The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-09-29
The Honored Guest.

L.
s.Well," said |, one fine morning last week
I have the prospect Of leisure afternoon
sonatWhat unusual thing to me-and, al
being we'll will do little needful shopping
call and pass an hour or two with my old fricnc
Mrs. Ashburton, whom on account qf the dis
tance, | have neglected of late: and then DROP
IN and take A friendly cup Of tea with my niece
Clara Whtford''
g. Having completed my household arrange
men;s, l accordingly set out, after an early
dinner and. the shopping done, made my frs'
call Mrs. Ashburton's warm welcome, pleas.
ant talk. and cheerful treside. would have
| proved strong temptations to induce me TO as.
sent to 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 little
surprised to see no light in the front part OF
the house. lam afraid they are from home, -
thought |, with reyretful mental glance back
ward at the pretty home picture had just left
| But 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 admirng the
perfect order and good taste which prevailed in
both the apartment and its furniture l was
the more pleased to note this, as my niece, when
unmarried, did not promise to become a very
notable housewife.
was beginning to tire of waiting-as, my
brisk walk over, ict chilly in the tireless room
when Clara entered, fastening little article
of dress, evidently just assumed. Her rgrceting
was most cordial; and yet there was shade OF
regret in her tone when. our first salu,eions
over, she said: why, my dear aunt. did you
not let me know you were coming, and should
have been better prepared to receive you?"
''Surely, Clara replied. mo preparation
is needed, before you can bestow a cup of tea
on SO near relation as am. Pray, do not
make my friendly call into ceremonious visit,
or shall be tempted TO run away again, in
place of waiting until after tea, and begging
Mr.. Whitford's escort home"
pray, dear aunt, do not think OF such a
thing | will light this fire in a moment. and
the room will soon be warm and comfortable. y
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
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
me for taking you into the nursery"
ANY where to a warm freside, Clara; but
is Mr.. Whitford from home?'
No aunt, he is here" replied my niece, her
color rising as she spoke.
laushingly congratulated her on her hus-
bands liking for the company of his first born;
but percelving no evidence of pleasure on her
countenance, asked if the baby was we'll
"Oh. yes, quite so, thank you, aunt, To
say the truth it is my doing that we arc in the
nursery tonight, and Frederick is not too well
pleased about it; but it saves so much trouble.
and the.other rooms have jus, been cleaned and
putt order But do not say a word, "she added,
as she opened the nursery door.
Ny nephew advanced, shook me warmly BY
the hand, and then turning TO Clara, said: Il
hope, my dear, 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 / had been
brought there at my own request, and begged
no difference might be made. But, quietly
ringing the bell, he desired a servant to light
the dining room fire, and t@ing word when it
was well burnt. Clara bit her lip, and looked
red and uncomfortable. whilst |, feeling still
more so, occupied myself in admiling the baby
| could, however, distinguish easily enough two
or three little articles which convinced me that
tea equipage had just been removed; and Ger
tainly this was not what | should haye expec-
ted 10 STE in Clara's home, knowing the com
Portable, and even aff1uent income of her hus-
band. | felt sorry my unceremonious visit
should have produced such an alteration in the
arrangements; for could tell from the suniry
productions of keys, etc, etc, that many ari-
cts not in common use were to be brought out,
and the evening meal 10 be deferred on my
account. Besides this, I felt grievcd at Nj
WhItford's l-concealeyd vexation, not displayed
towards me, but his wife.
AT length we We're summoned to the dining
room: and truly wonderful change had been
affected there. A bright fire Illuminated every
corner; an elegant tea equipage was on the table:
in short, every thing looked-;ls | had hoped
at first to find tin accordance with the p1si-
ton of the owners. Moreover, the pleasant
aspect of affairs banShed the cloud from Mr.
face, and SO agreeably did the time
pass, that l quite regretted when obliged to bid
my niece good night
Good night, dear aunt" said Clara, afiec-
t1onately kissing me; "do come again very soon,
but do let me know when to expect you
And them" added Mr.. Whitford. after the
door was closed, "the dining room 6re will be
lighted before your arrival. Dear aunt what
do you think of Claras new notions respecting |
domestic economy? When we were first mar
Fled, she was rather ignorant of household |
matters; now we are SO exceedingly orderly |
and careful, that everything is too good to use
The drawing room first became 50; then the
dining room underwent thorough renovation;
and the nursery, resorted for temporary con
'enience during the repairs, has become our
regular abode, the others being used only on
state occasions. Probably, our next move will |
De into the kitchen. go to other houses and
ind that their masters can introduce a friend |
1t any time with the certainty of causing no
In my home, on the contrary,
he call of a relative even produces quite a do
nestle revolution; for plate china, in fact
.verything presentable, is laid up in lavender,