The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-06-29
z III r. TRU H AND THE
+ A IS EG.
BY LECLAIR.

| GIN 81 iou w VIC ScIlSl DOStoi
for want you ever so much. l am sc
busy and / want you to make out the lis
of names for the party. have not has
minute to spare yet, and 1t is time tbs
invitations were out"
Mrs. Grey, the fair young wife of the
only Esculapius of the village, spoke the
above words with curious mixture Of
smiles aud frowns chasing each other over
her face, and as she finished she turned
with hurried step, crossed the threshold
and disappeared, leaving the Doctor in
maze OF perplexity to work out his ap-
pointed task as best he mi ht. Crossil .
over into his warm, cheerful study, he
seated himself at his desk, and commenc-
ed the list of names so unceremoniously
called for. About an hour after, his wife
entered, saying, Have you finished that
list yet. Doctor? II you have, read il
over and let me see if it is rig ht"
DR.. Gray looked up in the face Of his
fair girl-wife as she leaned over his chair,
with smile playing around his mouth,
and flashing up into his kind gray eye,
as he said
why, are you afraid l won't suit you
Birdle7''
"Oh no, but then you might have for
gotten some, so 60 on" she replied. gaily,
running her white hand care.essly throug h
his hair.
"Well, Birdio, the first is Mr.. and Mrs.
Collins; will that do?''
Eyes, of course. Who comes next2''
"The Claytons aud the Merrils'
eyes, go on.
''The Carriers and"
"stop moment, Doctor; I guess you
may scratch out their names"
"Whosc? = the Carters2 What for
You have always had them before; why
not now? Besides thought Mrs. Carter
was dear friend of yours; you havn t
quarrelled, have you?''
Certainly not. like her ever so much
but"
"But what, Nellie? Why, what do you
mean?"
"WeIl, you know Mrs. Carter takes in
washing and"
well, what of chat? I respect her all
the more for that; for Carter lost heavily
in that unfortunate speculation last fall,
and she wants to help him along, like the
true woman that she is"
81 would rather they would not come,
though Doctor. Let me take the list.
All right, she said running it over hur-
riedlv, except Mrs. Sayers. I want her
to come but she cannot afford to dress as
nicely as others can, and she might feel
mortified. Come now, don't look so cross
please doE't."
"Helen-
"Oh don't, Doctor! that one word
means volumes Call me Nellie, or Birdie
or Sunshine. If you don't, l won't stay
another minute" She spoke half plead
ingly, half de6antly, and she seemed so
Ike gay, bright bird as she stood there
in the sunshine, that the Doctor smiled
in spite of himself a
"Nellie,' he said, gravely and earnest
II, 81 an sorry about this; for in the
whole circle Of Jour acquaintance there
are no ladies by whose com panionship
you can be more improved than by that
of Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Sayers. The
former has we'll cultivated mind, as
we'll as ono of the kihdest Of hearts, the
latter is true, noble, christian woman,
of whose friendship any lady might be
prond; and yet; Nellie, you turn them
aside, the one because, walking with an
unflinching heart in the path of duty, she
labora that she may smooth. partially al
least, the rough pathway OF her husband;
while the other is scorned because her
oater robes are not purple and fine linen. >
Theirs we're tears, bright, dewy tears, in
the eyes of Helen Grey, but the old false
pride was in hcf hsart as she answered.
Il know all this, although have nev-
er looked at it in just this light before;
nevertheless don't think it best to have
them come, for fhere are SO many that
would not like it. I will tell you how /
can arrange it so that there will be no Of
feasc taken. / will invite Mrs. Carter
aud Mrs Sayers over TO tea sons time
next week. Wop't that do? 1t must
anyhow" and taking UP. the list, she
Trapped merrily out of the room, hum.
mihg fragment Of an old song.
It WIS the night of the party. Mrs
Grey beautiful parlors brilliantly lighted
and comfortable, were thronged with tn.
eflts of the village. In the corner of one
of the rooms stood Mrs. Grey more beau
tiful than essr, and surrounded By a cir
Gle of admiring friends busily conversip 6
Upon tie general topics of the day.
Have you heard from Mrs. Carter
lately?" inquired the hostess, suddenly
Of her friend Mrs. Collins. .'It is sale
that Mr Carter has met with hsav,
| losses"
"Well, 7 don't believe in all this can
about Mr.. Carter not being able te sup
port his family, and have concludst
that if his wife is going to bemean her
self as to take in washing, will not per
nit myself to be seen with her again YER,
soon" aud the fair speaker drew up he
.slight form, and curved her red lips il
the most approved fashion, as she locke,
around upon the circle. sg
"That is precisely what r think sal
Mrs. Barker, short, fussy little womal
whose prevailing characteristic was he
profound reverence for the proud an
fashionable Mrs. Collins. aJust to thin
Of it," she continued, 'ws hare been s
intimate with her, have invited her I
visit US, and have called upon hef in re-
turn, it is perfectly shameful for her t.