True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-02-06
The Unknown Guest.

/ my mercnant--ln conformity Win IN
custom Of the times-gave dinner par
ty to afew gentlemen, among whom wa
"a member Of Congress of that PERIOD
On the appointed day, however, the lad!
Of the house was somewhat annoyed, a
an early hour, by the intrusion of an OLE
man at the door. Having been met by
servant, he inquired if the proprietor o
the house, whom we call Mr.. Topham
was at home. Upon receiving anegativ'
reply and being furthermore Informed
that he would not be at home for three OF
four hours. the old man said, We'll, then
being as / am here, l may az well remair
until he comes please wait moment,
said the servant; i will call Mrs. Top
ham to the door, and see what she will
say The servant then ran and called
the merchants wife who made her ap
pearance. The old man tlren repeated
what he had said to the servant, that be.
ing as he was there he might as wellre.
main until the husband came. "Well,"
replied Mrs. T., if you will stay, JUS
walk through the alley, and 60 back tc
the kitchen and take a seat Nothing
launled, the old man obeyed orders, and
passed from the alley to the kitchen,
where he found Mrs. Il. and the servants
busy ingaged in preparing dinner. Sup
posing him some old man seeking en-
plovment, Mrs. T. was free in calling in.
to requisilion his services in her work OF
preparing dinner, and he was equally will
ling and ready to renderall assistance pos,
sible. odd man, said she, suppose you
take the bucket, 60 to the hydrant, and
draw us some water He at once and
readily complied with the request. 'Old
man." again said she, Suppose you as
sst me little in preparing dinner, as we
give dinner party to-day and are much
hurried indeed. Just peel a few potatoes,
if you please. No sooner was the request
made than the 'olG man got 10 work peel
ing potatoes with right goodwill. AT
ter all things were sufficiently advanced
10 release Mrs. II. from further supervi.
sion, she went into her chamber TO ar,
range her toilet 10 receive her husbands
guests. At the proper time her husband
came in, and then one by one, came those
who were 10 dine with them on that day.
In due time all arrived but one-the M.
c. Mr.. Topham then began 10 express
his surprise at the absence of the Virgin
ia representative, as he thought he would
certainly have been one Of the first, ifnot
the first, To make his appearance, know
ing that his dinner hour at home was an
early one. When about coming 10 the
conclusion that the Virginia NJ. G. would
fail to make his appearance, Mrs. It's
memory, which seemed 10 have proved
rather treacherous, became effnlgent, and
she acquainted her husband with the fac
that there was an old man in the kitchen
who had been waiting TO see him for the
last three or four hours. Mr.. T. imme
diately repaired 10 the kitchen TO ascer'
tain the mans wants, when 10 and be.
hold whom should he find but Mr.. G
himself! Astonished beyond measure
and with confused utterance, he exclaim
ed, why. how came you here?' HI
simply replied, 4 was invited to the kitcll
en- by your wife, and as | came much be
fore your dinner hour, have been ma
king myself useful Mr.. II. al once In
vited him and accompanied him into thu
parlor, and introduced him to his wifi
and guests as the "Hon. Robert Ruther
ford of Virginia" The lady's feeling
can be better imagined by the reader, thai
described by the writer; but the balance
of the day passed of pleasantly, savin
the lady's abashment resulting from no
recognizing the "Virginia member of Con
gress."