Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-12-17
The Double Surprise Party.

had been married ten years lacking ten
days, the lady took it into her head that it
would be delightful to give her husband a
Surprise Party Not one Of your vulgar
surprise parties-where people you don't
want nor expect come tumbling in upon
you, when the baby has scarlet fever, and
you haven't crimped you hair for a week
but an elegant, very select company Of the
first people in society, duly invited and
prepared for. The only person to be sur
sprised was her dear Sinclair. -
Now, how to manage IL Pretty Mrs
Hubbard had little money Of her own in the
bank-so every woman should have, for use
in such emergencies There was no serious
difficulty in the case, except to manage so
important an affair without the one most in
terested receiving any hint Of it, 1t is o
mistake on the part Of man to suppose
that woman cannot keep a secret She can.
Mrs Hubbard did
She went around and invited the selected
ones in person, with an injunction not to al
low a breath to be breathcd about the at-
fair to the unconscious parsonage in whose
honor it was to be given. She also went to
Delmonicos and ordered the supper. Then
she proceeded to Dodworth's and engaged
the music. Aud upon the mouth Of each
aud every person engaged IN preparations
she placed a seal Delmonico understood
that the bills were to be sent to Mrs. Hub
bard. Dolworth was bound over to make
no remark, but to have five members Of his
band at Mrs IIubbard's house at the ap-
pointed hour.
All went merry as marriage bell Not
breath Of suspicion Aoated in the air. Mr..
Hubbard went and came in sublime uncon-
sciousness Of the approaching festivities
The champagne was delivered at the house
during those morning hours when the gentle
man was at his place Of business.
Ten days soon flew by, and the morning
of the anniversary dawned as bright and
fine as heart could desire. Mrs Hubbard's
spirits, somewhat depressed by the anxiety
lest all should not be as successful as she
desired, arose to degree Of buoyancy when
she opened her eyes upon the beautiful day.
When she descended to the breakiast-room
there lay upon her plate delightfully."- sug-
gesuve morocco case, which she hastily
opened, uttering an exclamation Of rapture
as she boheld handsome set Of diamonds.
OF course she hugged and kissed her dar-
ling Sinclair, feeling doubly glad to think
of the happy surprise she had in store for
him. He, too, was in excellent spirits.
As he kissed her in the ball, before going
down town, he asked her if she could not
have dinner at FIVE instead of six that af-
ternoou. This Just suited her, and she as
, sured him that she could.
; But Sinclair, you do not think of going
c out on our anniversary night2" she asked
alarmed at the idea that he might absent
himself when most wanted.
|, He colored deeply, and stammered, say
ing: al shall not 60 out unless you ac
company me, to be sure, Lizzie"
"Oh, my dear, think it would be 81
J much nicer to pass the evening at home
quietly at home, you know?"
"Very well, my precious" he answered
rather obviously. But | should like yor
, to wear your diamonds to crafty your hus
3 band"
o al will, dear, with the greatest pleas
d ure imaginable"
u Then they kissed again, and Lizzie danced
through the hall, thinking to herself 81
}, can dress as much as | please now, withou
exciting bis suspicion. lie will think
b am dressing for him!"
/. His present of the diamonds caused he
It to be even more extravagant than she ha'
e intended to be- she sent out for a larg
e quantity of flowers to be made up and sen
in at seven o'clock that evening
'f al will invent some errand which wi
|. take Sinclair out Of the house from seve
" until nine. Our friends will all be here b
f that time, for obtained their promises t
!, be punctual. They will be sure to com
r. early in order to enjoy his surprise"
e 1t was rather long day to Mrs HUI
k bard although she contrived to spend tb
= afternoon comfortably in trying On the nel
g dress which arrived just after lunch
!, party dress of white silk and pufed tull
IS almost as bride-like as her wedding dress
b and in having her beautiful dark hal
J. dressed in the height of tae style.
'e During lunch she had summoned the thre
e servants and told them Of the surpris
u party, under the sternest injunctions of ST
b crecy they were to have the dressin
q rooms in order, the dining room in readinei
N for Delmonico's men and the whole hous
At was to be lighted as by magic when tb
10 time came for her to give the signal.
Could she trust to their discretion NJ
RS to let the master get a hint Of what WI
going on ?"
as At first, instead Of answering, the
looked at each other, exchanging comic
ie and significant glanees they put their han'
a up TO their mouths and dug their toes in
it the carpet, ending by bursting into a simu
I'd taneous gigge.
IS. Wei" }" said the lady, frowning Ii
'e, tie, does it seem SO very funny to 20
d. girls 2"
ed Oh, yes, it do, num- finally answer'
rs the paror maid, trying her best not
piggle again it do seem rather funn
The master will be awful surprised, mum
o Lordy, it's good joke % and the thr
j, crammed their aprons in their mouths.
We You seem to enjoy it so much, tru
~ you will do all that you can to help q
sc 90 along with it"
VI Indade we wull, mum" broke in I
10 waiter girl. Exchuse our laughing.
struck us as so funny. La! you needn't
on afraid to trust US. Patent wringers could
a. y. squeeze it out Of US"
u' 3" No, indade, mum, that they couldn't
asserted the cook.
"a Very we'll If you keep the seer
90 and do all you can to have things go
in' well, you'll each get handsome present
W "Thank ye mum. Pinchers could
Ter, T pull it out of US. III sea to the fro
~. chambers, directly an III tidy up
'"' parlors beautiful"
, "The dinner shall be ready at five oelo
~ ON the strike" added the cook.
'A' "The dinin' room shall be in ord
num-" said the waiter girl, very solemn
But as Mrs. Hubbard went up stairs
:. try on her dress, she heard scream
- laughter from the three. "What on ea
,Id ID is the matter with those girls2' she thoug
nlv Mr.. Hubbard was at home, and the DIM
served puuctually at five o'clock. 1t
an ordinary dinner, consisting Of soup,
/ is roast fowl with a salad, custard and {
lof coffee. Mrs. Hubbard thought