Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-24
famiIg Circle.
THE GUEST.
A SHORT CHAPTER FOR WIVES.

VIGIL, SalQ l., OhS uuV uiOiuihB i"oe
week, :" have the prospect OF q leisure
afternoons somewhat unusual thing with
me-and all being well, | will do a little
needful shopping call and pass an hour
or two with my old friend Mrs. Ashbur'
ton, whom on account of the distance, ]
have neglected of late and then drop in
and take a friendly cup Of tea with my
neice, Clara Whitford."
Having completed my household ar
rangements, | accordingly set out after al
early dinner. and the shopping done
made my first call. Mrs. Ashburton's
warm welcome, pleasant talk, and cheer
full Preside, would have proved strong
temptations to induce me to accept hel
invitation to remain for the evening, haC
| not felt anxious to see my niece, whose
residence was much nearer my own.
On arriving at Clara's door, | wal 6
little surprised to see no lightin the from
part Of the house. 81 am afraid they are
from home," thought |, with a regretfut
mental glance backward at the pretty
home picture | had just left. But / was
mistaken. A servant came in answer tc
my ring at the door bell, and ushering me
into the dining room, lighted the gas and
went to summon her mistress. l had am
pie time to look about me before Clara
made her appearance, and could not helE
admiring the perfect order and good taste
which prevailed in both the apartment
and its furniture. | was the more pleas
ed to note this, as my niece, when unmar
ried, did not promise, to become a very
notable housewife.
| was beginning to tire of waiting-as
my brisk walk over, | felt chilly in the
~freless room-when Clara entered, fas'
tening a little article of dress, evidently
just assumed. Her greeting..was most
cordial and yet there was a shade OF
regret in her tone when our first saluta-
tons over she said: Why, nay dear aunt,
did you not let me know you were coming
and | should have been better prepared
to receive you?'
Surely, Clara" I replied, no prepar-
alton is needed before you can bestow a
cup of tea on so lear a relation as | am.
Pray do not make my friendly call into
a c~eremonious visit, or l shall be tempted
to run away again, in place of waiting
until after tea, and begging Mr.. Whit
ford's escort home"
PRAY, dear aunt, do not think of such
a thing. | will light this FIRE in a mo.
ment, and the room will soon be warm
and comfortable"
So saying, Clara was about to apply a
light between the bars of the CRATE. when
l stopped her.
You must have a fire somewhere, my
dear" | said and where you were sit.
ting when | arrived. Will, | am sure, suit
me the best. If | am to disturb any Of
your arrangements, I will leave you forth.
with"
Then If SO, aunt, you will have to ex-
cuse my taking you into the nursery
Anywhere to a warm Preside, Clara,
but is Mr.. Whitford from homer"
No, aunt, he is here,D replied my
niece, her color rising as she spoke.
l laughlngly congratulated her on hel
husbands liking for the company of her
first born but, perceiving no evidence Of
pleasure on her countenance, [ asked il
the baby were well.
Oh yes, quite so, thank you, aunt
10 say the truth, it is my doing that we
are IN the nursery tonight, and Freder
lex is not to well pleased about it but
1t saves so much trouble. and the other
rooms have just been cleaned and put in
order. But do not say a word" she ad
ded, as she opened the nursery door.
NY nephew advanced. shook me warm
y by the hand, and then, turning te
Clara, said: I hope my dear, you do not
intend to make your aunt a nursery guest
If you do, | shall not wonder if her visits
become still more rare"
| fastened to assure that I had beer
brought there at my own request, and
begged no difference might be made , but
quietly ringing the bell, he desired a ser
want to light the dining room fire, and
bring word when it was well burnt
Clara bit her lip and locked red and un
comfortable, whilst /, feeling still more
so, occupied myself in admiring the baby.
III could however, distinguish easily
enough two or three little articles which
convinced me that a tea equipage had
lust been removed and certainly this
was not what / should have expected
to see in Clara's house, knowing the com.
Portable and even afluent circumstances
of her husband. I felt sorry my uncere.
'monious visit should have produced such
an alteration in the arrangements for
I could tell, from the production Of sun
dry keys, etc., that many ~articies not in
tcommon use were to be brought out. and
the evening meal deferred on my account.
Beside this, I felt grieYed at Mr.. Whit.
ford's ill-concealed yexation, not display.
ed towards me, but his wife.
AT length we we're summoned to the
dining room. and truly a wonderful change
had been effected there. A bright FIRE
ill0minated every corner an elegant tea
equipage was on the table in short.
Everything aooked-as / had hoped at
first to find it--in accordance with the
position Of the owners. Moreover, the
pleasant aspect of affairs banished the
cloud from Mr.. Whitford's face, and SO
agreeably did the time pass, that / quite
regretted when obliged to bid my niece
good night.
Good night, dear aunt" said Clara,
afectionately kissing me "do come
again very soon, but do lot me know
when to expect YOU"
And them" added Mr.. Whitford, az
ter the door was closed, . the dining room
fire will be lighted before your arrival
Dear Aunt what do you think Of Clara's