The Placer herald., 1857-11-07
A Genuine Surprise PARTY.

One OF our wealthy citizens, residing on
Broadway, is known to have numerous &C.
centricties the most familiar of which, from
a recent event, is his antipathy to all assem-
blies-particularly in his own house. Seve-
raj fair relatives, composing part of his house
hold, had used all their eloquence to obtain his
permission to have party-just one; but the
old gentleman was obdurate. He would take
the girls to Europe, to Saratoga, or Newport,
or Nahant-get them new sets of jewelry-
anything but that. The young ladies almost
dies spaired; but finally bethought them of OBJ
tanning by stratagem what they could not
procure by persuasion, for their hearts were
fixed upon party, and party they must
have
The old gentleman was in the habit Of re
firing very early and sleeping very soundly,
and the girls determined to send out invita-
tons without his knowledge believing that
none of the guests would arrive until their
venerable relative was in the embrace Of
Somnus
Extensive preparations were the result.
An effort was made to give one of the most
recherche parties of the season. The beauti-
ful and brilliant, the gay and fashionable,
the witty and elegant, were "bldden to the
feast" They came, the luxurious drawing
rooms were splendid with gas light and dia-
monds, loveliness and gallantry. The air
was rich with perfumes of Paris and flowers,
and the most melodous voices chattered and
gossiped, and hundreds of fairy feet swept
through the dance, and the swell of music
was upon the evening air, when sudden
and dreadful apparition started the "merrie
companie" as if it had been the hideous Red
Death of Poe.
The laugh and love tone was hushed,
blood sutfused the cheeks and nude necks of
the ladies'; the dance stood still; the nstru
ments 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 of Don Giovanni, or was it sheet
ed form from a gaping gravel
BY degrees the vision gathered shape, and
looked as a thing of earth. The figure was
that of the 'head Of the family" with no
superfous clothing upon his limbs, unless a
single garment could be so considered, stand
ing there with cane in hand and wrath upon
his brow.
He advanced into the drawing room and
began swearing Ike 1eilPar, ana slooh
his can above his head as if he would ami
hilate somebody His model artistic costume
seemed to strike the fair guests with horror;
they covered their faces and screamed. Old
gent swore the louder, and moving further
into the apartments, general stampede took
place Ottomans and chairs were ovcrturn-
ed, and in 20 seconds the late crowded rooms
were deserted.
Carriage after carriage rolled away in rapid
succession, and the house was soon darkened,
and, to all appearances, deserted.
The fair relatives of the wealthy humorst
departed from the city the next evening after
this contretemps and have not since returned
The affair is still laughed at On Fourth
street, and the color brghtens upon the
cheek of more than one belle, when she is
asked to relate her experience at thesurprise
party. Cincinnati Gazette.