Litchfield enquirer., 1862-02-06
Alisfellonp.
MRS. sT1RLING's RECEPTION.

l 3AAso. nAAN0 D
 "When thou makest dinner. or supper os not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither tI kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors."
 And so we are really settled in our ov house! It seems too good to be true don't it As John Stlrling's pretty wife was speakin she let down the soft, heavy falling brocatel curtains of the handsome room half parlor, Ina library, where she sat with her husband turne on little more gas, so that the Italian peasaf girl and the dark bright Spanish woman. on th alabaster shade of the drop-light might displa their beauties yet more glowingly; and the seated herself in little easy chair, beside tn lounge, where her husband lay stretched out i the enjoyment of the masculine comforts, eye, ing ease and household sovereignty. Taking u dainty bit of bright-colored knitting, she wer on:
 1 It was very nice, to be sure, boarding at ms thers, but it was sort of vacant life after all- This is so much better, have something to u now
 John Stirling smiled.
 And something to govern. After all, be lleve it is the love of power that makes you wc men so delight in homes of your own. I don doubt gentle as you women seem that your SCI wants find you as austere as the Great Mogul.'
 I declare, John, you are too bad. neve scold, and I'm sure everything has gone on s nicely since we have been here-'
 A whole week, and all the brooms new Bu don't look sober I have every confidence il your ability to keep the wheels moving She sat silent while, until her husband be gan to want to hear her voice again, and rallie her for her abstraction
 What is it, little one? You seem in browl study about something. Remember, I'm you prime minister, and must know all the state SC crets and cares of government
 l was only wondering, John, whether vol would see certain matter as do. Do you re alize how many parties we went to while we wer, at mothers? There were the Hurlbuts asked us three ti'r es, and the Graytons twice, and yo, know we went everywhere
 John Stirling knew that very we'll. Some what reserved of nature, save to those of his owl houshehold, and not fond of general society, go ing to continual round of parties had been on, of the sacrifices he made during the first wnte of his marriage, to please his gay little wife, The idea crossed his mind, as she spoke, tha she too had weared of 80 much excitement. ant was going to propose, for the future, a quiete life
 Yes, I liked it, she said, with little embar rassment, for her woman's intuition divined tn, course his thoughts had taken. I was onl, thinking. John, that having accepted so man, invitations, every one would say we were meal if we did not give as least one large party in re turn. It would be just the best time now don you see? Everything we have is so fresh an, new-our drawing rooms are really elegant! should so like to gather our friends round us and give sort ofhouse warming
 That is primitive, comfortable soundin: term. N ellie. How much would fhjc frian0l little affair cost us?'
 'Oh I've thought that all over We should have to ask every one we know It wouldn't d, to slight any. Besides, the more the merrier you know. We could have Smith get up tn, supper and furnish the decorations. His bil would be about three hundred and fifty-sa fifty more for music and new dress for me- Five hundred dollars, eh, Nellie?' Yes, am sure could make five hundred do it handsomely. could send out the invita- tions for week after next
 Well dear, you must let me dream overit. really didn't know receptions were such expen sive affairs. Five hundred dollars for an even ing's entertainment and the prospect of a har, winter. and much suffering among the poor l. We'll, I'll tell you in the morning. If I can mak up my mind that it is right, you shall have thu party
 The rest of the evening was a little constrain ed. The young wife, seeing that her husban, did not care to talk about the reception an more just then, struggled bravely to avoid tn subject, and inasmuch as it held possession 0 all her thoughts, was rather an absent minded companion.
 That night, after his wife was quietly aslee beside him, John Stirling spent an hour of no untroubled thought Unlike Nelly, he had bee brought up in quiet country home, where fiv hundred dollars would have been thought b no means indequate provision for the support o the whole family during the entire year. Was right, could it be right, to spend it all upon on evenings entertainment. for the sake, too, c people who would be in nowise benefited there by-whose choicest pleasures were so commo that they had already palled upon their senses But then, as his wife had suggested, they ha been out so much-would not this drawing hac from return of civilities look very mean 9-an John Stirling shrank, with all the pride of sensitive man, from the least imputation c meanness. They were not rich. True, his cap ] ital was his own, and his business was good, bu i he had felt that he could not spend more tha three thousand year on home expenses, an here was five hundred extra, upon which he ha, not counted, coming at once. Surely he cou not dare. for such a course, to stint his contr buttons for the suffering? Could he afford i without? Nellie. the indulgent child of wealth parents. knew nothing of such anxious thoughts she only heard the resat in the morning Bt fore he gave her his goodbye kiss, he said in tone a little moro sober than he meant it shoul be,
 Well, dear, you shall have the party. To can begin making your arrangements at once- Here is hundred dollars for the feminin adornments ; I will pay Smith and the music a forwards
 That was all. John Stirling had sunny UT selfish temper, and when he had made mp hi mind to grant his wife the indulgence sho era, ed. it would not have been like hun to spoil he pleasure by any indication of dissatisfaction.
 Still, as I have hinted, her intentions wer strong. and her nature sensitive and impressibl' and she had certain sense of having persuade her husband somewhat against his own wishe that rather disclined her to commence her pr, parations. It was nearly eleven o'clock befor she dressed herself for her shopping expedition She was just tying the strings of her elegant fla hat when she heard a ring at the door, and prt sently servant came in with the informatio :hst . child, who had brought home sswinl wanted to see her.
 Mrs. Stirling was motherly by instinct, ap her heart warmed at once to the shy little ere ture who came timidly in. It was girl nc more than seven years old-quite too young Mir Stirling thought, to be trusted alone in th streets; but then she herself had been hrougl tup under the successive rule of nursery maid an Egovernness.
 She took the bundle from the child's ham lend said, with the same bright, kind smile whic had wiled John Stiriings bachelor heart ava, I. Where d'd you come from, and how did 70 md the way here alone. you poor little thing
 Sister Anne sent me, ma,am. She had don Iyour embroidery, and she thought if she coul