The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-06-10

MY name is Reuben"
We'll, Reuben, / have come TO tarry
with thee awhile
Thee Is welcome, Era
y And striightway the kettle Is put on,
G and milk and honey flow, for Quakers
4 know what Is good for the inner man
and, perhaps, IL should be accepted rs n
consistent part of their belief. that they
put out of sight with such commendable
haste the rice brown of the roasted tur-
key. the glowing crimson of the cranber-
~ sauce, and the delicate gold of custards
and cake.
While quarterly meeting lasts, extra
servants are hired, extra bees put up. and
the ability of mistress and mansion is
taxed To the utmost to provide generous
fare. with the cordial welcome always Of
fercd.
hal heard that these tca-parties were
miracles of good eating; but i said to
lydia, Il have n concern. rs you call IL,
To 20 To one of these very improving and
desirable companies. Ithas nothing what
ever to do with the 'fleshpots of Egypt
so mt bc satirical, but get your mother
To invite me-
'Thee knows how glad mother would
be to have thee she answered.; but thy
worldly apparel might be unpleasant in
the eyes of our people,
Nonsense shall put on plain black
gown. and borrow a cap of your mother
Thee will say Something with a dc
mure twinkle in her eyes, (which will
tempt me into unseemly mirth.'
Il will not. shall hold my tongue. II
is much more likely that you,' or your
nan-monster Of brother, will set me
laughing
Il got a cordial invitation for the fourth
day, which was the next day, at Z p. NJ,
TO my great glee.
Dressing. as I had promised, with scr,i-
pulous plainncss, and wearing n Quaker
cap. which lent toe me an expression OF
most edifying goodness, l drove to the
spacious. comfortable-looking house occu-
pied by Lydia's father and mother, in u
very complacent frame Of mind.
On entering the large drawing. room, I
saw n row oc serene-looking women sit
ting all around the walls, while their hus-
bands stood about and talked To each
other. In few minutes we were invited
to tea. and Nimrod, Lydia's brother. who
was truly named, gravely handed me
down. IL was rs IL tho Belgian giant
were paving this delicate attention to
Tom Thumbs wife; for Nimrod WAS six
feet four. and i. what good old General
Scott used to call "a morscl of n woman" /"
The dining room was n very large one,
but the tca-table was set diagonally, To
get more space; and oh, what bright and
fine silver bcamed AMI gliStened thereon!
all Of the plainest patterns. but solid, ster-
ling ware. The room was filled with de-
licious scents. and we did not take long to
seat ourselves. Lydia was on my left
hand and Nimrod on my right.
had commenced telling funny story
in low tone to lydia. Just rs tea was
announced. and went on with IL ut the ta-
BILE in the midst Of peculiar and utter
silence. which somewhat disconcertcd me.
/ could see Lydia's eyes flashing with sup
pressed mirth, though she too was very
still.
At last l stopped. whispering, "For
so solemn why don't somebody begin to
eat something|
Il thought thee knew they were saying
silent grace returned this wicked one.
| Oh. what shame! 1t was too bad! I
was covered with confusion. l gave her
pinch. which made her squeak like a
mouse in the wall; anil Nimrod coughed
' behind his ket-handkerchief. to hide
the fit of laughter with which he was
shaking. Never would have knowingly
shown such disrespect; and L corked mp
n big vial Of wrath to pour out on Lydia's
head Mt more befitting season.
, The next moment became aware that
{ my host st the foot of the table was re-
gar,ling me with earnest. perpleNed eyes.
I looked down at my dress; that was all
right. i assumed an aspect of sweet Sc
rcnity. passed my hand to the back of
INV head 10 discover If the hairpins were
sticking out, or my poor wisp of hair had
come down. / had left my sinful false
hair at home, not being able 10 get II un-
der the Quaker-cap, and was conscious Of
an exposed airy sensation ut the back Of
my head. But every thing WAS In order,
and still that gaze.
oh. what Is he looking ut me so for?
I Oh. what have l donoT whispered at
last.
That wicked Lydia! She knew all tho
time. With little trilling laugh she said,
Father, her name Is Fanny
Fanny. shall I help thee TO some of
the stewed oystersP asked the good
man.
II was my Christian name that he want
ell. Ly,lia had told him before tea, but
he had forgotten it; and until he could
recall Ii, was not In have anything TO
eat; for addressing me by my last name,
after the fashion of worlds people, was
utterly out Of rule.
How they did enjoy the good things!
Little wavelets OF delicate rose-color
mounted Up into the peaceful, serene faces
OF the women, while the mems grew red
and shiny. Fat capons and rich pastries
disappeared like magic. Little birds
; brought UP on toast, hot aud hot melted
like butter on the tongue. Mullins made
of rice-Hour white rs snow, and light ~
foam. and maids Of honor, which are most
delicate and delicious cheese-cakes, were
speedily lost To sight, but can never be
forgotten by me. =.
Amer tea. for this feast WAS called only
tea we went up again into the drawing
room; but the good people left very soon ;
and the family. who were staying, or TAR
rying,' with friend Samuel, retired. while
l was kindly entreatcd To remain awhile:
fancy It WAS 'bounden upon Friend
Samuel 20 examine the worlds woman.
} and try tn understand why his daughter
Lydia had grown so fond Of her.
80 l talked away for dear life. saying
all the good things could think Of, and
even yenturing on little fun. The
placid b ne eyes fixed upon my face twink
led. and he was just saying. Fanny, thee
; has "a preaching gin; thee had better
join the Society when the door slowly
olrned.
= You may imagine that there are no ele-
ments of ftin In Quaker family. and you
win be very much mistaken. for they arc
full of n