Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-04
Mr. Charger az Mrs Chargers Tea
Party.

Ihefe are Two spots In Bay Coast which are
all agog this afternoon. One Is the "Long-
Shore Tavern" Its critics call it the "Cavern, -
and the villagers the Larng- Shore House."
The other is the dwelling of Mrs. Charger AMI
not be amiss TO mention the additional circum-
stance that the husband of Mrs. Charger, ami
father OF sour Hatty Mandy" is an i'm ate OF the
same abode. Said inmate wears detected look
at this hour-not without occasion, for Mrs
Charger has laid out his "clean things" upon a
chair, and bids him put them on. He feels put
upon, already, by the bare thought. That mys-
tericus institution which Mrs. Charger calls
common decency' congresses him as with a
straight jacket The collar that should be stuck
up on either check, sticking under his chin,
clamps him like garrOte.
1t does seem to him tn 1t, for q well man a
sane man, a warm and comfortable man, 70 be
undone In such afashiOn, at high noon, Is need
lessly AFFECT, and suggestive of sickness or sur
that screech against being washed and dressed,
and protest upon the lap of Fortune, with
blazing foreheads and helpless but indignant
kicks: As for his hands and face, ''they have
both been washed once to day Already" is MS
timid smile to Mrs. Charger. go, wot's the use?
There's no sense into it. And wot arc they all
a-cnmin again to day fur Il was only last
dington's. B0-fl@r e t."
"Bodder to J. Ne. Chargers pet proverb,
except when with remarkable contradiction, he
sets II Overwhelmingly, Don't bOdder" On
rare occasions, he doubles it up and redoubles
it, Don't bodder-bodder to it!'
AtpTesent his opinions may be said to be fled,
as undoubtedly his thoughts aud features
equally are rasped; for Mrs. Charger a. he
says, suspects company to tea" aud her suspi-
cions are well founded. The feminine society
or the neighborhOod take tea together, 1t ap-
pears, "oncet or twicet every week." Another
husband and father is wont TO complain that
"that are all time g0in' out to take tea"
=, Upon these festive afternoons it is exacted OF
the lord OF the manor that he get home early,
don his best raiment, and "sit up"-usuaiiy Ga
the extreme edge of a ehair-"to help enter
tain" The spectacle might be entertaining II
the heartless-the spectacle of a lone man anil
group OF usy-tongued women; but 1t was
rather rough On him, inasmuch as no male
visitors we're expected to arrive until the mo-
sit down at table-which did not take place
until i've O'Clock, in quality circles; aud, in
the exclusive presence of ladies, no chivairous
Charger would be caught saying "B0dder t.
IT, nor even Don't boddeff' however opposite
these phrases might appear; but merely such
courteous words as these, ono, marm-no,
marin, no." or Yes, marin. yes" or at is bat
dusty" and "What powerful sight of ram we
had last year this time;" How Is your husband
and children, Mrs. Jones?-and Mr.. Jones' how
health"
This afternoon, however, Mr.. Charger is soon
relieved, ~ each succeeding furry of dress
conversation-rislng in its tide to q very surf
beaches him high and dry. Why, o. why,
lades-hie Utmost spirit asks you why
may not his numb feet take him to the
friendly barn, whose gable-end beams cor
daily and coaxingly upon him through the
we were going to say gratinEs-casementso OF
the parlor! Because, alas! because he must not
track mud into that parlor, nor forget that his
clean things have been put upan him.-"Ultra-
tya, an the Overland Monthly.