The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-08-21
... From the Cincinnati Gazette.
A Genuine Surprise Party.

A Genuine Surprise Party.
One of our wealthy citizens, residing
on Broadway, is known to have numer-
Gus eccentricitics, the most familiar OF
which, from recent event, is his anti
pathy to all assemblies, particularly in
his own house. Several fair relatives,
composing part of his household, had
used all their eloquence to obtain his
permission to a party, just one but the
old gentleman was obdurate. He would
take the girls to Europe, or Saratoga, OF
Newport, or Nabaut, get them new sets
of jcwelry-anything but that. The
young ladies almost despaircd; but
finally bethought them of obtaining by
stratagem what they could not procure
by persuasion; for their hearts were fix
ed upon party, and q party they must
have. sg- .,.sb .sa1g..s( Sc sss=sfs.l5
The old gentleman was in the habit
of retiring very early and sleeping very
soundly, and the girls determined to
send ou: invitations without his knowl.
edge; believing that none of the guests
would arrive until the venerable relative
was in the embrace of Somnus. .-.
Extensive preparations were the re-
suit; an effort was made to give one OF
the most recherche parties of the season.
The beautiful and brilliant, the gay and
fashionable, the witty and elegant were
"bidden to the FEAST" They came
The luxurious drawing-rooms were
splendid with gas light and diamonds,
loveliness and gallantry. The air was
rich with perfumes of Paris and flowers;
and the most cultivated and melodious
voices chattcd and gossipped 4; and hun
dreds of fairy feet swept through the
dance; and the swell of music was up
on the evening air; when of sudden
a dreadful apparition startled the "mer-
rie companie' as if it had been the
hideous Red Death of Poe.
The laugh and love tone were hushcd
blood suffused the cheeks and nude
necks of the ladies'; the dance stood
still the instruments forgot their airs
and died in sudden silence. What was
that horrid shape. The ladies pointed
their white fingers and gazed wildly at
the door. Was it another ghost like
that in "Don Giovanni ;" or was it a
shected form from a gaping grave?
BY degrees, the vision gathered shape,
and looked as thing of earth. The
figure was that Of the ''head of the
family" with no superhuous clothing
upon his limbs, unless a single garment
could be so considered, standing there
cane in hand and wrath upon his brow.
He advanced into the drawing room
and began swearing like Templar, and
shook his cane above his head as if he
would annihilate somebody. His model
artistic costume seemed to strike the fail
guests with horror they covered theil
faces and screamed. Old gent swore
the louder, and moving further into the
apartments, a general stampede took
place. Ottomans and chairs were over.
turned, and in twenty seconds the lately
crowded rooms were deserted.
Carriage after carriage rolled away il
rapid succession, and the house was
soon dar1ened, and to all appearances
deserted.
The fair relatives of the wealthy hu
morist departed from the city the mex
evening after this contre-ten.ps, and have
not since returned.
The affair is still laughed at OH Fourtl
street, and the color brightens upon thu
cheek of more than one belle, when sh'
is asked to relate her experience at th'
surprise party.