The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-06-17
Select Storu.
Mrs. Strings Reception.

"When thou makest dinner, or supper,
call not thy friends, nor thy brethren,
neither thy kinsmen, rthy rich neighbors. -
And so we are really settled 10 our
own house. 1t seems too good to be
true, don't it?'
As John Strings pretty wife was
speaking, she let down the soft, heavy.
falling, brocatelle curtains of the hand.
some room, half parlor, half library,
where she sat with her hus band; turned
on little more gas, so that the Italian
peasant girl, aud the dark, bright Span.
ish woman, on the alabaster shade of
the drop.light, might display their beau.
ties yet more glowingly; and then seat.
ed herself in little easy chair, beside
the lounge where her husband lay
stretched out in the enjoyment Of the
masculine comiorts-evening ease and
household sovereignty. Taking up a
dainty bit Of bright-colored Knitting,
she went on:
" IL was very nice, to be sure, board.
ing at mothers, but it was sort of Va.
cant life, after all. This is SO much
better. have something to do now"
John Stirling smiled,
And something to govern. After
oil, | believe it is the love of power that
makes you women so delight 10 homes
of your own. don't doubt, gentle as
you women seem, that your servants
hod you as austere as the Great Mogul."
81 declare, John, you are too bad:
never scold aud I'm sure everything
has gone on SO nicely since we have
been here"
"a whole week and all the brooms
new. But don't look sober. | have
every confidence in your ability to keep
the wheel moving"
She sat silent awhile, until her hus.
band began to want to hear her voice
again, and rallied her from her abstrac.
tion.
"What is it, little one? You seem
in brown study about somethiug.-
Remember I'm Your prime minister,
and must know all the state secrets and
cares Of government"
al was only wondering, John,
whether you would see a certain matter
as do. Do you realize how many par.
ties We went to while We were u.
mothersg There we're the Hurlbuts
asked us three times, aud the Graysons
twice, and you know we went every.
where.
John Stirling knew that very we'll.
Somewhat reserved Of nature save 10
those Of his own household, aud not
fond OF general society, going to con.
tlnual round Of parties had beea one of
the sacrifices he had made during the
hrst winter Of his marriage, TO please
his gay little wife. The idea crossed
his mind, as she spoke, that she, too,
had wearied Of so much excitement.
aud was going to propose, for the future,
q quieter life.
"Yes, l like it" she said, with a
little embarrassment, for her woman q
intuition diviued the course his thoughts
had taken. "Iwas only thinking, John.
that, having accepted SO many invita-.
tions, every one would say we we're
mean IT we did not give at least one
large party 10 return. II would be Just
the best time now, don't you see?-
Every thing we have is SO fresh and
new--our drawing rooms are really ele.
gantl ] should so like to gather our
friends around us, and give sort Of
house-warming"
That's a primitive, comfortable.
sounding term, Nellie. How much
would this friendly little affair cost US 7"
"Oh! I've thought that all over. We
should have to ask every one we know
It wouldn't do to slight any. Besides
the more the merrier, you know. We
could have Smith get up the supper
and furnish the decorations. His bin
would be about three hundred aud fifty
SAY ffty more for music; and a new
dress for mo-"
Five hundred dollars, eb, Nellie Yp
=" Yes, I'm sure l could make Eve
hundred do il handsomely. could
send out the invitations for week after
next" =
"Well, dear, you must let me dream
over 1t. lreally didn't know receptions
we're such expensive affairs. Five hun.
dred dollars for an evenings entertain.
ment; aud the prospect Of a hard win.
ter, and much suffering among tho poor
Well, LII tell you in the morning. II
| can make up my mind that ii is right,
you shall have the party"
. The rest Of the evening was little
constrained. The young wife, seeing
that her husband did not care to talk
about the reception any more just then,
struggled bravely to avoid the subject,
and, inasmuch as il held possession of