Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-08-11
The Honored Guest.
A SHORT CHAPTER FOR WIVES.

"Well," said I, one fine morning last
week, 81 have the prospect of leisure
afternoon, a somewhat unusual thing
for me, and, all being well, 1 will do
little needful shopping; call and pass an
hour with my old friend Mrs. Ashbur-
ton, whom, on account of the distance,
| have neglected of late; and then drop
in to take frierdly cup Of tea with my
niece, Clara " hitford.n
Having completed my household ar
rangments, / set out, after an early din
ner, and, shopping done, made first
call.-Mrs. Aslibuiton's warm welcome,
pleasant talk, and cheerful freside,
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 resi-
dence was much nearer my own. .
On arriving ct Clara's door, / was a
little surprised to see a light in the back
part of the house. Il am afraid they
are from home," thought l, with re-
grettul mental glance backward at the
pretty home picture / had just left
But was mistaken. A servant came,
in answer to my ring at the door-bell,
s.nd, ushering me into the dining room,
liighted the gas, end went to summon
4hsy mistress. / had ample time to look
+, at me before Clara made her appear
anoe, and could not help admiring 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 unmar-
lied. did not promise to become very
= -. - rs housewife.
| was beginning to tire Of waiting
as, my brisk walk over, felt chilly in
the tireless room--when Clara entered
fastening little article of dress, evil
dently just assumed. Her greeting was
most cordial; yet there was shade of
regrct in her<tone when, our first salu-
tation ove'|,he said-"Why, my dear
aunt, - ou not let me know you
wes y.ning, and l should have been
better prepared to receive your"
"Surely, Clara" l replied, ono prep
aration is needed before YOU can be-
stow q c,s,~ tc1s-TLso near q relative
as az. ray do not make my friend
ly call into ceremonious visit; or /
shall be tempted to run away again, in
place OF w2iting for tea, and begging
Mr.. Whitford's escort home"
Pray, dear auut.- Hot think Of
such thing. lwil Isn' this fire in a
moment, and tle - IN will soon be
wsrm and coiaforta' e."
50 saying, G'ars raS about to apply
a light betweei the . Of the CRATE,
when | stopped her.
'Y on must have a fre somewhere,
my DEAR" | said; Sarri where you were
sitting when | arrived, will, am sure,
suit me the best If | arr 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 freside, Clary;
but is Mr.. Whitford from home?'
"No, aunt, he is here" replied my
niece, her color rising as she spoke.
I laughingly congratulated her OH
her husbands liking for the company
Of his first born; but, perceiving no ev-
idence ofplcasure 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 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, and shook Inc
warmly by the hand: and then, turning
to Clara, said: 81 hope, my dear, you
do not intend to make your aunt a nur-
sery guest, If you do, | shall not won.
dcrif her visits become still more rare"
| hastencl to assure him that | had
been brought there at my own request.
and begged 10 difference might be
made; but quietly ringing the bell he
desired the servant to light the dining
room fire, and bring word when it was
well burnt. Clara Lit her lip, and
looked red and uncomfortable, while |,
feeling still more 50, occupied myself in
admiring the baby ! could, however,
distinguish easily enough two or three
little articles which convinced me that
a tea cquipage had just been removed;
and certainly this was not what l cx-
pected to see in Clara's home, knowing
the comfortable and even alfiucnt in
come Of her husband. felt sorry my
unceremonious visit should have pro
duced such an alteration in the arra, &C.
ments; for ! could tell, from Tie rroduc-
ton Of smdry keys, etc, etc, that
many articles not i'll common use were
to be brought out, and the evening meal
deferred on my account Besides this.
] felt Greivcd at Mr.. Whitford's ill-con-
ccaled yexatiori, not displayed towards
me, but his wife.
At length VIC were summoned to the
dining-room; and truly wonderful
change had been effected there. a
I