The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-20

good news.r But Il was snappishly uttered, as
though ! had been detected IN something under
hand.
Long before Christmas came we had 40 i'm
proved our position with our neiRhbors, that
pleasant calls and occasional tea-drinklngs were
established. Janet, quite happy in the society
OF Agnes Marshall, forgot about the ''old
fogies." Mr. May, the chemist, who did not
come near us for some time, In the end proved
not only an entertaining, but an intellectual
guest and my husband always met him with
the heaItiest OF welcomes.
One morning, about three weeks before Christ
mas, when we we're assembled round the break
fast-table, and anxiously listening Tor the post
mans knock, which we hoped would bringius
Richards letter, asked, .'aow would YOU all
like to have party the week before Christ
masW r Il f-rs ga l.. -.
II should like one, replied Alice, ''on Lillians
and Lucy's account; but don't care much about
it, mamma, until Richard comes.p
'And j don't care about IL at all, mamma"
said Janet. "Now, II Richard would bring down
some of his London friends, then should Jump
Tor Joy, but our parties are stupid. Walter and
Frank are so rough; they always come home
from school eager to enjoy themselves, and
won't give us girls a thought, unless we can
scamper over the country, and go out with them
in all weathers."
And what say you, Mary 2" 1 said
81 do not care mamma y she answered pen-
siyely, III we are to have many old people here"
My husband sat reading his paper, with his
face concealed from view. He did not speak
till Dicks letter came, when all thought of the
he could not be with us till the Christmas eve,
and could stay only week. This was rather a
DISAPPOINTMENT TO us, who had calculated on
fortnight at least. Arthur said he was glad to
hear it, as 1t showed that the boy was acquiring
love OF business, and that he had probably
become useful to his employers. He got up, and
on leaving the room motioned me to follow him
into his study.
You were right Mary" said he. ''I could
not have supposed the girls had lost their child
thoughts SO socn. Give party-ten if you
hkembut ,1 don't bore then, with old people,"
THAT is all very WE'LL" / replied. "But
where am to get young folks My plan is to
give party purposely to introduce the two
girls, Lillian and Lucy, and before Christmas.
Mr.. May must be our only single beau, If he
will come, but all OF our newly acquired friends
must be invited, with the most influential of our
OLD ones.n
bravo Polly, you are capital diplomatist.
Things may be safely lett to your management
without sending round the town-crpr to
invite matrimonial candidates ?r asked.
He went out of the room laughing, and !
knew had gained my point. might do what
liked In the matter now. The details OF our
projected party had to be talked over with the
girls, who seemed provokingly Indifferent to all
my arrangements, for | would not have given
the slightest whisper as clue to my hope of
return invitations.
1T is so odd of you, mamma, that you will not
wait till after Christmas" said Mary. "Why,
every body will be engaged in maSing their own
preparations"
"As this will not be grand party at all, but
merely tea-drinking, little music, and q
dance afterwards, there is no occasion to make
fuss over it. You should recolect that Lily
and Lucy will like some little introduction to
our friends previously to the festivities of Christ
mas replied. Il do not intend TO send out
written invitations; but, Alice, you can call
upon our old acquaintances, choose any six you
like, and ask them to come, while will do the
same by the Mays, the Marshalls, and Elwoods
Do not convey to them any idea of party in
the usual sense it Is understood, but merely tC
tea and little music.'
And so this first step of the ladder was
gained,