American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1859-09-22
The DeaCon's Dinner Party.

that ever lived. 30 az least SAID his ITlends
and neighbors who certainly ought TO know
and for enemies. he probably had not one
in the world. It is true however that the
remark sbove1quoted was generally made
as sort of apologetic preface to some
thing like the following. But then he has
such queer notions, be is so unlike any
body else, that we hardly know what 10
make OF him. Perhaps these worthy peo
pie were oblivious Of the fact that in order
20 be very good, it is often apainful ne
cessity to be different from ones neighcrs
We cannot better illustrate Deacon
Goodman's peculiatitIes than by desert
biug little entertainment given by him at
his country seat not long ago. For the
Deacon. with all his unworldly goodness,
is "a prosperous merchant in New Y ork, and
the owner by (perfectly fair means not
only of a brown stone front in the city, but
OF q charming suburban residence. The
Deacon's wife, though very good won.
an in her way, was far less peculiar per.
sonage than her husband. She fell quite
gracefully into an amiable conformity with
the ways of the world, and is not to be
distinguished from the thousands Of good
women--ofthe wealthy Glass who :hrong
our city churches. Their two daughters,
Miss Adelaide and Miss Ellen. had Just
left the restraints of their fashionable school
and enjoyed the prospect Of looming ont"
another winter, as full fiedged members of
society. a a4 eNS E4
Husband" said Mrs. Deacon one May
morning soon after the family migration
to the country, Husband, you know we
did not give that dinner that we were pro-
posing last winter, what do you say to
having it here instead. We are so conve.
nient to the city thatthey can easily come
out in coaches"
/ "You gave large party, did you not,
1 which included all that should have been
your dinner guesisP" .N.
4 ''Dear me, yesl but that was quite diff
ferent thing. Now at this little affair
am speaking OF. / should want only our
most particular friends" sl
"Ohl ii that is the plansI like it welI,'
+ rejoined the warm hearted Deacon. "Bui
why not ask them to pass a week with
us?'' b.. 1 1888
"Ask-whom?" ESQ ts
"Well, your brother Johns family first
the eh'ldien would enjoy it-and then-'
i Oh! you don't understand me at all!
mean only few ofthe best families, whose
Eacquaintance it is most desirable to cult
vate." se3a tiScs g3s
"Reslly. wife, it does not seem quit,
honorable to invite guests for our own Sc /
fish purposes / can sell hardware will
a good conscience, but the hospitality o
house. = -eu gif ~ 1858 ~ F
"Who wants to sell the hospitalities Q
your house? No, no, my dear that is on
of your odd notions. Every body in so
ciety does just as | am proposing. An
after all, this inviting is only doing as W
would done by" soif
"Trus. true" said the Deacon, with
merry laugh. "But why rot do this "a
vor 10 some one who will value it, and t
whom il will be real kindness? Their
are hundreds now whomI could name, I
whom day spent among the green trees
in the fresh, sweet air of the country
would te an event to remember for yeal
ooh! if you mean a charitable visit
that is very good in its place, but YER
different,rom the matter / have in.band
For our children's sake, my dear il is real
y-a duty to hold our place in good socie
ty." Gsis-AEa 80. ....-''.,5' .-,',',
The Deseon was always accessible I
considerations of duty. He merely said
"Wen, name your day. and give me tn
list. Irwillsbave the Invitations sent fior
). my Office ytaqa IS saM g4 4t,'fa', p
"a capital thought, your aecountar
there is such splendid psnman. And q
to the names, you know the families I
whom we ere under the greatest obligs
tions. would have the company as Sc
: lect as possible, aud will try to make Ill
whole affair pass OFT finely" said the VOL
thy LADY, beaming already with amisbl
complacency upon her prospective guests
The expected day arrived. Mrs. Coco
man and daughters; their elegant toilets
last perfected, were seated in the drawin
room. whose long windows looked acro'
cool verandab, and commanded the wa
of approach from the city. Though Ii
fingers were occupied with light fame
work, expectant eyes were glancing col
tinually down the road TO meet the first al
rival. "a 80 h,
- "No one will como for an hour yet, 20
y may be sure said Mrs. G.. "Your fail
er has such ashorror Of late bours, that i
wanted us to be dressed and waiting b
4, four o'clock."el & +fa8 $50 aas',
Id. IL never saw an omnibus on This roa
before, said Miss Ellen, as one of tho'
Plebeiansyehicles made It's appearance oy'
hn kWnw ~ H. 81 : ~
Chartered forsome special purpose,
said ber mother absently, as she muse
upon the dinner. sssoeSsag.3 zeiire ,sssN
"There is another, %said Adelaide.
"And apolher.s r.s'added Ellen. N0 sn-.N
p "There is quite procession of them
( said her mother. 4lssss.
y e:And the first one is stopping at Of
gate!P exclaimed Ellen.
''What in the world-csn all those 70
lorn looking creatuaes want ,hers?'' erie
Adelaide. in conste rnalion.
"Do go and send them away before o,
company comes" said Mrs. Goodman.