The Portland daily press., 1865-05-05
Friday Morning, May 5, 1865.
Our Economical Soiree.

come to be the leading idea of terrestrial ex-
istence in the minds of Mrs Dobb and my.
self. We calculate closely. We never did
before since we were married that can re-
member. But when butter costs at the rate
of five cents dab, and everything else in pro
portion, housekeeping expenses become Sc
rious matter.
there was rise Of three cents the pound on
veal since the day before-musing and eating
veal, at the breakfast table, when Mrs. Dobb
spoke:
birthday?'
is IL? said 1. How old is she nows'
She is six years old, and have promised
to hold little party for her in the evening"
Susan will 1t cost anything?
Why, buta trife, James. Besides, Sallie
has never had birthday party, you know
'Sallie should not have her birthdays come
30 often, wife, In such times as these. How
long is it since bought her self-operating
locomotive for birthday present?'
That was Susie, my dear. It's perfectly
distressing to me the way you do mix those
children up.'
But what viii this soiree cost us, Susan p
You are forever preaching economy at me,
and I'd like you to practise it little, and les
me preach. like 70 preach, irstrate.
'Oh there will have to be some nuts and ap-
pies bought srs
And some candy, Of courseq p
No 1 ees4 ea 9hea.
What A baby party. and no candy9'
III you won't interrupt me at every word,
James, I'll tell you. have bought two quarts
Of molasses, and am going TO make the can
dy myself. Now there's one Of my econoni
cal shifts. never get any credit ior It,
But what dauby job, Susanl Stretching
candy sticks body's fingers up SOP
You didn't mind it when you was young
man, Mr. Dobbs. Have you forgotten the
candy parties we used to have at our house
when was q girl, James? Such glorious
times as we used to have In that old kitchen
Why, it was at one ofthose candy parties that
you paid me the first compliment ever re-
ceived from you.'
All! what was thatr Esa4
You said was the sweetest girl In the
room.'
That was because you were daubed all oY-
er with molosses, my dear--as you'll be to-
night again.
i should think James, that it would be a
pleasure to revive, here in the city, the
recollection OF those old days at the farm
house. Do you remember those big hooks in
the ceiling OF the kitchen that you threw a
great twist of candy over to stretch 1t
the easier, when Mary Howard helped youp'
All, those were happy daysp I said mus
ingly, slipping my coffee.
Then you enjoyed candy making then,
James,
'les,' said coming back to the present and
economy. enjoyed a great many foolish
things when Twas young and innocent-court-
ing for instance
We'll, havn't lost my zest for simple
pleasures said Mrs. D., with enthusiasm. i
think 1t will be splendid to make the candy.
had thousand times rather make 1t than
buy it,
shifts that you never get any credit for. En-
my dear p
Mrs. Dobb looked daggers at me.
We'll, Susan, let's see what it will cost
What's molasees the pound now?'
4 paid sixty cents for two quarts
sAnd applesr .as
"A peck will supply the party; that will be
sixty cents more.'
And say a dollar and half for nuts. That
makes three dollars and seventy cents. II
will be very economical soiree.'
Il should say it would, Mr.. Dobb.'
Can |, papar said Sallie, looking up at me
with her spoon between her lips. m
Can you what, darling? Have the party p
Why, OF course you can, you little blessing J
And Ihelped her to another spoonful OF gra-
Wy, out of the full fondness Of fathers
heart,
Won't it be bully, Sis p cried Fred from his
side OF the table.
How that boy does pick up the slang of this
vicious age is astonishingl It's no use re-
proving him for it. Boys will be boys as
friend OF mine once remarked when he SCI
down on bent pin that his Oldest son hat
placed in his chair in frolicsome moment
What good papy he isl whispered Sallit
to her sister, next plate east.
gave Sallie some more gravy. 81
do you like kisses, papaW put in Nellie.
like everything good, dear. Why do you
Because we're going to have all the girls
kiss you Tonight as
They won't be big enough, Nell-not half
Iprefer big girls to little ones.
'Jamesp said Mrs, Dobb, reprovingly.
sOh, Mary Ann Smith is a big girlp said
Nell. Her dresses almost come down to the
ground
DO they2 That's encouraging. Is Mary
Ann comingP
Yes; and two other big girls. They write
DID, - = e'''s >'''-'r -
Compositions ARE such proof of maturity
among these little bodiesl Did you ever no.
tice it?
Bring the nuts when you come to ner
James, was my wifes parting Injunction
sAli right, my DEAR
was detained down town that afternoon
later than usual, and when came home in the
evening, | found the four little Dobb,s SITTING
In solemn state in the parlor, awaiting the
= coming of the guests.
Shortly after the door bell rang, and the
children were In high state of commotion
Sallie jumped down from the sofa and made /
daah t1rf DIOR hufa anddorlx
herself, returned to her perch and smaothet
her hands over her apron.
Bridget ushered into the parlor q string O
seven boys of assorted sizes, who ranged them
selves against the wall without saying word
But there was any amount Of subdued gig
Cling among them.
The next arrival was cluster of little girls
looking as sweet as June roses.
went out to tea, and when ] looked i
again the room was filed with the neighbors
progency, including Mary Ann Smith and tn
TWO other big girls.
Such staid conclaye never saw before il
my life. There they all sat, bashful and nice
never altering loud word, and scarcely car
Ing to look each other in the face. 1t wa
vastly amusing to me to observe the conven
uonal awe under whice those boys, especially
iapered; the very boys that had been salutinG
eacn other roughly in the street an hour be
iore, perhaps pulling each others hair, as Sc
date as deanons now.
The ice was h<oken in this way.
One o. the big gl..s. by way Of opening th,
ball, said to a youngstes Of some eIrbt sum
mers, named Josy Perry, e'sAs 1'''
lbs pleasant evening, Mr.. Perry,
'Oh, how are you, Mister Perrya, hnrs
forth our Fred, derisively, at the top Of ii,
voice.
And then such broadside Of laughterl I,
less tjHe than it takes me to write 1t tn,
s-yoagsters were in hubbub as noisy as th,
meeting had before been sedate.
hey played Post Office, and sCada,