Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-04-13
All to Themselves.
BY KATE MEREDiS. =

Mrs. Maitland was lady of the old school wild
ow, and wealthy withal, and whom they
were fully aware understood the art Of entertain
Ing her younger relatives
Already from the old fashioned kitchen issued
the fragrant incense of something pleasant to
the taste, and instead of Ga vision of sugar
plums, hot mullins, fried oysters, ETC., were
suggested.
The merits of these having been duly tested
and pronounced excellent, the company once
more repaired to the parlor, having addition
to their clrcle-Aunt Maitland having completed
her arrangements and left Molle the " help to
q side up''-now found her nephew and neccs
IN the parlOr.
Tis surprising what an effect good meal has
on our normal constitution. No sooner were the
party again seated, than the current of CONVEX
saton on with unmpeded flow Each had
some amusing anecdote to relate, some incident
which bcfel themselves, until it came Aunt Mat
lands turn.
Now, Aunty,' they all exclaimed in a breath
" we certainly must have story
Well, really, children began the old lady,
" cannot at present think Of anything amusing,
unless it be the sleigh-ride which took in my
younger days, when your uncle living" I"
Just the thing We want just such story
on n day like this"
"Your uncle,' said the old lady, "was then
doing business in the city, for it was several
years before we bought this pla e l need not
gent to his wife, for you all knew him.
"Judge Of my surprise, when one afternoon,
about this time of the year, he came from bus-
ness, and, as we sat taking tea, he looked up
"' Isabel, said he, II shall not come to-lnor-
row night
"'Nqt come Ch-rles" said I. where are
you going?
That is secret, my dear, he returned,
with provoking coolness.
II
events said, quite seriously for to speak the
truth, was somewhat annoyed, as we'll as sur
prised at the thought of being left alone
- 1ou can get one of your friends to stay
with you, Belle, he continued, and Martha is
in the house. You wont be afraid p
90 Certainly not, returned, proudly, cndeav-
orlng to conceal my annoyance. And so it hap
pencd that the next morning ! stepped over to
my friend, Mrs. Armstrong;, to ask her sister to
pass the night with me-
q will come myself, Mrs. Matand she said
looking at me with comical expression, for my
lord has also deserted his mansion for the night.
1t is my opinion she continued, that they in
tend to have good time. Indeed, know
much for, though they think their secret is safe
with themselves, they forget that walls sometimes
have ears and unwittngy overheard a consul
tation not intended for my cars, last evening, as
you will see.
20 I was folding the napkins in the dinng-room,
which you are aware is in close proximity to my
husband study, when presently heard footsteps
in the hall. Looking up, saw Mr.. Maitland ; and,
rs he left the study door standing aar, did not
for moment suppose the conversation was con-
iidental.
'' Well start exactly at halEpast SIX heard
my husband say. You haven't told your wife,
MatlandY
Certainly not Don't you suppose I can
keep secret?
'''0f course do only know have more
difficulty in keeping secret from my wife than
any other individual. This is only the second
time in my life that have tried the experiment.
Just my situation, exactly yet, in this in
stance do not think we could have arranged
matters more to our satisfaction. 1t is good
sleighing, and we may expect 10 get back to the
city about three in the morning. | have APP
prised Jinks, the watchman, of the Journey 50
as TO occasion no unnecessary surprise; and
Matthew will have good fire in the Office
where we can rest two or three hours before
daybreak. Now, if we took the ladies' it would
alter all our arrangements should have to
devote all our pleasure to their comfort which
,or once, confess, doesn't suit my inclination
- am equally as selfish said Mr. Arm
strong, laughing. Aud then they continued to
talk IN high glee of the good time they were
gong to have all to themselves
let we VIII be even with them Mrs Mat
land, said my friend, looking at me with an
,ll.seu expression W hat to hinder US from
having a sleigh-rde all to ourselves There Is
Mrs. Greenville and Mrs. Marsh, Who wonld he
delighted to join u.s.
And SO it was arranged that we, too should
60 sleigh-riding.
The gentlemen took their ride" continued
aunt Matiand, "and returned home, thinking
we were IN blissful ignorance Of their proceed,
ings.
:" Two weeks after, about three o'clock in tha
afternoon, as | stood wrapping myself in nv
Bay State, your uncle came in. and after wa;
ing in the diniug-room short time. came mn
stairs and tapped gently at my dressing-room
door.
.''Arcn't you coming down to dinner, Belle >,
said he.
"'No, dear, returned, l am going out
Going outr he exclaimed. Where a.c
you goingp
:! That's secret, my dear, I returned
You will find your favorite chicken-pe in the
dining-room
Before YOUR uncle could make any further
remark had bid him good afternoon
1t was fine sleighing, and with every pro
vision for our comfort, in the way of hot bricks
buffalo robes, and good driver, we started
from Mrs. Armstrong; residence, party mum
bering about ten ladies.
We had ordered a hot supper at the first
class hotel, and after riding about twenty mile:
in the bracing air, We were fully prepared 20 dc
1t justice.
' What delightful timewe are having, sure
enoughr' said one of the ladies, rs we drew
our chairs from the table, which, it is needless
to say, bore but a miserable remnant of the latt
feast. q wonder if our lords can imagine how
much we are enjoying ourselves?''
Yet even as she spoke, faint sound of sleigh
neiis Tell on our ears and, looking out of a win
oow, we perceived two famished looking individ
pais driving up in a one-horse sleigh and short
y alter, half frozen and hungry as bears Mr.
Armstrong and your uncle entered.
we guessed, ladies' commenced Mr. Arm
ana mat you were going a sleigh-riding
yid;n~ n moaght we could be of service in pro
a. is h;ss necessary refreshments, etc land then
h MS eyes Tell ON the remains of our late sumner
uncle u0wn aud glanced sheepishly at You
much as sAs m impossible to refrain from laughing
and loud and full chorus gree,ns .nd,saanals .ho,