Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-06-15
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I 8 L what Came of, a Party.
BIZ CLARA AUGUSTA.

it. and I cannot be refused! I know
we are very much reduced, but we must
keep up appearances. What will peo-
pie think if I do not give q party this
winter? All the other young girls have
done SO, and I have been their guests
and what will they say of me if / do
not give them one evening of pleasure
in return 2"
"My dear daughter, all you say is
very true, and yet, we cannot afford it
positively cannot! Our income is
barely sufficient, with the strictest econ
omy, to supply our necessary wants,
and we have nothing to spend on super
auitiss. So, my dear Florence, let us
say no more about it, for l tell you for
the hundredth time, We cannot afford
it,"
"Please not to speak so decidedly
about it, dear mother, for most assur-
edly I shall be very miserable if you
refuse me! I will economize in any
thing, everything-I will even give up
my music, if you will only indulge me
this once, anything rather than appear
mean % and Florence Farnton looked
up with q world of sacrifice in her
young pretty face. fs
Mrs. Farnton sat some time in silence.
At length, she said sga a-..
every well, Florence, if you feel
disposed to give up your music, it may
be done. 1 had hoped to have had a
new bonnet this winter, but my old one
will do, perhaps it has been worn four
winters-ever since your father died!'
aud the pallid-f faced lady sighed.
, The ladies thus unceremoniously in
troduced were the widow and daughter
Of Ralph Farnton, deceased -four
merchant, whom the speculations in
breadstuffs had ruined; and having once
been wealthy, they found it very diff.
cult to come out independently, and
live within their income, but were con-
tinually straining every nerve to ''keep
up appearances. Florence must wear
brocade and feathers, or people would
think they we're dreadfully reduced ;
and Florence must take music lessons,
although she sang and played better
than her teacher, lest it became known
that the Farntons could not afford it.
The season of which we write had
been one of unprecedented gaiety in
the sober little city of D.; parties, balls,
soirees, ssfairs,'' and reunions, had
followed in rapid succession! All the
young ladies on Florence's visiting list
had given entertainments of some de-
scription, and as she had attended most
of them-she made up her mind that it
would be mean and ungrateful to make
no return. We have seen that the par
ty was decided upon - it is now our
duty to follow through the prepare
tions-the grand occasion itself and
then announce what came of it-as we
promised to do in the first line we
wrote.
Seven o'clock of Wednesday morn
ing-month of February-thermome-
ter % degrees family conclave in the
private boudoir Of Miss Farnton, to
consult on a fitting costume for the
pretty little lady who was to play hos
tess the ensuing Tuesday evening. 1t
would never do to appear in dress
which had been worn before-folks
would talk. Mrs. Farnton suggested
white muslin for simplicity and econo-
my, but Florence objected-"Folks
would think them too poor to afford
anything better.'' After some alterca-
ton. much elaboration, and few tears
on the part of the young lady, blue
satin, with guipure trimmings, was de-
cided upon. For cheapness, Florence
bought the thin fraying material, ar
guing that it was quite as we'll as a
better article-it was to, be only worn
one night. a
A fashionable millliner fitted the
BASQUE, ard twas taken to third-rate
seamstress to be finished. After this
important matter, the refreshments
naturally came on the tapis. Ice cream,
(lcmon and vanilla, } jellies, ounce
marmalade, { shich could be purchas-
ed J rissolettes, French tart, and cake
Of two kinds, with iced lemonade "for
the drink" and fruit and other tribes
from the confe;tioners, to make up the
d,sert.
1.-The Frugal Housewife and Family
Recipe Book" was hunted up from its
remote lodgings IN the barrel OF waste
paper, and Florence sat down to con
ITS valuable ga ges. She readit through,
(patient gil, ) even to the recipes for
leolor.ne durable black and quoting
infants in the ..convulsions. Next, az
assistant must be had - for Florence
was not a giant, either'ln strength or
stature, and though the Farnto'{s had
never done their own work, they were
OBLIGED to assist their one servant to
their utmost, as it is probably known
that the "help" rules in all respectable
families nova days
Biddy O'Flanagan, a kind neighbours
IRISH girl, was volunteered for the ser
vice. and the preparations went forward.
The sponge-cakes were burnt to crisp,
and the ice. cream soured in the freez-
er. By the unmerciful fire Biddy saw tit
to propagate in the stove; ,..
The best preserve-bo was broken
by being stepped on BY the same m # fan nc.
tionary-she having placed it !, on III the
floor ssto have it all handy The
n-oil had been upset into the ket.
tie Of embryo calves foot jelly, and
the parlor carpet was ripped, up for the
snace Of several yards by the toes of