The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-07-26

"Oh, certainly, certainly! Don''
make any apologies. couldn't think
of going now. Pray, walk in, sir
You'll dine with us, I hope, sir?"
81 rather think 1 shall, young lady, -
answered Bellcndcn, senior coolly.
"You'rc dusty and tired. father, said
young Bcllen1en, who breads discov.
cry. "Won't you walk up into my
room?'
"No, sir" replied Bellendcn, senior,
peremptorily. II want to sec how the
the drawing looks. With what taste
your poor mother, had she been alive,
would have furnished it,"
And tossing his hat on the table, he
walked into the long drawing room,
followed by his son and Miss Grey.
ling.
"My father and mother, Mr.. Bcllen.
lcn,' said the young lady, getting be.
fore him and performing the ceremony
Of introduction.
Mr.. Greyling had fallen asleep un.
consciously on the ottoman, and sank
from a sitting to recumbcnt posit-
ion. He started up, rubbing his
eyes.
"Blcss me! what solecism! I'm
afraid I was vulgar enough to dozc, Mr..
Bellenden. I'm very happy to see
you. My wife. Pray sit down,
SIR
"Thank you, sir I prefer walking
about replied Mr.. Bellenden, senior.
Curse his impudcnce,' he muttered
to his son. "Slecping with his boots
on my cut velvet ottoman. Ask.
ing me to be seated in my own
housen'
"He's rather eccentric" whispered
young Bellenlen, "but most amiable OF
men," "My father" he said, in low
tone, addressing Greyling, "is old
very peculiar--but you mustn't mind
him."
"You will dine with us en- fam;lil,,
said Mrs. Greyling, very amiablc and
polished old lady, by the way.
Il intend to, madam, certainly re-
Piled Bellenden, senior, who was stroll
ing about the room examining the fur
niture, and occasionally changing place
Of a chair, a card table or a vase.
"Traveliug makes one hungry, and
as The country probably produces thu
same effect on you, shall make nj
apology for ordering dinner" And h,
rang the bell. A smart man-servan,
answered it.
dinner directly, Sam," said Bel
lenden, senior.
"James, SIR" replied the man will
dignity, and looking with an inquirint
air to Mr.. Grcyling.
"Serve the dinner, if it is ready
James" said Mr.. Greyling, smothcrint
his indignation.
"Confound his impudencc !" said h
to himself: "Does he presume to Civ
orders to my servants I"
''Iang his insolence !" whispered
Mr.. Bellenden to his son. Must hi
tell my people what to do?"
Dinner was soon announced. Mr.
Bellenden, senior, offered his arm t.
Mrs. Greyling. Young Bellendel
sailed in with Julia, and Greylint
brought up in the rear. Mr.. Bellen
den, senior, handed the old lady to he
place with gallantry and seated himself
.opposite to her, to the astonishmcnt
Indignation and disgust of old Greyling
who would have broken out in remons
frances if his daughter had not restrain
ed him. Young Bellenden clutche,
his napkin in agony.
MIR Bellenden, senior, did the hon
ors of the table with easy nonchalances
but all the other members of the famil,
labored under singular restraint, AM
the ladies sought the earliest opportun
ity for retiring.
"No, James," said Mr.. Bellendcn
senior, 1.-THE champagne ]!
"Rcally, Mr.. Bellenden," stammer
ed Greyling, but the words fairl.
choked him /; he leaned back in hi
chair, and unloosed his cravat. Tn
poor man looked quite apopletic.
James handed Mr.. Bellenden a bot
tle--the wire was cut-the cork boun
ced out perversely, and smote Mr.
Greyling on his rather prominent Ro
man nose.
"A random shot. beg thousan,
pordons.' . said Mr.. Bellenden, bowing
And he passed a foaming breaker t.
the irritated merchant.
Il don't drink champagne" sai'
Greyling, testify. "James, give M
some claret."
"That's right, Mr.. Gleyling, call fo