The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-12-19

being overloaded, No arrived 30 late at tht
hotel where the passengers usually dine
that II gave Us 90 little time, only . few at.
tempted to eat anything
sAs aunt Mansfield has not dined,' said
Florence to her mother in low voice, chad
! not better put a slice Of ham upon the ia.
ble?'
Certainly, if your aunt wishes it, she re.
piled in voice which she took little pains
to suppress-sbut we are not in the habit Of
placing ham upon the tea table,
q would not have you depart from youl
usual custom on my account said Mrs. Sin
clar. 81 do not wish q better meal than
can make on bread and butter and tea.'
Melissa and T. said Mrs. Harden, make
point Of keeping very plain table wher
Mr.. Harden is absent, and what We save in
that way we apply to charitable purposes
Perhaps yon are one of those who do moi
think it proper to give to the poor, lest il
should encourage pauperism.
"a widow she replied, who has nothing
but what she earns with her own hands, may
oftener possess the will than the means Of
relieving the destitute. have, however,
sometimes, in humble way, been able to
impart relief so as to leave smiles on those
faces which have found dimmed with tears.
A girl now appeared at the door and re-
quested Mrs. Harden to step into the adjoin-
ing apartment, as she wished to speak with
her. e
SWELL, speak, said her mistress, Il am
ready to hear what you have to say.'
The girl blushed and hesitated, and then
approaching her, addressed her in low
voice. @ H-f s
Il suppose said she, sas you have got
company must put the tea urn and the gilt
china upon the table, a
Sand suppose you must do no such thing,
said Mrs. Harden, in petulent tone of voice,
though so low she imagined it could not
reach the ears of her unwelcome guest
Let one piece be broken, and the whole set
is spoiled 80 -
sWan, ayS'. know what to make Of your
mother, she is so full of whims,' said the
girl to Florence, who was assisting her, sshe
told me the other day to put the gilt china
on the table whenever any real ladies and
gentlemen were here, and if that aunt OF
yours isu't real lady, am no judge
When they were seated at the table, Mrs.
Harden filled white china cup with broken
handle, resting in blue and white saucer,
with tea, and handed it to Mrs. Sinclair.
The other cups and saucers were of a
similar description, being evidently the rel
les of several demolished tea sets.
Mrs. Sinclair requested Florence, who &C.
companied her to her bed chamber, to fur
nish her with writing materials, and before
she retired to rest she wrote an explanatory
note to Mrs. Mansfield, to prevent her from
forwarding her baggage, and to request hcr
leave to make use of any articles of clothing
contained in her trunk which she might need.
Mrs. Sinclair had been in her room only
few minutes, when Mrs. Howell, who lived
a1actly opposite the Eagle Hotel, was seen
approaching the house. Melissa ran and
met her ut the gate. -... ...-
sYou cannot think how glad mother and
wero when We saw you coming said she,
'for soon after tea We saw splendid car
riags and pair Of elegant chestnut horses
drive by and as We expect they went to the
hotel, we thought that you might possibly
know something about them.' 80
Yes, l have gathered q few particulars,
she replied, (which have come on purpose
to>tell you.' .
Mrs. Harden now appeared at the door,
and welcomed Mrs, Howell with great cor.
diality.
Mrs. Howell does know something about
the people who passed by in that superb
carriage said Melissa.
q knew so,' said Mrs. Harden. sWhat is
their namc.'
sEvering.' ...... ...
"A family party, suppose said Mrs.
Harden.
'Yes, and consisting of Mr.. Evering and
his wife, and their son and daughter
SIS Mr.. Eyering rich?' enquired Melissa.
'As nabob, and the son, whose name il
Willard and Eliza the daughter, will proba-
bly, have at least million of dollars each.'
'Where do they belong?' said Mrs. Har-
den. E.
sAh, that is the thing came to tell you.
They reside in H, the very town where
Melissa's rich aunt, Mrs. Sinclair lives.
sAs likely as not they are well acquainted
with her, said Mrs. Harden.
THAT is what think, , replied Mrs Howell,
sand this probability, will, in my opinion,
afford plausible plea for you making some
advances towards cultivating an acquaint-
ance with them.' --r = -.
sBut are they going to remain here long
enough for such step?' inquired Mrs. Har-
den.
sob, yes, l am told they intend to remain
ten or twelve days.
q have just hit upon nice plan,' said
Melissa.
sWhat is it9' inquired her mother and Mrs.
Howell both at once. .sa
sWhy If they should spend the Sabbath in
town, they will, of course like to attend
Church, and they will undoubtedly receive
it as very polite mark of attention should
we offer them seats in our pew
"A better plan could not be thought of, !
said Mrs. Howell. sIt will naturally open
the way to better acquaintance
1T would be as you say, an excellent
plan,' said Mrs. Harden, 'were it not for one
thing.'
sWhat can that be?' inquired Mrs. Howell.
sWhy Florence's evil genius that is always
at her elbow, believe, must put it into her
head that it would be very amiable in her
to ask her aunt Mansfield to make US visit.
She accordingly importuned her father, till
she obtained his leave to send for her.
sIIer aunt Mansfield? why that must be
the poor widow | have heard you speak
about, who obtains her living BY sewing
'The very same, and would you believe it9
she lives in H., and should not be sur
pTlSeU II TIC LVcIluSo AuoW hoI W oiSuSS "a
as far as know to the contrary, they may
be among her employers
HAS she arrived yet?'
sYes, she came this afternoon in the stage,
replied Mrs. Harden. sYou will see at once,
that it will be impossible to invite the Ever.
ings to sit in the same pew with person Of
her standing
sBut you forgot that We have two pews,
said Melissa.
$50 we have,' replied her mother. You
reeollect the pew, Mrs. Howell where Phebe
and Matty and Patrick sit. Mr.. Harden
purchased it on purpose for our hired help,
and Florence and her aunt can sit there for
once. Can you see any impropriety in such
nm arrangement, Mrs. Howell2
sNot the least in the world
sNor l., said Melissa. 1t is true the pew
10 rather near the door, which would, ~
imngine, make it rather agreeable this warm
weather on account of the air. The only
difference beside is that it 10 not carpetted
and cushioned and lined with crimson vel
vet, like the one where We Sit
E (which this Troublesome aunt Mansfield
not being accustomed to will probably moi
even notice. said Mrs. Howell. But some
people who have no luxuries at home, are
sbo moak exactinr and cOnse0ueutial OF any