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

aware that she had not invited them, she
gazed upon them with astonishment; but
nowise abbshed, they advanced with good.
naturod smirks which only increased when
they beheld her surprise.
Didn't expect US, did your said Mrs.
Peggius coutenicdy.
Indeed | did not, was the answer.
while the fair hostess iuwafdly wEhed they
had chosen some other evening for thervisit
But her own invited guests began to
come in aud take up her attention. aud oc-
casionaly among them appeared some un.
biddcn guest, while one and all were in the
most hilarious spirits, smiling to the extent
Of broad grin. Still not one remark from
Sinclair He asked no explanation Of the
phenomenon Then the musicians began
to tune up. What was the matter with the
music? There was a most horrible discord.
Five seemed to be playing galop, and five
a waltz.
What in thunder is the row with the
music" muttered Mr. Hubbard to himself
."t thought Graiula was always correct"
IL is not Graiulla; it is Dodworth,'
said Lizzie who overheard bis exclamation.
How the dickens do you know that2'
he asked her.
" Because I"-She besitated, and some
more friends coming up, prevented the nc
cessity Of her explaining.
Tho discord in the music became 50
alarming that the master Of the house was
about TO step into the hall when the dining
room girl came elbowing her way through
the crowd.
eSuro sir, - said she, looking half fright
oncd and wholly delighted, there's thronble
in the dinin' room. Them black walters
is pullu' one anoder's wool that hard I'm
afraid for the dishes au' vittles, sir. Won't
We come in an settle emf"
"Ob, melcyl" thought poor Mrs. Hub
bard. what will become of my pleasant
surprised didn't know walters ever mis-
behaved. Sinclair" said she, "you will
have to speak to them. shall inform
Delmonico that this is not Just the thing"
Delmonico ?" echoed he " The sup
per is from Purce's."
At that, two or three dozen Of the guests
who were standing near enough to hear. be-
gan to laugh, with their bandkerchiefs to
their mouths.
You are mistaken, DEAR" said the lady,
very sweetly, but decidedly. 1t is quite
likely know from whom | ordered the sup
per for my Surprise Party"
&" Your Surprise Party !" exclaimed her
husband
why yes Whose did you think itwas2"
| thought it was mine, love-"
Yours, Sinclair p
Why, Of course. Whose else should
it be ? Didn't you observe how con-
triyed that you should be prettily dressed
this evening ?"
You contrived ?" repeated the wife,
mechanically.
Don't you understand ityet, my dear ~
1t is you who do not understand it, my
love This is my party. gave it to sur
prise you
" am very much surprised, Lizzie. At
least, you cannot pretend that you ordered
these flowers and the rooms to be lighted2"
" Indeed did-and the music"
" The music Lizzie, | engaged the mu-
sic-Graiulla's."
1t was Dodworth's I engaged."
; At that instant something crashed so
, loudly in the dining room that the excited
: couple heard the noise and then, for the
D FIRST time, became conscious that the whole
/. company was crowding around them, every
D face beaming with intense delight.
Lizzie" said the husband solemnly
, " do I understand that you are giving me
Surprise ?"
. " Yes, Sinclair. Do understand that
n you arc giving me a Surprise p
Yes, Darling"
!. " Did you invite our friends ?"
r al did Did you ?"
e Yes, and pledged them to secrecy"
e You cannot say we did not keep our
=, pledge" cried the company, and then there
n was a universal burst Of laughter.
IS Above it all rose the crash Of china. Mr..
e Hubbard, followed by his wife and few
d friends hurried back into the dining room.
k Ten waitors-fve hold Of one end Of the
e long table.cloth five hold of the other, each
i party quarrelling for its right.
e What is this ?" asked the master Of
the house.
S :" We were sent here from Purcell's.
j Them fellows have no business here, sir, and
we'll break their heads"
,. The house servants stood by, grinning
1t and giggliug.
" Peace, fellows :" said Mr.. Hubbard
n Get along as well as you can together, and
@ I'll give you each dollar extra before you
e 90. The fact is, begin to perceive that
ii this is a complete success-what you might
call Double Surprise"
And so it was. If there was double ex'
r pense, there was also double fun. The two
OF bands agreed to play alternately; the
le double provision of flowers made the room
ly doubly beautiful; while the double supper
D. furnishing such plentitude of the choices
s. delicacies, contributed its quota towards
ir the pleasure and fine spirits of all interested
ne in the Double Surprise Party. However
cd when the next anniversary arrived, although
a there was brilliant gathering Of theil
ly friends, it was remarked that nobody wa
as surprised = GOdey's Lady's Book.