Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-15

TAKING IT OUT OF THE FURNITURE.
BY ALICE ROBBINS.

The little circle met at the house Of Mrs.
MacGavin. They were having a very
good time indeed, sewing with nimble fin
gers, criticising the stately parlors, ex
pecting the pleasant tea that was in store
for them.
Now Mrs. MacGavin was the wife of
general, and probably the wealthiest wo-
man in town. Her furniture was certainly
superb. The cornices over the curtains
were very rich and beautiful, with blue
enamel and heavily wrought gilt SCROLL
work, and the curtains were Of costly
damask
Nothing could be thicker and softer than
the pile OF the splendid velvet carpet,
nothing easier than the great lounging
| chairs that rolled at a touch. But for all
this, Tom Gains little wife missed some
thing, and in the warm atmosphere felt al
most like shivering
''Well, what do you think of it Birdie ?"
somehow all her intimate friends called
her by Toms pet name-asked Mrs. Har-
row as she came to get little advice
about the shaping of small bib. 'I'm
half sorry the society met here should
almost hate to ask them to my bit Of a
Eo1se."
Nettie Gaines smiled.
ats beautiful, but I'm cold,n she said.
"Cold: Mrs. narrower cast glance
at the register at her side ''why, It's de-
lightfully warm; only wish we had
furnace-the atmosphere is just like sum-
mer all the winter through, the generals
wife says: Suppose you change places
with me ?''
"Oh, didn't mean that" said Nettie
with little amused laugh; "but isn't it
all upholstery"
I'm sure the parlors are grand, SUI
perb ~ exclaimed Mrs. Narrower, with q
| depreciating gesture; ''where are your
eyes, Nettie Gaines ? I'm certain the eur
tains cost hundreds of dollars, and just
| think of these satin chairs !! 1t don't seem
as if they ought to be used"
That's just the way feel" responded
Nettie; there's no home-life in them.
Each chair makes pretty picture, which
l like to look at, but never could use
them as seats. It's all very splendid as
you say. but for my taste III all very cold.
I'm afraid should want to break all these
vases, if / could put no vines in them,
they are SO hideously gorgeous. dare
say they cost enough, but they are perfect
ly unmeaning to me, a barbaric mixture
of colors. But perhaps ought not to
comment on other peoples style of living
so freely"
.'Who is that sweet little lady in the
gray dress ?" asked Mrs. Gen. MacGayin,
What perfect good taste she shows in
her selection of colors!"
THAT is Mrs. Gaines, or Birdie Gaines
as we call her. She is one of the dearest
little women know, and carries her per-
feet taste into everything. 1t is great
pleasure to see her at home; and by the
way, believe the next meeting is at her
house,
Il did so want TO see a flower some-
where - said Birdie, as she slid into her
own little low rocking-chair, ''or bit of
terra Gotta, or even plaster of Paris, like
our pretty little fellow there;n and she
looked lovingly over to recess where
stood graceful child, holding vase Of
flowers on his head. "Give me my own
pleasant home-like room, for all the splen-
dor at the Generals fine house,"
"Mamma, see horse, and pretty
lady, and a little boy and his dog. in the
own straw rocker, looking delightedly
with its red hot base, but genuine, roll
licking, singing, dancing wood fire. red
dening from great logs, whispering OF
forest oaks, and long sylvan avenues be-
meath; of messy, fern-covered everglades,
and tall signing pines. There was q
hearth, too, ample and bright. and high
fender with little brass railing, and bet
ter than all, an old fashioned pair of huge
brass topped andirons, in which you could
see your face; and all the pretty silver
things on the table reflected back dozen
fires, forming so many pictures for the
delectation of a beauty loving eye.
There were tables of different patterns
about the room, and arm-c chairs that look
ed as if they had been made for use, no
two of them alike-but every table bore
its sweet burden of books, or flowers. or
statues. The great bay-window was filled
with masses of verdure, in the midst OF
which choice roses bloomed, shedding
choice fragrance. Many small. rare
picture the wood-fire threw out in exquis-
ite relief, as also the rustic, homemade
brackets and hanging baskets. and the
great yellow and white lambs'-wool mats
just below the shining fender.
| No wonder Tom Gaines called this his
paradise, and was SO unwilling to leave it.
even for those places where his duty called
him. In Mrs. MacGavin's parlors after an
hour Of home, he would have felt himself
the most miserable man alive, though
| SuhAouhoOu WhtA SplChuoIs IL Hdu t8ktu q
fortune to obtain.
Well. the "Society for the Relief Of
Poor Children" met at Mrs. Tom Gaines
and the rooms. the ornaments and little
May all looked their best and brightest.
Everybody cried out at the sight Of that
fire.
'How beautiful! how pleasant! how
Eden-like !" were the exclamations that
| ahounded as the buSy DeOple ran hither
and thither, like so many delighted chill
dren. looking at all the pretty things.
my dear, you have really surrounded
yourself with beauty how have you con.
trived to make SO charming . home -
asked Mrs. General MacGavin, and evil
IDENTIFY it was very charming in her eyes,
"Yes. and how can you afford wood
fire and such expensive statuettes? You
ought to tell us;" cried another.
"Nothing is easier," said Birdie, smil-
ing; II take it out of the furniture. This