The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-11-26
'"" UT I|"H"oN IHWtTY UtfulV.
"NOT AT HOME.n

'' o''o h'HHng. They were
fashionable women, aud Of course making
fashionable calls.
! Mrs. Gra:'d's first impulse was to be 'not
NJ nome, y rs she felt somewhat indisposed
but, on second thought, she con.rved to in
fuse little animation into her features, and
crcpt downstairs. The lalies, however,
were SO cordial and SO chat'v, that Mrs
Grand did not regret having made the ef:
fort.
Conversation for once took an unexpected
turn, and instead of wasting cx,analions
upon that Mrs. Upl,am's ex,ravagant bon
net, or Miss Smith, the little hr,'s new
moirc a"tiq"e, the theme was, Not at
holnc.'
Mrs. Granger declared she coull see no
harm in such il very little white lie for in
one sense people were not at lomc-to
company! She found it most convenient
excuse for borcs, and if she had Il headache,
or wanted day for herself, s!,. did not
scruplc 10 use it.
81 shall remember that" said Mrs. GRAY.
laughing.
"Oh to my intimate friends am, Of
course, always ut honic," replied Mrs. Grang-
er, blu>hng scarlct-"but now confess, YOU
dear little piece Of proprietv, that YOU use
this suLterfuge occasionally. You certainly
cannot always see your immense circle Of
visitors at lomc.'
81 certainly cannot" said Mrs. Gray ;"but
| believe never sent that message TO the
door but once, and for that oncr," she con-
tinued, Il painful look crossing her face, Il
shall never forgive myself. 1t was more
than three years ago and when told my
servant that morning to say, Not at home"
10 whomSoevcr might call, except she knew
1t was some intimate friend. frl, my checks
ingle, and the girls look Of surprise mor,i-
fied me exceedingly. But she went about
her duties, ard l about mine, sometimes
pleased that had adopted convenient
fashion 10y which could secure more time
to myself, sometimes painfully smiten with
the reproaches of my conscience. Thus the
day wore away, and when Mr., Gray came
home, he startled inc with the news that a
very dear and intimate friend WAS dead
1T cannot be-" was my reply, 'for Sc
cxaced Of me solemn promise that
would, alone, sit by her dying pillow, as she
had a secret of great importance TO reveal
to me. You must be misinformed; no one
has been for me"-here suddenly horrible
suspicion crossed my mind. "She cent for
You, but you were not at home,' said Mr.
Gray, innoccntly; then he continued, IL am
sorry for Charles, her husband; lie thinks
her distress was much aggravated by your
absence, from the fact that she called your
name ptcously. lie would have sought for
you, but yur servant said she did not know
where you were gone. am sorry. You
must have been out longer than usual, for
Charles sent servant over here three times"
''Ncvcri in all my life did I experience
such loathing ofmyself, such utter humilia-
,ion. My servant had gone further than l,
in adding falsehood to falselood, ami had
placed it ont Of my power to reprovc her BY
my own. equivocation. felt humLled to
the very dust, and the next day resolved,
over the cold clay Of my friend, that would
never again, under any circumstances, say,
Not at home"
But did you find out the secret" asked
Mrs. Granger
"Ncver..' said Mrs. Gray; lit died with
her. 1t was in relation to little child in
the family, and I have always felt painful
consciousness :hat might have received
information by which the poor little thing
could be greatly benefited"
Mrs. Granger united her delicate bonnet
strings, and took to tanning herself with a
lace handkerchief. Mrs. Grand immediate
!y rose and ofiercd her ii fan that Law on
little table near.
4trhat reminds me-" said Mrs. DR.. West
''of SINH Jar circumstance that occurred in
my husbands practice. At one time we
were very intimate with The family Of a Mr..
Allen They lvedin the suburbs in beau-
tiful mansion The doctor called there
quite often as q friend and acquaintance.
Mrs. Allen had but one child, son, some
five yearssoldta little angel in appearance
and disposition, s9d as complete an idol es
ever shared the love,of two devoted hearts,
One Jay my husband rode by there, and, as
was his won't, stopped moment. "A new
scryaat who did not koow. him. met him..
and told him thefmistress was not at home !;
so lIeSode off again. Some two hours af
ter he came home, and was surprised when
I told him that Mr.. Ai!skshaa 4 ssnt after
him long, ago; that Mrss ssasaie n sy
crazy, and the child dying T 49, ts
ally swallowed poison iEs
There geretscseral Sdoe;pfY.
the little. Eugene sss s,-
rr,., ~ ~. - 4, zf1S EMssgsxS-~A