The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-08-19
,rhn ldOmOred Guest.

A SHORT CHAPTER tOh "AN G''
"Well" said l. one fine morning last week, 81
have the prospect of leisure atternoon-a some
what unusual thing with me --aud, all being well,
l will do little needful shopping ; call and pass
an hour with my old friend Mrs. Ashburton,
whom. on account of the distance, have neg
lected Of late ; and then drop in to take TREND
ly cup of tea with my niece, Clara Whttord.'
Having completed my household arrangements,
accordingly set out, after an early dinner, and,
the shopping done, made the first call-Mrs Ash
burton's warm welcome, pleasant talk, and cheer
full fireside would have proved strong temptations
to induce me to accept her invitation to remain
for the evening had not elt anxious TO see my
niece, whose residence was much nearer my own.
On arriving at C.arn's door, was a little sur
prised to see light in the front part OF the house
az am afraid they are from home" thought |,
with regretful mental glance backward at the
pretty home picture had just left But was
mistaken. A servant came, III answer 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 lime to look about me be-
fore Clara made her appearance and could not
help admiring the perfect order and good taste
which prevailed in both the apartment and its fur
niture was the more pleased to note this, as
my niece, when unmarried, did not promise to be-
come very notable as a housewife.
was beginning to tire OF waiting-as, my brisk
walk over, felt chilly in the freless room-when
Clara entered, fastening a little article OF dress
evidently Just assumed. Her greeting was most
cordial ; yet there was shade OF regret III her
tone. when our first salutaliouS was 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 p
"Surely, Clara" replied, - no preparation is
needed before you can bestow a cup OF tea on 50
near a relative as | am Pray do not make my
friendly call into eeremonous visit or shall be
tempted to run AWAY aeaiu in place OF waiting
fos tea, and begging Mr., Whitford's escort home
"Pray. dear aunt, do not think OF such thing
l will light this fire in Il moment, and the room
will be warm and comfortable
So saying, Clara was about to apply light
between the bPrs Of the CRATE, when stopped
her.
"You must have a FIRE somewhere my DEAR"
said /; and where you were sitting when | ar
rived, will, am sure, suit me the best Ii | an
to disturb any Of your arrangements, will leave
you forthwith"
"phen, if so, aunt, you will have to excuse my
taking you into the nursery"
Anywhere to warm tireside, Clara but il
Mr.. Whitford from home :"
"No aunt, he is here" replied my niece, hel
color rising as she spoke.
Ilaughingly congratulated her on her husbands
liking for the company of her frst-born but
perceivng no evidence of pleasure on her coun
tenance | asked if the baby was well.
"Oh yes, quite So thank you, aunt. To say
the truth, it is my doing that we are in the nurse
ry tonight aud Frederick Is too we'll please
about it but it saves SO much trouble, and thl
other rooms have just been cleaned aud put in or
der But do not say word" she added, as sh'
opened the nursery door,
My nephew advanced, shook me warmly by tn,
hand, and then, turning to Clara, he said .,
hope, my dear, you do not intend to make you
aunt nursery guest. Ii you do, shall not won
der ii her visits become still more rare
So. | fastened 10 assure him that | had beer
brought there at my own request, aud begged M
difference might be nude but quietly ringing
the bell he desired the servant TO lgh the dining
room fire, and bring wori when it was we'll burnt
Clara bit her lip, and looked red and uncomiorta
BILE, while l. feeling still more So occupied mysel
in admring the baby. | could however, distin
guish easily enough two or three little article
which convinced me that "a tea equipage had JUS
been removed aud certainly this was not wha
i should have expected TO see in Claras home
knowing the comfortable aud even affluent incom
of her husband. felt sorry my unceremoniou
visit should have produced such all alteration il
the arrangements; for | could tell, from the pro
duction ef sundry keys, &c, &C., that many art
cies not in common use were 10 be brought out
and the evening meal deferred on my account =
Besides this, felt grieyed at Mr. Whitford's i'll
concealed vexatoD, not displayed towards nc
but his wife.
At length we were summoned to the dining
room; and truly wonderful Change had bee
effected there. A bright fire illuminated ever
corner an elegant tea equipage was on the ia
BILE; in short, everything lOoked--as had hope
at first to find it--in accordance with the pos
tion ofthe owners. Moreover, the pleasant a;
pect of affairs banished the cloud from NJ
WhilforUs face, and 80 ayr, eably did the tim
pass, that quite regretted when obliged to hi
my niece good night.
%Good night, dear aunt" said Clara, aff-C
tionately kissing me; do come again ver
soon, but do let me know when to expect YOU
''And then," added Mr.. Whitlord, after ii
door was closed, " the dning-room fire will B
lighted before your arrival Dear aunt, wh5
do.you think of Clara's new notions respectiu
domestic economy? When we were first ma
fied, she was rather ignorant Of household ma