The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1858-02-04
N e w Y E A r CALLS
IN THE SPLINTER FAMILY.
Bi VISIBLE GREEN, ESQ.

ic;"s' day. They love the custom, it is so
Gentccl, SO fashionable and so rcrrcslinm.-
They had made great preparations for the
event. Mr.. Splinter had ordered home scv-
eral well filled 'lcmii,lns the evening pre-
vionS, Mrs. Splinter had buisr,l herself in
the kitchen, and the Misses SpIin,crs-Ma
tl!da Camille, Victoria Jrmi,na ard Flor,
tullivatus, the three Splinter Graccs-la,l
consulted the fashion plates and the dress
makers to their own satisfaction.
The S>plinicrs were determined on one
thing--to excite the envy of ,.l their neigh
hors. They l'al taken especial pains to hint
the "opcn house" to aIl their masculine ac-
Inaintancrs, and to 'iclicatcy intimate that
each gentleman might he accompanied hv
dozen or so Of his friends, and all would
he welcome. They aimed t" have two CON
Stant professions through, the hall, one go
ing out and the other going in, all day lone.
to the cllagrin of the Wi-gnscs and the
ll"pkinscs, who lived opposite. and the
Smiths and the Browns, who were their
nc,yhborS on either side. In fact they were
determined to be the envy Of the Whole
ncighborhood.
The foM ensemble Of their parlors-,lr
Srlin'c,s' have two parl"rs with folding
doors hc'wcvn-on New Years day was
grand.
In the back ground WI, the family table,
with lis da>hing silver ware. cllarminyv ar
ranged. The ati"c,i"natc and lrl,!"r-hcartcd
Mrs. Splinter presided there. assisted hv her
eldest and court V ,au-l,cr, Matilda Camille.
10 the right, little more in front, was the
separate display of Miss Victoria .Iamima.
who had the choice Of the family china
She stood beside her table il, classical posi-
tim, which position h;l COS, her hou,s Of
severe application and study. Opposite her
was the table of Flora tul,;vatuS, the Young.
est sister, who presented novelty in her
SELF. Miss Flora app"a'cd in the costume
of Il Green Mountain Yankee "ill, and had
sHrca'i before her, plain bread. apple >auc
and ginger beer onlv. Her object wis TO
produce Il comparison between llls;ici,y ami
refinement, and she did i, perfectly and
char'nin"ly. The curtains were so arranged!
as to throw Il soft light on a!l the groups,
aud give t" Tie Whole II >nhlmilv that was
sure to delight tie visitor.
But, by the way. Mr.. Splinter had his
table too. He called it his private corner,
and the term was apt. 1t WAS in dark
recess, but easily reached That table bore
sundry black bottles, containing, as Mr.
Splinter remarked, 'lhc s;rong,<, and best"
This arrangement WAS adopted to please
Mrs. Splinter, who conicn,lul that true wo-
manly modcsty deprived the ladies of in
viting the gentlemen to parakc Of strong
drinks, but ts gentlemen loved to mix their
liquors, especially on holidays, Mr.. SpIiu-
ter could privately indul "c them.
Happy thought, happy thought, my
DEAR" cxclaimcl Mr.. SIu,cr, when this w:.s
suggested? "You have remarkable fore
sight, my dear; excellent Judgment is yours.
Mrs. Splinter"
You fai'cr me, my love-" disnlic!ly
replied the lady.
mot bit Of il, my duck,' responded
the enthusiastic Splinter. ~ l,av. Il mind
of my own. can think and act for my
self, but | prefer, my dear, always to depend
OH your remarkable Judgement"
Mrs. S!intcr could not answer in words,
but she gave her husband one of those
sweet smiles, on which she has ever prided
herself rs a wife and Il mother Happy
Mr.. Splinter, happy Mrs. Splinter, happy
Sp!intcrs!
Invisible called on the Slintcrs.
All, welcome, thrice welcome, my dear
fellow" exclaimed Mr. Splinter, forgetting
for The moment his place, as he grasucd In
visiblc's hand with both Of his own. Proud
to sec you, my boy happy New Year to
you-the ladies have been expecting you,
and"
"My DEAR modcs,'y called Mrs. Spln-
Ter.
"Ah, excuse me, my love. forgot my
sclf--t,e ladies are await You, Invisible.
but say my dear fellow" he continued in
low tone, when you get through with the
crinoline, call on me again. l have pri-
vatc corner-good cognac, ripe Madeira,
charming Bourbon-you understand, 81, ?
Will have nice time each in the private cor
ner, eh! Ha ha merry New Year to you,
my dear boy.''
My dear y cmpbaticalIy exclaimed Mrs.
Splinter, All! excuse me, my love. Green.
Mrs. Splinter is dying to see you. Walk up,
make yourself at home, and don't forge,
the e,prlyate corner. "My love-" addressing
the lady, "our friend, Invisible"