Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-05-12

be sure my poverty and not my will consent
ed" to SO mean custom. 4 saw then where
happiness was to be found !; the rich monopo
lze it, and there is no catching even glimpse
or 1T unless you possess that golden key which
is the open sesame to their exclusive re-un-
IONS"
The discussion was interrupted by the an
nouncement Of Mrs. and the Miss Jenkenses y
MISS Jenetta, Miss Joanna, and Miss Jemima
Jenkins followed their mamma into the room
IN single file, like geese on common. and
with not little of that birds spiteful propen-
sites.
" How do you do my loves ?" asked Mrs.
Jenkins in her usual dignifed and patronising
manner. Mrs Clacket is out, | suppose p
Indeed, didn't expect to find any of you at
home on so sweet morning you shouldn't
nope so this fine summer weather; I always
insist on these children (the youngest was
twenty-seven) taking the air once day it
gives them fine healthy appearance, (they
were OF lamp-post like symmetry and coun-
teracts the effect of the late hours Of the nu-
merous gay parties they are forced into. You
are to be at Mr.. Kilwinings wedding to-mor-
row ?"
We have not received an invitation" said
| Ellen, bluShiDg from consciousness of the
| slight which she could not help feeling, and
in which she knew the Jenkenses would tri.
umph.
BLESS me, how very extraordinary |" ex-
claimed Mrs Jenkens, secretly exulting that
the matured charms of her daughters would not
have to compete with the sprightlineSs of Kate,
though as for the backward, awkward and re-
tiring Ellen, she scarcely vouchsafed her
| thought, \ Gou quite amaze me ! Poor things
| really feel for you. However, nv daughters,
Jenetta, Joanna and Jemima, shall call and
tell you all about it so, my dears, you must
just console yourselves with the wedding at
second hand. Jemima has great talent for
imitation which enables her most alnusinely to
take off all her acquantances so she will give
you the airs and graces of the bride to the life;
and tho this is decided slight should say
almost an insult-don't take it to heart, dears:
| promise you you shall be at wedding when
my girls are married "A safe promise By
the by Miss Kate, have you heard the rank
Of the bride ?"
Il have not heard" said Kate, who, from
Mrs Jenkens' volubility, was allowed to say
very little
Dear me, you know nothing p observed
Mrs jenkins, who prided herself on knowing
everything. "Well, then, can tell you ; it is
young foreign countess-a sudden liking, quite
similar affair to the Emperor Napoleons
choice of the Countess Theba. Of course you
know Miss Ellen for You have been more at
home than your sister, that Mr. Kilwinirg is
very eccentric ?"
i know nothing more of Mr. Kilwining,"
said Ellen, than to feel convinced that who
ever his bride may be, she will justify his
choice"
| "Oh, of course, Of course and that's very
i generous Of you," impertinently observed Mrs
Jenkens, " considering you are not invited
Then Mr. kwining, being so exceedingly
rich, may do just as he pleases It's quite an
afectaton his living in that small house op-
i posite bat he does so many out Of the wav
/ things-for instance, his sending twenty pounds
to old lame Nelly, who had her cottage burned
down last week buty you don't know that either
| suppose ?"
Oh, yes, do too, know that" provoking
/ II replied Ellen. Mr. Kilwinins happen
ed to ask me some questions about poor old
Nelly on our way home from church last Sun
day"
"Oh indeed !" dryly remarked Mrs Jenkens,
with something of the feeling which an unex-
pected check at chess gives the hitherto attack
ing party. i was not aware that Mr. Xii
wining was in the habit of conversing with you
as you came out of church But good-by
loves remember US to dear Mrs Clacket =
Jenette, Joanna and Jemima, shall each save
you little bit OF bride cake so keep up your
spirits"
Now confess" said Kate, when they were
gone; isn't it mortifying, Ellen, that Mr.
kilwining should have omitted US in bis invita-
tions, thereby dcprEng you of one scene of
gaiety at least that seemed to be within your
reach 2"
Mo-" replied Ellen, half reluctantly
AS for me-" continued Kate in an exulting
yet mortified tone 4 am thankful that We
shall be spared the infction-the wedding
breakfast viii be tiresome thing, and of course,
altogether, it will be dreadful dull affair
And for my own part, I'd much rather remain
at home, but for the inpertinence Of that pom
pous, patronisiug Mrs Jenkens, with her Prim,
perpendicular daughters, looking for all the
world Ike half animated thread papers with
silk outside"
Girls" said Mrs Clacket, the mamma,
bursting into the room out of breath, card case
in hand, Just returned from round of gossip
ing morning calls" girls, 90 and look out your
lavender silks and white lace polkas directly
/ trust they're not too shabby for the OCCASION"
continued she, graSping and throwing herself
into chair / an most anxious you should
make good appearance l don't mind few
shillings for ribbons. Your patent leather
shoes of course will do, and your open work
thread stockings are the very thing. Do you
hear me? Have You no regard for the feelings
Of mother? Will you go and look up the
lavender silks ?"
But what for, mamma ?" asked both girls
st once
"It was mistake Mr. kilwining says-I
net him Just now-that We were the fist on
the list of invitations the card has evidently
been kept back through envy or mistake-the