Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-01-06
THE KITCHEN BALL.

The hour arrived and the guests of Mr..
Ketchem began to assemble. The Mother
and daughters had dispelled the dark clouds
that shaded their brows for the last few
days and they were cheerful enough. Mr..
Ketchem could not look so merry wheth-
er mans and woman's capabilities differ in
that respect, shall not now stop to in
quire. Some friends in the glittering
throng observed Mr.. Ketchem's depressed /
spirits and they told him in a jocular way,
that stocks must be ''wonderous low"
AT an early hour, Eaton informed his
Master that gentleman wanted to speak
to him on business of the utmost import
ance. The two met in little Office con-
nected with the Mansion. They had some
words in parleying way. Eaton had be-
come curious of late and watched the pro-
ceedings through the keyhole. When Ea-
ton went to the kitchen he revealed the Sc
cret to Rhoda: "by the saints an Crocus,
Rhoda, Master has just been sued by the
butcher for his bill--just fifty dollars y
When he entered the drawing room
9 again, his guests were enjoying the festivi-
ties offered them. Col. Williamson APP
$ preached Ketchem and remarked:
ME kheYP sssSIg he 6rS g3iag ER VIZ 9 the
: take, and as you are engaged most OF your
e time, | will take your portion along
d and hand both overto the Treasurer at the
same time"
.e "Don't give yourself the trouble, Colo
$, mel, as | expect to pass that way myself a
~ ten in the morning and will attend TO
myself"
- Williamson had no idea that the constf
nd lble had lust FIVE minutes before, taken tn
ast asst dime of Ketchem's pocket money
up nav the butchers bill, and that was the re-
SON why Ke!chem did not at once har
ur- over his half for the opera box.
ro- "Oh if you 90 SO early as ten, sad Il
nd, Colonel. chat is much earlier than cou
oo myself, so you will please take my pc
ton and secure the box at the earliest hoI
ow, | hear there is great run for choice sea
lere Secure one in the most eligible part OF
not house, Ketchem and he counted out
portion of the money, eulogizing IN m
may extravagant way some OF the charact
that were to appear on the stage. 10
to of which Ketchem nodded assent while
twirled the notes around his fingers and
the same time wished all operas, balls {
butchers in the most sulphurous part
iood of Sevastopol!
He had scarcely placed the money
his poeket. when faithful Eaton inforl
lizes: him that gentleman wished to see
little on business. Ketchem was tempted t.
, see rude to his servant, but OH reflection he
have 10 the office and met the visitor. Eat
osses- propensity to watch and listen at the
apers hole. caused himto hear something like
bring following, but there was too much OF
for to relate to the cook
} last sSir," said the visitor, 'I sympathlse
G, and you-nay, more commisserate your
fcient fortune. but my vocation leads me to
This ness such daily. That those with "
ot ex- YOU have traded should want their m
eating IS natural, and your baker handed me
ing to account for twenty seven and an all
scretly lars. with the strictest kind o lnstru'
comes that in case you failed TO close 1T by
ervant, or secured bond, to put you under l
date arrest for debt. Queer fellows,
bakers if they were to lose dollar
way Is might as well be baked in one OF thel
rf| ovens. so far as comfort is concern(
away" told him thought there was no d
land of but he thought there was, and
rs gone my vocation, you know, Mr.. Ketche1
wife, is to do pretty much as he is bldde
1t him." dogs life, Sir A dogs life !. \
Rhoda; was reported on change this mornlr
da, how YOU were lame duck-a lame duC
nd Gro But am glad to find it isn't so
have magnificent ball going on
and she see. Lame ducks don't give balls,
ask me affair, magnificent wine Wouldn
I mad at taking glass myself eh."
DDS, and Here was dilemma! Sued TO
ut winks ashamed to ask security OF his tnen
no money but what had been hanG
ihoda; | by the Colonel for the opera box.
gwen to the bill, took receipt and treated
lector, Dunn, to glass OF wine Tor
pertinence, ,,,,
make him Eaton went to Rhoda and told
lhe had seen and made no comm
happy = ther than his usual wonder by the
shall ! see am Crocus what would be next.
The festivities continued. AT a