Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-20
YaAisS' 9tpartmsnt.
The Honored Guest.
4 SHORT CHAPTER FOR WIVES

week, Il nave the prospect OF a fetsuIe al
ternoon-a somewhat unusual thing with
mc-and, all being we'll 7 wiz do a little
needful shopping; call and pass an hour
with my old friend Mrs Ashburton, whom
on account Of the distance, | have neglec-
ted Of late and then drop in to take a
friendly cup oftca with my niece, Clara
Whitiord"
Having completed my household arrange
mcntS ! accordingly set out, after an ear
y dinner and the shopping done, made
first call. Mrs. Ashburton's warm welcome,
pleasant talk, and cheerful fireside, would
have proved strong temptations to induce
me TO accept her invitation to remain for
the evening, had / not felt anxious to see
my niece, whose residence wasmuch near
or my own.
On arriving at Clara's door, | was a lit
t1e surprised TO see no light in the front
part of the house. II am afraid they arc
from hcme,n thought ], with a regretful
mental glance backward at the pretty home
picture / had Just left. But | was mista-
ken. A servant came, in answer to my
ring at the door-bell, and ushering me in
20 the dining Foom, lighted the gas, and
went to summon her mistress. ! had am
pie time to look about me before Clara
admirIhg the perfect order and good taste
which prevailed IN both the apartment and
its furniture. ! was the more pleased to
note this, rs my niece, when unmarried,
did not promise to become very notable as
a housewife.
! was beginning to tire Of waiting-as,
my brisk walk over / felt chilly 10 the fire.
less room-w6en Clara entered, fastening
q little article of dress, evidently Just assn
gned. Her greeting was most cordial yet
there was a shade of regret in her tone,
when, our FIRST salutations over, she said
"Why, my dear aunt did you not let me
know you were coming, and | should have
been better prepared to receive youp
"Surely Clara" | replied, mo preparation
is needed before you can bestow a cup Of
tea on so near q relative as | am. Pray
do not make my friendly cali into \ cerc-
monions visit; or | skall be tempted to
run away again, in place Of waiting for
Tea, and begging Mr.. Whitford's escort.
home"
"PraJ, dear aunt, do not think Of such
q thing. / will light this fire in a moment,
and the room will soon be warm and com-
fortable.n
So saying, Clara was about to apply a
light between the bars Of The crate, when
l stopped her,
"You must have n FIRE somewhere, my
dear ! said aud where you were sitting
when | arrived, will, | am sure, suit me the
best. If l ASA 10 disturb any of your ar
engagements, l will leave you forthwith"
Then, if 80, aunt, you will have to ex-
cuse my taking you into the nursery"
Anywhere 10 a warm freside, Clara 4;
but is Mr.. Whitford from home 2"
"No, aunt, he is here" replied my niece,
her color rising as she spoke.
] Nughingly congratulated her on her
husbands liking for the company Of his
first thorn but pcrceiving no evidence oil
pleasure on her countenancc, | asked if the
baby was well.
"Oh yes, quite so, thank you, aunt. TIC
say truth, il is my doing that we are in the
nursery tonight, aud Frederick is not toe
well pleased about it but it saves so much
trouble, and the other rooms have Just
been cleaned and put in order. But dc
not say a word" she added, as she opened
the nursery door.
Ny ncwphew advanced, shook me warm,
" by the hand, and then, turning to Clara
said a." | hope, my dear, you do not in
tend to make yonr aunt a nursery guest
If YOU do, ! shall not wonder if her visit
become still more rare"
FASTENED 10 assure him that | hat
been brought there at my " request, an,
begged no difference might be made bu
quietly ringing the ben, he desired a SCI
want to light the dining-room fire, an
bring word when il was well burnt. Clar
bi. her lip, and looked red and uncomfort
able, while ], feeling still more so, occu
pied myself in admiringthc baby. | could
however distinguish easily enough two O
three little articles which convinced m
that a tea cquipage had been removed
and certainly this was not what | shout
have expected to see in Clara's HON,
knowing the comfortable and even afluer
income Of her husband. ] felt sorry m
uncercmonious visit should have produce
such an alteration in the arrangements
for ! could tell, from the production of SUI
dry keys, etc, etc, that many articles M
Uncommon use were to be brought out, an
the evening meal deferred on my accoun
Besides this, | felt gricved at Mr.. VIII
ford's il-conccaled vexation, not dispIayC
towards me but his wife.
At length VI were summoned to the d
ning-room and truly a wonderful chang
had been effected there. A bright fire
Illuminated every corner; an elegant t,
cquipage was on the table; in short. ev
rythiug lookcd-as | had hoped at first
find tin accordance with position of Il
owners. Moreover the pleasant aspect
affairs banishcd the cloud from Mr.. VIII
ford's face, and so agreeably did the tin
pass, that | quite regretted when oblig
to bid my niece "good night"
"Good night dear aunt" said Clara,
fectionately kissing me do come aga.
very soon, but do let me know when to {
pect YOU"
"And then" added Mr.. Whitford, aft
the door was closed, "the dining.room Fl
will be lighted before your arrival. Dc
aunt, what do you think Of Clara's new I
tons respecting domestic economy9 WI
We were first married, she was rather igr