Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-10-19
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1860.

self possessed. and met tho In frank, IA.
miliar way. that was free from scli.con-
sequence. or osten,a,ion. She was dressed
in good taste, but no, with any display Of
rich material, or costly ornament, She
made herself quite at homo with my other
guests. only few Of whom she had me, be.
fore. and altogether, made good imprc..
ion on every one.
Tea vas announced in the course OF time.
and we repaired to the dninsroOm. Ihad
already carefully inspected the table ar.
ranscmen,., and the condition Of things in
the kitchen. The mullins, oysters, coffee,
&C.. were all right, but the table furniture
looked mean IN my eyes, for | .aw il all in
contrast with the elesan, service Of Mrs
Clinton.
There Is N, occasion 10 describe the sit
ting at the tca.tabls. Al my guest. ap.
pearcd 10 enjoy themselves. and would
have been in the sane comfortable state IL I
could have believed tha, Mrs Clinton va.
not drawing unf,1orablc conclusion. from
the plninne.. Of my china and the absence
Of a silver ssrrlcc-weak, foolish won an
that wac
The re.i Of the evening passed away as
such evening. usually pass. Al my friends
were in good 'Prriu, Ani Mr.. Clinton
found herself altogether at home amongst
them. A.. she was retiring about eleven o.
clock, she took my hand, and SAID, viii,
wh,, seemed TO be genuine hear,.warmth-
"You have given me real pleasure, Mrs.
Smith. These friend. Of your. are charm.
ing ladies, aLd hope to make their more
intimate acquaintance.
Yet there had been y death hand a, the
LinQuet-visiblc AZ least to my eyes. De d.
sides my weak pride, which made me dread
the criticisms Of my guest, tho borrowed
icnp1, va. an annoyance. Every time |
lifted IL, my grl'p was nervous and | did
not once .ci It down without striking I,
ag,in,. the coffee pot, 'usrr.bowl, or cream.
pitcher. Tia, .5mo accident VA. to befll
d, seemed almost crrtain.
After my company hai retired. went
forthwith to tho kitchen to SOC II the teapot
was safe, for tha, now rested upon my ,pir.
IL, with weight Of concern. An uneasy
look and moycmen, m the par, u the cook
aud chambcrmaii. warnel mc that some.
thing was wrong.
81 hope Mrs. lAw'on's teapot is safe"
nidI.
Tho flcO or Ellen flushed, and ,ha, Of
the cook grew pale.
"M,rcy, girls hope nothing has hap
psnci to ,ha, teapot" =" was my alarmed eE-
clama,iln
''Indcel. indeed, ma'am, I-f-tried to
DO careful >" -,ammercd the cook.
What Where j, 10" va. no little
excited.
MAYBE q, can bc mcnded, .uece,,cd
Ellen who had turned to tho dresser, and
now stood before me with Mr.. LAw.ou's
china teapot in her hand. .llly marrcd in
it. fine proportions by tho loss Of bali the
spout.
cla.pel my hands together, sank pom
chair, and burst into tears.
Don't take on 50 abou, it, na'am,"
aid Ellen "Sure and you can send in one
OF your own teapot. to Mr.. Liw'ou, and
she'll never be the wiser for the change.
Am, they jus, as likc a, two Pel'?"
True enough, Ellen | made answer,
" and than. you for the suggestion"
Ellen had already turned to the dresser,
and was advancing towards me with the
orly sound teapot Of tho three. when her
foot struck the corner Of the settle, and
away went the china. smashing upon the
door into hundred pieces.
"Och murdlher murither!" rang in
nay ear. aboyc the din OF the breaking ehIna,
AMI in dl,may 1rd from the scene Of ruin.
cried myself 10 sleep, a. may be sup.
posed. Brish, aud early on the mex, morn
ing sailed forth TO try and match the
broken teapot. Alas this found impos-
.iblc. and, after "a two hours search among
tho china.store.. returned home iE a state
Of mind tho most uncomfortable that eau be
imagined.
The only thing left for me to do wa. to
send IN my own remaining teapot. di'hgur.
cd Ly small fracture on the spout, and 10
explain tho matter to Mrs. lawson in the
the best wav it could be done. SO | pre-.
pared another note, and Ellen departed
With the teapot, on her delicate mission.
She came back in few minutes, teapot In
hand. and With face like scarlet.
"She'san insultin', unreasonable woman,
% she 50" CIRCULATED Ellen, in passion,
What did she say'" | inquired, al
calmly as I could speak.
Why, tha, she didn't want your old
broken teapot; and that 'he never lent any
thing in her life that /, wasn'i broken OF
injured and she didn't sGe wha, people
meant by borrowing their ucighbor's thing
I y d.