Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-09-04
KEEPIsG UP APPEARANCES.
fFrom - Leisure Momentsnl

burns do not intend giving any We have been
20 no less than seven this season, and think
papa; only think what the fashionables will
say if we do not. We must keep up appear
ances,' anyhow -.# 7ll7r
Keep up appearances at the risk of getting
largely in debt! Whom pay day comes, what
would then be done, if my funds are not sufi-
cient to defray my expenses? tell you can
didly, my daughter, that keeping up appear
ances' Is q hard matter with me. / know my
circumstances too well to wish to give way to
the folliss and extravagancies Of the bern
monde" There is, indeed, sort Of spler did
poverty among some of them, because the v are
not contented with the solid pleasures of life;
they endeayor to eclipse each other in mere
shadowy Appearances. Many a one who counts
his thousands has been reduced by extrava.
CANT notions Of his wife and daughter PRAY.
tell me if those very persor,s who will attend
your parties in your more faosrishing condition
in life, while you keep ~ appesra nces,' would
visit you if you had a DOWNFALL! No, no; de-
pend upon it, my daughter, they would not
Papa, do not talk in that manner, for it
sounds more like q funeral dirge than any.
thing else. Only say tn At you will consent for
us to give the party twill not be such an
Then let us make. a calculation First of
all are the kid gloves :"
''0nly two pair, 'saps'
Another Item; sash ribbon-hundrums. Of
course for you would not wish to wear what
you haVe-a ns r dresser must be en- ployed. of
own hair"
An0a .er little iteu, papa, you left eut''
WEI what liz that ...
"a know We must employ the violin: il ia
aWf' lily insipid to dance by q piano-why,
IT ere is not the least animation in dancing
'Lniess We do have violin. To be sure, like
piano music for q parlOr, but oh, give me
violin to dance by; it gives me panics to think
OF not having one. Now, papa, I am quite
sure you will consent for us to give the party"
Well my daughter, / suppose 1 must. We
are far from being rich. Of course, your dress
ing is tolersble; you do not wear the most ex-
pensive kind, nor do you change your velvet
closks every season, nor wear the most costly
laces and embroideries, yet you dress we'll
that is, as well IS / can afford, to keep up ap-
psarsnces.' 1t is my will to attire you both
in the most elegant style, but a person muse
90 according to the ability Of his purse
never like to go beyond my income. / do not
object to the party at all, / was thinking of
the many expenses which would necessarily be
incurred. My bills at the grocer's, dry goods
merchants, ETC., have already run up high,
but suppose we must keep up appearancesS y
We may have the party then, papa ~
"Yes, my daughter T"
delighted delighted ?" exclaimed the tve
girls in one breath. 1--WE must be about the
dresses, which, by the way, we will have to
make ourselves. Oh, dear, how I wish we
were rich.''
sent out this afternoon. To-day is Thursday
well, what day shall we name for the party -
why, next Thursday
Agreed. Papa, will we not have a charm
ing time 1t is not the party care 30 much
for, but the keeping up appearances Why,
what would the LIS and C.'s say if we per-
initted the whole season to pass without giving
apsrty? / could not think of any such thing:
1 knew papa would consent, for he never re-
fuses anything we ask him.
The invitations were written and very soon
dispatched by the waiter.
Many smiles pervaded the countenauces of
those who received them, and great prepara-
ton, Of course, would be made for the party
10 take place at the Wilburn's for it would. no
doubt, be very brilliant one
wock rolled round. How much had been
dsne in that one week by the fair sex to outyie
each other
Gorgeous was the dressing, and large sums
of money expended for it,
Anxious grew the hearts Of many an over
indIlged father and husband, when he listened
10 the extrsvagant wishes expressed by his
wife and daughter, who had deter min ed upon
looking as well as the rest. Many father was
doubtful as he surveyed the endless variety Of
dressing purchased by his daughter, whose
vanity and folly taught her to eclipse every
one if possible.
The lOng-looked-for evening came at last: a
beautiful one it was, too. Each star in heaven
was brightly beaming, while the moon was
resting among few heecy clouds whittier than
the newborn snowflake. 4 brilliant psr v il
was, indeed; and much too briIliant we fear
for the purse Of Mr.. Wilburn. He looked upon
the scene, and doubtful shake of the head
was all that be gave utterance to.
Merrily glided the evening away: many
were the compliments passed, and We might
add, that little SANDER might now and then
have been heard, for woman is indeed, after
all. the most bitter enemy to her own sex.
The hours wore on; the first glimmering Of
morning was seen in the East ere the company
dispersed. But time waited not for them and
soon the parlors were void
For week or more the party at Wilburn q
was the chief subject Of conversation MANY
were the remarks made upon the different
styles OF beauty and dress, not unmingled with
little jealousy and envy. 4..rF |
The Wiiburns were, no doubt, delighted
with the fisrore which their brilliant enter
tainment occssioned, and congratulated them
selves that after all they had given a party
which had competed with any they had attend
ed during the season. Gay and thoughtIess
girls. They thought not of the shadows which
we're gathering thick and fast, that their own
light would be o'ercast with clouds But such
islife. :
Mr.. Wilburn has failed" exclaimed Pau
line Grey, looking up from the paper which
sne nsd oeen reading intently for some min
utes. Why, it cannot be; it was only two
months ago since they gave the brilliant party;
you know we went to it. Well, it must be true
since il is in the public papers
81 thought IL would come 10 this, after all -
4 replied Laura Merton, who, by the way, was
among the guests at the party. f-.s -
Il always thought the Wilburns lived be-
yond income; they strain every nerve to pat
tern after Us wealthy PEOPLE, and for what
merely 70 keep up appearances 1 think they
were entirely too extravagant; bat win wager
anything their high notions win hsve to come
down now. What check il must be on their
PEiae am not at all sorry for them, for they
ho1id not have been so extravsgant."
II do not think, Lsura, that they were ut all
exfrayagant in their dress .,....
They we're as much so as they well could
DE. anyhow, be that as il may, the party they
gave was too much beyond their income.n
well, that was given through compliment -
81 suppose 1t was. Did you observe what a
At the party. thought at the time thew could
not afford it," -.... s.---- =