The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-07-26
MY WIFES NEW FRIEND.
BY SMITH JONES.

waiting sudden friendships, which have ev-
| cry appearance of blooming eternally. |
but which soon wither in the worlds cold |
blasts. l used to think this character
istic was confined to school girls, who
swear immortal fidelity in letters crossed !
and recrossed, but forget each other as
soon as they have caught a lover.
My wife's first acquaintance, by way
Of bosom friend, is Mrs. Mortimer
Mowbray. with whom she became ac-
quainted last summer, while we we're
boarding out of town. Mrs. Mortimer
Nowbray had her carriage with her, aud
created quite sensation, in fact, every
lady in the house was eager to become
her confident; but the amable department
of Mrs. Jones, combined, [ doubt not,
with her intellectual accomplishments,
rendered her the favorite, and she it was
who daily occupied the spare seat in the
coach, aud had the honor of advertising
Mrs. Mortimer in those thousand grave
perplexities under which women suffer !
We returned to the city after the Now
brays; but my wife, though usually very
firm on questions of etiquette, waived her
privileges on this occasion, and made the
first call. She was graciously received,
and came home in high spirits. All that
evening she could do nothing but talk of
Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray, "Such an ele-
CANT establishment she said. "a foot
man with manners like prince, waited
at the door. The drawing room was the
perfection Of luxury and taste. Mrs. |
Mowbray had on such a sweet cap, and
altogether looked so ladylike. Her man
what one would suppose countess to
be-
In few days, Mrs. Mowbray returned
my wife's call, coming in a shiny new
carriage, and with a new span of horses.
Her equippage created quite sensation
in our street.
| Mrs. Jones, after this, began to act as
if brooding over some vast design, which.
not being quite matured, she deemed it
wisest to be silent respecting it. At last,
however, the mighty secret was broaehed.
Il was thinking, JONES' she said, one
night, just as | was composing myself to
sleep on my pillow, 'that we ought to
give party. Not regular ball, indeed,
but select entertainment, where a few
congenial minds may be brought together.
| should like to introduce my dear Mrs.
N Mowbray to some of the choicest of our
set."
Now, detest parties, small or large,
but as the delicacy of my wife's nerves
does not allow Of her being thwarted,
made no objection to this proposal, though
sighed to myself.
"Of course, my DEAR said. "You
know best"
"We'll ask about thirty" continued
my wife, warming with the subject.
!, ssThere's Mrs. Warton, and Mrs. Horace
Shinn, and Mrs. Price, and three Misses
,, Trelawneys;" and thus the dear creature
ran on until she had mentioned about
5 forty names, and [ saw her select party
of eongenal souls was going to be, after
all, a crowded rout.
You have forgotten the two Misses
! !, Howell said last, VIXEN my wife stop
ped for breath.
The two Misses Howell were amiable,
= Intelligent and pretty girls, in whom
:, took particular interest, because their
: father had once been an extensive ship
: ping merchant, but having become re-
duced and died bankrupt, the sisters were
compelled to earn livelihood by becom
y ing governesses They had numerous
: rich relations on whom they might have
. billeted themselves, but, with spirit O
e proper independence, they preferred t.
= work for their maintenance, instead o
- eating the bread of charity. had Ions
: nourished romantic idea of seeing them
= married we'll, and had consequently made
! it point always to invite them to GU
- parties, to praise them highly to the youns
:. gentlemen there, and in every other di
y, rect way to assist in realizing my pc
- scheme
"Ahem! y she said at last, clearing he
throat 'Ahem; the Misses Howell ar
:! very nice girls, to be sure-that is, il
their place-but as it is to be a selec
at party, and as | have already mentione
e rather too many, and as Mrs. Mowbra
Us may not want to meet all sorts of people
al and at"
ny s'Stop, my DEAR" said I, with sigl
IN for I saw that my favorites were not to b
o. invited; ''You have given reasons enough
g, is great pity. though" And sigh
or ed again-a sigh eloquent of passive re
~ signation.
as My wife heard my sighs, and her ten
nt der heart was touched. She paused
. ~ moment in embarrassment, and perhaT
as even resolved the idea of yielding to m
no wishes, but in the end she raised herse
'or on her elbow, and said:
ut '.Mr. Jones, do listen to reason. Yo
ed don't know how foolish you make youl
nd self about those Howell girls. They,
up been unfortunate, to be sure, and the
ng are very passable, indeed; but there's
re- predjudice, you are aware, against girl
'ut who are goyernesses; and who knows bl
re- what Mrs. Mowbray would take often:
re, at my inviting such persons to meet he
ate | shouldn't like to do it, indeed, withor
Ter first asking her, and can't do that th
ler time. She is very particular, and SO e.
III eessively high bred"
ra- eThen 1 don't thin she'd regard yc
the less, my DEAR" v injured to say, "f'
being acquainted with two such excellel
in girls as Patty and Lizzy Howell"
re- Mr.. Jones don't be child" replie
my wife, finging herself to the 9th
ss- side of the bed. "At your age you shou
know something of tho world. Excl,