The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-05-02
A + A MILY OHM E R.
MY Friends Story.

MY lrenu IauSheG. II ou are rlght,"
he said; she is, as you say, very excel
lent lady, and | am as sincerely sorry for
having offended her as a man can be; but
] did offend her good many years ago,
and irrecoverable sank in her estimation.
Mrs. Robinson has never forgotten the Of
fence, and verify believe never will for
give it. On my word, am sorry, but it
cannot be helped
"And the offeucel"
Was very innocent one on my
part, l assure you; though can scarcely
think of it now without blush at my SUI
perlative simplicity. 1t taught me les
son though"
(which was"
"Ncver to accept a gentleman's invita-.
tion to a family dinner. III tell you all
about it," said my friend; and forthwith
he told the following tale:
1t was several years ago, as told you,
and had been some days in London-a
place, by the way, that hate like poison.
l had business to transact with Robinson,
and called at his office about noon.
dine at two precisely" said he, when
our business was concluded, "and if you'll
look in and take dinner with us quite in
family way"
Now Robinson, you know, is an old
friend OF our family; and that, one might
have said was sufficient warrant for his
invitation. Moreover, had been paying
him money, and that, perhaps might have
been considered a second warrant. And
at the back of these, Mr. and Mrs. Robin
son had spent a week, only the summer
before, at my fathers house in the coun-
try, where they had been entertained with
his accustomed hospitality. So, taking all
things into consideration, was weak e.
nough to clinche the invitation with an
acceptance, before | knew what | was a.
bout.
was rather vcyed directly afterwards,
though that [ had not refused for the
truth is, was hungry at the time, and
had planned to step at once from Robin
sons office to certain dining rooms in the
city.
Now, il there is one redceming feature
in London, it consists in its facilities for
eating and drinking. The very beau id cal
ofdining is to be attained only in London
dining room. don't care what you NAV
think of my taste; but for good meat and
well cooked, comfort, and freedom from
all ridiculous ceremony, a London dining
house against all the world.
1t happened that on that day | had
planned my dinner to fraction-where
to dine, what box to occupy, what joint
to fix upon, what vegetables, what pud-
ding, what cheese. | had deferred read
ing the morning paper that might look
at it there at my leisure. ! had foreor
dained my afternoon engagements also.
And all this was weak enough, as said
before, to set aside, to oblge friend Robin
son, by taking family dinner with him.
Well, rs left his office the church clock
opposite struck one, and had an hour
upon my hands. had call to make
two or three miles away; but to go there
and roturn punctually to Robinson's at
two o'clock precisely, was out of the aues-
ton; so had no resource but to sauntcr
away the tedious hour that interviewed.
/ passed my dining rooms with a sigh
OF recognition, stared in at the shop win
dows, walked down to Cheapside, entered
st. Iaul's Church yard, looked up at the
clock, and found that quarter of an hour
bad barely been consumed. To while n
way the succeeding half hour, I passed up
the steps and entered the north door of
the cathedral, deposited the demanded
two pence in the outstretched hand of the
Janitor, and sauntered among the monu-
ments timing my proceedings so well
that on retracing my steps and reaching
the door of Robnson's private residence,
the clock was on the point Of striking two.
" So far, WE'LL" thought; 81 shall not
be accused of keeping the family dinner
waiting at all events though dare say
my friend Robinson is got in by this time.
He said two precisely, remember" And
1 boldly rang the bell.
"Mr. Robinson is in, suppose 2" I ask
cd OF the servant, who answered the sum.
mons.
"No, sir, lie is not at home"
"Oh, he soon will be in, dare say; he
said he should be at home by two. Is
Mrs. Robinson within ?"
"Yes, sir. What name, sir 7"
And after these formaIities were duly
gone through with, | was ushered into a
small parl>r, and informed that Mrs. Rob
inson would abe down" directly.
Well, / sat and sat, and could not avoid
hearing hurrying and skurrying along
the passages, up stairs, and down stairs,
and for anything know, in my lady's
chamber. At length, after quarter of
an hours delay, during which time had
been nervously fdgeting about and long
ipg every moment to hear friend Robin
sons ring Of the bell, and foot in the pas
sage--the door slowly opened, and in
walked Mrs. Robinson. She was evident
ly-or rather as I guessed, though right
ly--been caught in dishakille, and has
been occupied ever since my arrival in
setting herself to righs, or whatever else
the ladies may call it. OF course, this did
not tend to make me welcome, though to
dc the lady justice, she was too we'll bred
70 show any particular signs Of displeas-
ure. -
On the contrary, indeed, she received
me with tolefabIe cordialiy--was glad to
see me AMI so Drth--inquired how long
1 had been in London, how friends were