The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-11
OUR OROOuET PARTY.

~ hope you and Cissy are good hands at cro-
suef," was one of the first observations made by
my friend Allerdyce when, our mutual greetings
over, and the battle OF the luggage victoriously
won, we had finally seated ourselves opposite TO
him in his wagonette, and were being bowled
away towards his place, Maplehurst, where we
were to pay a long promised visit.
"I have quite too high an opinion Of your
fathers Judgment" he continued looking at
Cissy, "to suppose for moment that he would
have neglected to cultivate such a necessary
branch of education; therefore, expect that my
visitors will crown themselves with glory at
grand croquet party we go TO at Repton Park the
day after tomorrow"
SWELL" said, "Cissy will, I'm sure, for she's
o capital player; but as for myself, though it
gives me terrible paDg TO disperse such rosy
tinted visions, truth compes me to say that |
never could master the art. You see, my educa-
tiOn was ne elected, apparently; and after a GER
tain age learning new things becomes impossible;
at least as l never even by chance, could manage
10 do the right thing at the right time, nave
given up even trying 70 prOpel balls"
"You can't play worse than do, old fellow, n
all eyems,' broke in AleIdyce, "for I'm laugh
ing.stock to my children lin whom, am afraid
the bump of reverence is nor very largely deve-
loped) but you'll be sure 10 play we'll enough
for a monster croquet party bad players get on
lust as veil as good ones in a crowd, that's one
which is well worth visit, for it's a line old
place, aud will of course look its best in holiday
DRESS. The day after tomorrow is TO be the
grand Inauguration of the weekly Wednesday
receptions Mrs. Sackville has announced her m
tenrion OF holding, 50 suppose the world aud
his wife will be there, ana conversation, croIuet,
and tea furnis he'd ud lib IL the weather ne tine.
Discussing the coming fets in all ats Different
aspects pretty well occupied the time till 0uI
arrival at Maplehurst, where, on driving mp &
the gravel sweep, we perceived game Ot crOque
in active progress on the ground near the hal
door Here Alltrdyec had told US thar his young
people were always as seduluusy at work I
they were laudaby trying 10 qualify for dc
frte In crcquet and the truth OF his words wa
manifest. OF course, we went over 90 look q
them; and found Tom Alierdyce using the mos
eloquent arguments 10 persuade his cider siste
Kafe not 10 hit the winning peg, and so put her
self out of the game. IL would be just mad
ness, !" he was ebunciating with all the zeal Q
SIX teen, as we came upi "Of course 90 at Oh
blue ball, and croqnet away; then go nj rec
ana do the same for him, and then come ggnt
down 10 me, lie mp close, and well hit the pc
together IN, next innings."
charming programme, II IL had but been cal
RED out; but, ala, the fate7 decreed otherwise
Even the best-deyistd plans Of humanity ar
liable 70 fail. Wheiber kate'S nerve failed b,
from Cver-anNiely az that critical moment,
cannot say, but I was thai the bail, sent al
partntly with such uneIrnR aim, growing Slow
aid slower in it, cOure, Lna!lY stopped just q
inch or two short Of iis dc>iirauOn; red Iva
was at once down on it suc essfally oX.le
both IL and It's n bite Iariner, and &C the ne1
stroke had tho game. We did no wait, h "
ever 10 hear tie cad OF he Storm Of recrim
natiOns Tom and III sister hurled nc cac
other OF fr0ing tie victory uneXpeC edl
snatched fr N them dt the ygS last moment II
MIS-. Alleidyee appeared on the scene, broug
us 10 the house, and tried % inyeigle us in
paTlaking Of an afternoon tea. My daughto
I'm sorry 10 record, fell victim to her blan
ishmGnrs, for, alas ilesh is weak bat as f
e me, steinly Gid Teprobate the degenerate az
luxurious age which allows such practice
astonishcd even myself by my elOluenc
as / held forth against perpetual meals, ar
the havoc wrought in the nervous system
the unceasing tea drinking that Indies especial
now parOnize. How, indeed is IL po,sib
~ Appreciate the dclcacy of the entrees, n
juciness OF the joint, when gorsed with cakes
bread and huiter, and feeling oneself waikiki
reservoir of liquid Truly, human nature is pc
m verse, but, alas how helpless is man Even
my own house, blush 20 record the fact, su
repritious and irregular "teas" take place, O.
cused hnder tho specious reasoning "tbat il is
necessity 20 pander TO the dcprayed tastes
visitors" They are, however, given under pr
test for when they come 10 my knOwledg
sternly do check the morbid fancy.
Mre Allefdyce seemed, am happy TO sa
struck by my arguments, and hoped would gi
Mrs. Sackgille the benefit Of them 1T second han
Ever anxious TO do good promised, if opport
uity served, TO enunciate my vic VS. on the sube
The whole OF the next day we we're kept q
thorns by the weather glass, which, with chara
teristic fickleness, executed teats of tuInblin
which could only be accounted for by Its mere
rial temperament, for when "Wednesday appeare
it came decked in all the most glorious panop
OF perfect lGne mOrDinC.
Apollo was In one OF his happiest moods al
most fascinating temlers, and sent his sunbean
speIkiing forth with the most profuse prodigaltt
AS II bent ON glnddeuilg the hearts Of all by q
glory OF their beauty. At about 2 30 L. M, '
got under weigh seme of the party in q
Nagonette, the rest on Alerdyces irish iauutir
car, which, With curious peryereity he profess
90 consider the most perfect mode OF procressiC
D0esible, and Yainly endeavOred 70 fnfrcc me
~ slt with him tleIeon. L was constant, hoWeye
y 70 the WagOneLte, and We " last started on ol
fvo.milo drive through n fine undulating couutl
70 BcptOn--fke Old frees along the way az tim
kiretching their branches over the road, and fl
nishiDe us with living aWning of Gothic ts
WORK as We drove aiona under fbeir shade.
t Dn rtachiOe KeptOu Park, We found, by y
nnI1eIous aud receut sTnssf oi "htels q. tiie e4
,raV. fhat we were not thu first in the ield al
~ re SEED Al0lR W ECt eJ'n'pses Of vario
Il " NJ frru, trrgtg a n.~ccfi ms ( D