The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-02
Farmer Browns Surprise Party.
BIZ MRS 8. P. DOUGHTY.

poIhvS WHO oohSN D'S""Sl
as he sat by the kitchen FIRE, quietly smoking p
bis pipe, and listening to an animated &C. o
count which his daughter Mary was giving a
of surprise party she had attended the pre-
vious evening. ..-.... .....,. r
Mary drew up her light form somewhat re. b
sentfuly, and with the least possible toss OF c
her pretty head, she replied.
"If you would only remember not to call I
me Miss Polly father. You know how
much dislike it,"
"You were named for your grandmother"
returned the farmer, "and she was never
called anything but Polly to the day Of her
death. However, we will change it to Mol.
ly, if that suits you any better. So answer
my questions about the surprise party, Mol.
ly.""
"Why, father, thought every one knew
what they were. They are all the fashion,
| assure you. A party Of young and old, as
the case may be, unite together in providing
music, a supper. and everything necessary
for an evenings entertainment, and agree to
meet at certuin time at the house OF some
mutual acquaintance, who is kept in igno-
rance Of their intentions. They t"ke pos.
session Of the house-dance, froIc aud enjoy
their music and refreshments, just as if they
we're invited guests. The family finding
there is no help for it, take it all in good
part aud join in the musements Of the eve.
ming. Last night the party was at Mr.. Law
tons. IWi~h you could have seen their
looks CT consternation, as one guest after an
other appeared until their small rooms were
quite crowded. jane and Margaret made
their escape as soon ss possible, and dressed
themselves for the OCCASION"
"More fool4, they" said the farmer. "Bet
ter have gone to bed. A pretty pass things
have got to, if mans house is no longer to
he his castle. Thut has been the rule ever
since | can remember"
"But there is no harm in these parties, ia
ther," urged Mary. "Everything is provid
IS Cd, SO that the family thus visited are at nc
}. trouble or expense"
oi THAT may be, daughter, end yet there
sr may be thousand reasons why they would
k prefer not having the company. 1t is in my
,e opinion, an unwsrrantable intrusion, and
,e should not be countenunced by sensible peo'
h. people,"
ID "But you would treat them civiIIy, il they
ID should ever come, father !"
" Mory made this inquiry in rather an anx
ut ious tone, for more thun once she had hear'
d, it hinted that Farmer Browns old kitcheI
go would be just the place for q dance"
er "Civilly, to be eure." replied the farmer
"Did you ever know me to be uncivil to an
he one should tell them my mind prett!
* plainly, am thinking"
a So saying, the good former rose from hi
Of chair, knocked the ashes from his pipe, AM
e. carefully replaced it in its usual nook, ant
ed then walked bFiskIy away to the perform
vo ance of some of his out door duties.
n "Never mind, Mary" said Mrs. Brown
" consolingly, as che observed the look OF un
de easiness on her daughters. s.countenance. i"
il, dare say your father will not object to you
o, having party, il you wish."
cd "But do not want to give pnrty, mother
n want to let them come, il they like, an
n find that they cannot take me by surprise. "
he "Weli, lie, them come, then" returned tn
IN accommodating mother. "l'll warrant faith
he er will be civil. II he does not like the fun
ot he can 90 to bed" And with this comfort
70 ing suggestion, the busy old lady again turn
ed TO her spinning wheel, the buzzing Q
n. which put BH end to all further conversation
ch Several weeks passed away. and the coo
ed breezes OF autumn had given place to tn
n. more piercing and decided blasts Of earl
ne winter. Once more the farmer sat in Gus
ue tomary place ut the fireside. 1t was nea
no the hour when he usually retired but as
RS kind Of preparation for his nightly slumber'
he he was induging in light doze, or perhap
he a deep reverie, in which visions Of his we
81, filled barns and granaries, and all the recer
,u harvest, floated before him in blissful success
en sion.
~. An attentive observer might have notice
nor that the fire bszed with on uncommon
.l,s cheerful light. considering that the old cloc
ew had already struck the hour 81 eight and tn
od the farmer rgidy adhered to the maxir
.E,rly to bed and early to rise."
The There was an uncommonly careful q
her rangement Of every article in the spacov
not apartment, and also an unwonted attenti'
md to her own toilet, which, added to certu
ith restlessness in Miss Mary's demeanor, sho'
and ed, that with her, at least, "comiDg even
ned cast their shadows BEFORE" At length car
the loud, and it must be confessed somewh
in anxously expected rap atthe door.
ono "Who is here Ot this time of night e. e
no, claimed the farmer, as he started from
die. chair, rubbed his eyes, and looked at
md. clock.
ills. "Some traveller, ! suppose, who wants
new nights lodging. Let him in, Mary"
the But Mary had anticipated the commar
,,s. and now ushered into the room wort
VIVA farmer and his family, all in their best atti
.nu and apparently intending to make an eve
svl. ing call.
rom "Glsd to see you, neighbor jenkins. \
ve, with any accident on the road 2" was
y !. blunt but kindly salutation Of farmer Brow
WNono at ell, neiQhbor Brown. We hi