The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-09-14
The Deacon's Dinner Party.

Deacon Goodman was the very best
man that ever lived. So at least said
his friends and neighbors, who certainly
ought to know, and for enemies, he had
not probably one in the world. 1t is true,
however, that the remark above quoted
was generally made as a sort of apologet-
ic preface to something like the following
" But then he has such queer notions,
he is so unlike anybody else, that we
hardly know what to make of him.
Perhaps these worthy people were oblivi-
Gus of the fact that in order to be very
good, it is often a painful necessity to be
different from ones neighbors.
We cannot better illustrate Deacon
Goodman's peculiarities than by describ-
ing little entertainment given by him at
his country seat long ago. For the Dea-
con with all his unworldly goodness, is a
prosperous merchant in New York, and
the owner (by perfect fair means) not on
ly of brown stone front in the city, but
of a charming suburban residence. The
Deacon's wife, though very good wo-
man in her way, was far less peculiar
parsonage than her husband. She fell
quite gracefully into an amiable conform
ity with the ways Of the world, and is not
to be distinguished from the thousands
of good women-of the wealthy class
who throng our city churches. Their two
daughters, Miss Adelaide and Miss Ellen,
had just left. THE restraints of fashion
able school, and enjoyed the prospect o.
coming out" another winter, as full
fledged members of society.
Husband" said Mrs. Deacon, one
May morning, soon after the family mi
grafton to the country, Husband, yor
knew we did not give that dinner that We
were proposing last winter, what do yor
say to having it here instead. We are SC
convenient TO the city that they can easily
come out in coaches"
You gave large party, did you not
which included all that should have beer
your dinner guests?'
"Dear me, yes that was quite a diff
ferent thing. Now at this little affair
am speaking Of, should only want on
most particular friends"
ooh! if that is the plan, like it well,
rejoined the warm-hearted Deacon. "Bu
why not ask them 10 pass q week will
us"
Ask-whomf"
Well, your brother Johns famil,
first; the children will enjoy it an,
then"
"Oh! you don't understand me at al
I mean only a few of the best families
whose acquaintance it is the most desil
able to cultivate"
Really, wife, it does not seem quit
honorable to invite guests for our ow
selfish purposes. i can sell hardwaI
with q good conscience, but not the ho'
pitality Of my house"
"Who wants to sell the hospitahtic
Of your house! No, no, my dear, ths
is one of your odd notions. Everybod
in society does just as | am proposing
And after all, this inviting is only doin
as we would be done by"
"True, true" said the Deacon with
merry laugh. 4" But why not do this f
vor to some one who will value it,
whom it will be real kindness? The
are hundreds whom could name,
whom a day spent among these grec
> trees, in the fresh, sweet air Of the cou
try, would be an event to remember for
! year."
"Oh, if you mean charitable Wis
! that is very good in its place, but We
different from the matter | have in han
For our children's sake, my dear, it real
!. is a duty to hold our place in good society
The Deacon was always accessible
considerations of duty. He merely sal
"Well name your day, and give +
!, the list. Twill have tho invitations SO
' from nv Office