Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-12-17
GQlurtcsttr Daily Spp.
THE HON0RED GUEST,

"Wel, said |, one fine morning last week
81 have the prospect Of a leisure atternoon-a
somewhat unusual thing with me-and, all be-
ing well l will do little needful shoppinp.
call and pass an hour with my Old friend Mrs.
AshburtOn, whom, on account of the distance
have neglected of late; and then drop in to
take friendly cup of tea with my niece Clara
Whitford"
Having completed my household arrange
ments, accordingly set out after an early
dinner, and the shopping done, made my first
call. Mrs. Ashburton's warm welcome, pleas
ant talk, and cheerful fireside, would have
proved strong temptations to induce me to ac-
cept her invitation to remain for the evening.
had | not felt anxious to see my niece, whose
residence was much nearer my own.
On arriving at Claras door, | was but a lit
tie surprised to see no light in the front part of
the house. 81 am afraid they are from home"
thought /, with regretful mental glance back
ward at the pretty home picture had lust left.
But l was mistaken. A servant came in an
swer to my ring at the door-bell, and, ushering
me into the dining-room, lighted the gas, and
went to summon her mistress. | had ample
time to look about me before Clara made her
appearance, and could not help admiring the
perfect order and good taste which prevailed
III both the apartment and its furniture. |
when unmarried did not promise to become
very notable as a housewife.
was beginning to tire Of waiting-as, after
my brisk walk over, felt chilly in the fireess
room-when Clara entered, fastening little
article OF dress, evidently just assumed Her
greeting was most cordial; and yet there was
shade OF regret in her Tone when, our first
salutation over, she said "Why, my dearaunt
did you not let me know you were coming,
and should have been better prepared to re-
Ceive you 2"
Surely, Clara" replied, "no preparation
Is needed before you can bestow a cup of tea
on so near relative as l am. Pray do not
make my friendly call into a ceremonious visit
or l shall be tempted to run away again, in
place of waiting until after tea, and begging
Mr.. Whittord's escort home"
pray, dear aunt, do not think of such
thing. will light this fire in moment, and
the room will soon be warm and comfortable"
SO saying, Clara was about to apply light
between the bars of the CRATE, when | stopped
her
you must have fire somewhere, my dear"
said; "and where you were sitting when l
arrived, will, am sure, suit me best. If / am
to disturb any Of your arrangements, l will
leave you forthwith"
"Then, if So aunt, you will have to excuse
my taking you INTO the nursery"
Anywhere to a warm fireside, Clara; but
is Mr.. Whitford from home 2"
''NO, aunt, he is here, replied my niece, her
color rising as she spoke.
laughingly congratulated her on her hus-
bands liking for the company of her firstborn
but, perceiving no evidence of pleasure on her
countenance, asked if the baby were we'll
"Oh, yes, quite so, thank you, aunt To say
the truth, it is my doing that we are in the
nursery tonight, and Frederick is not too well
pleased about it; but it saves so much trouble,
and the other rooms have just been cleaned and
put in order. But do not say a word" she
added, as she opened the nursery door.
My nephew advanced, shook me warmly by
the hand, and then turning to Clara said 81
hope, my deaf, you do not intend to make your
aunt nursery guest. If you do shall not
wonder if her visits become still more rare"
fastened to assure him that l had been
brought there at my own request, and begged
no difference might be made; but, quietly
ringing the bell, he desired servant to light
the dining-room fire, and bring word when it
was well burnt. Clara bit her lip, and looked
red and uncomfortable, whilst |, feeling still
more so, occupied myself in admiring the baby
l could, however, distinguish easily enough
two or three little articles which convinced me
that tea equipage had just been removed; and
certainly, this was not what | should have ex-
pected to see in Clara's home, knowing the
comfortable and even affluent income of her
husband. felt sorry my unceremonious visit
should have produced such an alteration in the
arrangements; for l could tell, from the pro-
duction of sundry keys, etc, etc, that many
articles not in common use were to be brought
out and the evening meal deferred on my ac-
count Besides this, l felt grieved at Mr..
Whitford S ill-conceaed veXation, not displayed
towards me, but his wife
AT length we were summoned to the dining
room; and truly a wonderful change had been
effected there. A bright fire illuminated
every corner; an elegant tea equipage was
on the table, in short, everything looked-as
had hoped at first to find tin accordance
with the position Of the owners. Moreover,
the pleasant aspect of affairs banished the
cloud from Mr.. Whitford's face and so agreea.
bly, did the time pass, that l quite regretted
when obliged to bid my niece good night"
Good night, dear aunt, said Clara, affec-
tionately kissing me edo come again very
soon, but do let me know when to expect you"
And then" added Mr.. Whitiord after the
door was closed, the dining room fire will be
lighted before your arrival Dear aunt what
do you think of Clara's new notions respecting
domestic economy! When we were first mar.
ried, she was rather ignorant of household
matters ROW we are so exceedingly orderly
and careful, that everything is too good to
use. The drawing room first became so; then
the dining room underwent a thorough reno
walton; and the nursery, resorted to for tenn
porary convenience during the repairs, has
become our regular abode, the others only
being used on state occasions. Probably
our next remove will be into the kitchen L
go into other houses, and find that their mas
iDtrOdupn a friend Of limo al,
the certainty of causing no embarrassment
In my home, on the contrary, the call of rel
alive even produces quite a domestic revolu-
ton for plate, china, in fact everything pre-
sentable, is laid up in lavender, like the rooms
wish you would say something to Clara on
the subject as | know you possess great infiu-
ence in that quarter"
Have you named the matter, Frederick 2"
/ asked
Oh, yes, thousand times, think; but l
cannot effect any change. trust you will be
more successful"
81 will try, at any rate" said l, as took
leave of my nephew-in-law.
Having thought over the matter, arranged
my plan of operation. ! decided it would be
better to try the effect Of an opposite picture
on Clara's mind, before giving utterance 10 anv
remOnstrance, for | well knew that voung
housewives do not generally relish the pointed
interference of their elders. | therefore called
for Clara-having previously given her due
notice of my intention-to accompany me in a
long ramble and contrived to be near Mrs.
Ashburton's just as tea-time was approaching.
and we were thoroughly tiredN
"Clara," said /, "what is to prevent our OBJ
tanning rest and refreshment? / can insure
you welcome to both, and, besides, you are
not quite stranger to Mrs. Ashburton"
"Oh, dear aunt could not think of such n