Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-09
THAT BRACELET DINNER.

When the Williamsons came the scene
in Ketchem's magnificent parlor changed.
The countenances that moment before
were shrouded in clouds of gloom and vex-
alton, were at once radiant with the BEAM
ing sunlight of smiles, and the real heart
the deceitful heart was washed and the
hand of hospitality, friendship and socia-
bility held forth. A thousand times this
same thing has been done; deceit is the
mask that hides abundant corruption.
The Williamsons were warmly welcomed
and anxious inquiries were made after their
welfare, and expressions of thankfnlness, for
their, visitwere given over and over again
secretly they were most heartily wished
away.
Mrs. Ketchem excused herself from the
company, went to her room and procured
her costly bracelet, next she called Eaton
aside and commissioned him to 90 straight
way to the Pawnbroker's and deposit it for
a sum with which he was to procure from
Mons Drttenbrook's Saloon dinner for
the company, bill of fare was given him
by the lady and final injunction
."Do you keep your mouth shut, Eaton"
ayes num-"
And away went Eaton on his errand,
wondering, ssyat.tlessaints an Croeus do
Kctchems war comm to-" and more, what
reason there was for the commotion he had
witnessed during the morning, and more
especially what reason there was in hterG-
tire for hurting the octave at his unlitera-
ry pate. These are similar reflections oc-
cupied his mind on his way to the Pawn
brokers and until he returned with th(
choice viands for the dinner.
He made as much haste as a reflective
Ethiopian usually makes, but owing to th'
fact that he had late start he was late il
getting back, very much after the fashiona
bic dinner hour in fact.
Eaton was soundly scolded by Rhods
. the cook, for his laziness as she called
and snatched the viands from him, sayin
! he "would be after starvin' the gentil folk
right out to death" Now, | may tell yO
. more about this same Rhoda, the cook, b.
y fore we are done, but if it should so ia
=, out that'I do not, let me assure you th;
you need not regret it over much.
While Eaton was absent the Misses Wi
|. liamsons were agreeably entertained by 9
= animated conversation upon balls, opera
,s dress and fashion. | would like to tt
-, you great many things that was said al
! how it all was said, but it was of that p
- culiar kind of conversation which alwa
- was very unbearable with Inc, and | a
81 sure it would not be profitable to either
~ us to have it all rehearsed here. All we
- smoothly enough until the hour for dim
arrived, but when the mantle clock annou
=, ced that it was an hour beyond the fas
ny ionable dining hour, the company or,
= restless, as poor people and rich people, a
On fashionable and questionable people a
90 all naturally inclined. One of the Mis-
Williamsons even ventured to slip her tin
i gold watch from its resting place to ma
sure the clock was honest. Miss Clara s
the movement and her pale face becal
bo suffused with flush. A restlessness see
,rv ed to gather upon all. Conversation or
of laborious for "who can be merry beyo
the dinner hour" Mrs. Ketchem ape
nv gised for the lateness of her dinner 6
-
yis against the dilatory cook! AT length
nor welcome ring of the dinner bell was he;
= and the company was not long in obey
i its summons. 1t was splendid reps
lo the sum obtained on the bracelet had fl
q 70 ished them with a savory dinner!
The Misses Williamsons praised \
ittv ketchcm's excellent viands, while she, /
est soul! agreed so far as to say that
tch- cook, Rhoda, was quite an adept in
her business, only rather slow at time.
viands were praised and repraised as
his disappeared from before them, and on
left the visitors passed the most fattering
comium upon Mrs. Ketchem's feast.
,ook said they were far superior to anything
hon had ever seen at any of the fancy
beat from the far famed establishment of NJ
nur- Drittenbrook There was no allusior
tended in this but it brought blush I
little all the Ketchems present, except Ea
r in The Miss Williamson saw this and tt
cold ing it was attributable to the sensitive 1
esty Of the Ketchem family repented :
the she had said and to make amends con-
nv is ed what she had said by her sister.
essa- They ate the dinner of the bracelet
fool talked as only fashionable ladies can I
ara's the Wilhamsons asked questions, "
5 she were answered when answerable, by
and Ketchems, while Eaton wondered il