Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-07-15
THE HONORED GUEST.
SHORT CHAPTER FOR WIVES.


ing well, will do i little needful shopping; call
and pass an hour with my old, friend Mrs Ash.
burton, whom, on a,couut of the distance, /
have neglected of late and then drop in to
take friendly cup of tea with my niece, Clara
WhitfOrd''
Having completed my household arrange
menis, l accordingly set out, after an early din
ner, and, the shopping done, made first call
Mrs. AshburtOn's warm welcome, pleasant talk,
and cheerful fireside, would have proved strong
temptations TO induce me 70 accept her invita-.
tion to remain for the evening, had l not felt
anxious to see my niece, whose residence was
much nearer my own.
On arriving at Clara's door, was a little sur
prised 10 see light in the front part of the
house. Il am afraid they are from home, "
thought !, with a regretful mental glance back
ward at the pretty home picture had Just left.
But was mistaken. A servant came, in answer
TO my ring at the door-hel, and, ushering me
into the dining room, lighted the gas, and went
to summon her mistress. ! had ample time 10
look about me before Clara made her appear
ance, 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
unmarried, did not promise to become very no.
table as housewife
/ was beginning to tire Of waiting-as, nv
brisk walk over, felt chilly in the fireless room
when Clara entered, fastening little article
Of dress, evidently just assumed. Her greeting
was most cordial yet there was 4 shade of re-
gret IN her tone when, our irst salutations ever.
she said" Why, my dear aunt, did you not let
me know you were cOminE, and should have
been better prepared TO receive youl"
"Surely, Clara" / replied, "no preparation
is needed before you can bestow a cup Of tea on
so near a relative az J am. Pray do not make
my fiiendly call into a oeremonious visit; or I
shall be tempted to run away again. in place of
waiting for tea, and begging Mr. Whitford's es-
cort home"
"Pray, dear aunt, do not think Of sueb
a thing l will light this fire in a moment
and the room will soon be warm and com
fortable''
So saying, Clara was about to apply Iiobt
between the bars of the CRATE, when stopped
her.
'YOu must have fire somewhere, nv dear"
l said; land where you were sitting when |
arrived, will, am sure, suit me the best. III
am to disturb any OF your arrangements, will
leave you forthwith"
Then, II SO, aunt, you will have 10 excuse
my taking you into the nursery"
Anywhere to warm ireside, Clary: but il
Mr.. Whitford from homel"
mo, aunt, he is here, !" replied my niece. her
color rising as she spoke
laughlnglY congratulated her on her hus-
bands liking for the company of his first-born:
but, Perceivlng no evidence Of pleasure on her
eountenance, asked if the baby was well.
"Oh yes, quite SO, thank you, aunt To say
the truth, 1t Is my doing that We are in the
nursery to night, and Frederick is not too 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 word" she ad
ded, as she opened the nursery door.
Ny nephew advanced, shook me warmly by
the hand, and then, turning to Clara, said. Il
hope, my dear, you do not intend to make your
aunt nursery guest. If you do, shall not
"oiA-ca II Het flsit7 evsss.-- --sa -------ss
l hastened to assure him that had been
brought there at my own request, and begged
no difference might be made; but quietly ring
ing the bell, he desired a servant to lieht the
dinlng-room FIRE, aud bring word when il was
well burnt. Clara bit her lip, and looked red
and uncomfortable, while /, feeling still more
50, occupied myself in admiring the baby. |
could, however, distinguish easily enough tive
or three little articles which convinced nae that
a tea equipage had just been removed; and eer
rainly this was not what should have exnect-
ed to see in Clara's home, knowing the COM
Portable and even affluent income OF her bus.
band. Ifeltsorry my uneeremonious visit should
have produced such an alteration in the ar
rangemcnts for l could tell, from the produc-
tion OF sundry keys, etc, etc, that many arti-
cles not IN common use were to be brougbt ont.
and the evening meal deferred on nv account
Besides this, | felt grieved at Mr.. Whitford's
iii-c0nceaied yexation' not displayed towards
huwW l.
At length we were summnned to the dining
room; and truly wonderful change had been
effected there. A bright fire Illuminated every
corner an elegant tea equipage was on the ia
bic; IN short, everything looked-as l had
hoped at first to find it-in accordance with tbe
position Of the owners Moreover, the pleas
ant 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, affee-
tionately kissing me do come again very
soon. but do let me know when to expect
you"
And then" added Mr.. Whitford, after the
door was closed, the dining-room fire will be
lighted before your arrival. Dear aunt, what
do you think of Clara's new notions respecting
domestic economy When we were first mar
ried, she was rather ignorant ofhousehold mat
tiers; now we are so exceedingly orderly and
careful, that everything is too good to use The
diawlng-room flrst became so; then the dining
room underwent a thorough renovation; and
the nursery, resorted to for temporary conye-
niencc during the repairs. has become cur reg
ular abode, the others being only used on state
occasions. Probably our next remove will be
IN the kitchen. 90 into other houses and find
that their mt g. H.
time, with the certainty OF causing no embar-
rassment. In my home, on the contrary, the
call OF a relative even produces quite domes-
tic revolution; for plate. ekina, in fact every
thing Presentable, is laid up in lavender, like
the rooms l wish you would say something
TO Clara. on the subject, as / know you possess
great influence In that quarter"
Have you named the matter Frederick %
l asked.
"Oh, yes, thousand times, think; but
cannot effect any change. / trust you will be
more successful"
81 will try, at any rate" said /, as took
leave of my nephew-in-law.
Having thought over the matter, / arranged
my plan Of operation. decided Il would be
better to try the effect of an opposite picture on
Clara's mind, before giving uiterance to any re-
monstTanee, for well knew that young house
wives do not generally relish the pointed inter-
ference Of their elders. I therefore called for
Clara-having previously given her due notice
OF my intention-to accompany me in long
rambei and / contrived to be near Mrs. Ash
burtons just as tea-time was approaching and
we were thoroughly tired
Clara" said /, ''what is to prevent eur OBJ
taining rest and refreshment / can assure
you welcome to both; and, beside, you are not
- Ii
Oh, dear aunt, could not think Of such
thing; we should be sure TO cause inconve-
nience"
You shall judge for yourself, Clara" an
swered; al and if you think so half an hour
hence. We will innrnev hnmewanln y