The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-01-17

the LORD sent you. I wouldn't say this
10 another person, but want you to
knoWWhat cause we have for gratitude. -
After all, it was only pleasant neigh
borly charity. Why not do as much for
the needy as for amusement, "tin or
silver" weddings, or those who are In
no need, no want2
Mrs. Mason dropped in Monday morn
ing. We had about half decided to 20,
and her coaxing did the rest.
"Oh, you need not be afraid" she
said, laughingly. 1T will be a plain
dinner among friends. Be sure to come
at six, and get little acquainted with
Mrs. Wyllis."
That was the way our state dinner
came about. We really had no idea of
grandeur or gorging. We supposed we
would sit down to the table about seven
and leave it about eight, having a nice
time afterward with music and reading.
We dressed ourselves in our best.
Mine was bright brown silk, wonder
fully becoming, with illusion pleating
at the throat and wrists, and blue rib
bon in my hair. Gertie had lovely
wine-colored empress cloth, and actual
bona tide point lace. But then she was
earning money of her own, and could
squandeT it as she liked.
Charley Keith was rather late-so it
was half-past six when we reached the
house. We beautiied ourselves little
in the state-chamber, went down with
beating hearts and met Mrs. Wyllis, in
very elegant faint mourning and pearls.
Mrs. Deane, sister of our hostess, was
there also.
Mr.. Mason brought In Mr.. Clifford,
the Henrys came, and we sat in frag-
mentary conversation for ten or fifteen
minutes. By seven Mr.. and Mrs. Palm
er and Mrs. James made their appear
ance. Every new conner discussed the
weather, the kind of winter it had been,
and hoped now we had come to some
thing pleasant. Mrs. Wyllis put in
bright, chatty little sentences. think
wa all bad a fancy that the dinner was
coming so soon it would be no use to
serve up anything beyond fragments of
talk.
Mrs. Mason fluttered IN, rosy and
smiling.
"Mr. Keith" she said, "can VIC not
have some music?"
ut is momentous question. Can
wep" and he looked up laughingly.
Il mean-will you not favor us?"
II think I ought to give place to the
ladies, piano not being my forte"
1t was unintentional, but they al!
laughed.
but you, having more courage, must
set them an example," she said, with
winsome grace.
LAS you please"
He played something brilliant. Mrs.
Wyllis seemed to listen attentively, and
presently whispered that he fingered
beautifully. Then he took up one of
Beethoven's Minor Symphonies, which
Mrs. Wyllis pronounced lovely beyond
description.
Between while there was a little CON-
monplace talking.
l began to feel most unromantically
hungry. Ihad eaten nothing since one,
and it was almost eight. A general
uneasiness pervaded the company, I
thought, and the gentlemen appeared
to be on the alert.
Mr.. James asked Gertie to sing, which
she did, and Mrs. Wyllis commended
her enthusiastically. If some one only
would ask her to readl Then there was
lull. Mr.. Mason and Mr.. Henry talked
politics. Mrs. Mason fluttered into the
room again, spoke to this one and that
one, and presently a bell rang and we
were marshalled out to dinner, Mr..
Clifford attending me, Mr.. Palmer was
on the other side, Mr.. Keith had Mrs
Wyllis on one side and Gertie on the
other.
A quiet little dinner! The room was
in blaze Of light-that, I believe, is
proper. The table was covered with q
snowy cloth, handsome epergne in the
centre, tastefully arranged with delicate
fruit, purple and white grapes, and a
! trailing vine with green leaves and
white blossoms. Two very full and
compact hot-house bouquets were or
either hand-fowers enough, indeed, tc
ornament the room and give each guest
a dainty noSegay. Some mounds OF
jellies, pale-pink, crimson, golden and
dull orange; silver salt-cellers and gold
en- butter-plates containing a little fow'
cred pat; cut-glass and silver in abun'
dance, and square piece Of snowy
bread laid carefully on each one'snapkin
After we were seated and little IA
miliar with our neighbors, soup came
in. AS general thing, detest it, but
it was half-past eight and was hungry
SO I crumbed in my bread and ate il
with relish. There was not mucl
talking-indeed, have a suspicion thai
every one else was hungry az well.
Mrs. Mason had regular waiter, whc
was very expert. the soup-plates were
removed. and the meats came on-roast
turkey, boiled chicken with oyster sauce
and boiled ham with Sauce. Mr. Ma
son at one end and Mr.. Henry at tn.
other began the carving, while the res
Of Us blossoned into sort Of weak gos
sin Mr. Rrouna,s Gift xuas discf1ssaH