Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-03-03
MIs scELLAREou Us.
TIE GENTLEMEN'S PARTY.

THE GENTLEMEN'S PARTY.
"It'II be relic of tho old times,'' said
Coptuin Chip6eld. rubbing his hands, "a reg
ular old bachelors frolic."
''Ye-e-s.' observed Mr. Milwnrdeu, feel
iug his chin inhionsly; "but Whist will your
wife eay ChipfeIa ?-aud mine And all
the other follows wives %
"SaV? How are they to know anything
about it I? shuil tell Mrs Chipfeld that I
am going out of town on business Eight of
na, precisely-to be at Merriplays at seven
Merrip!ay's wife is up in Vermont and it'll
be good place to rcndezyous-and supper to
he served at EthereII's MT eight Tell Mrs.
Milvarden you've got a dying client up in tho
woods tell her there's to be caucus of
lawyers TO revise the Constitution Of the
limited States; tell her Gayhing. You don't
train her right, man. Mrs. Chipfeld will be.
lieve anything 1 tell her"
''Id like to get your recipe" said Mr.
Milwarden. ''Well, I'll join you if it is pcs
sible"
And he took his leave.
Little Mrs. Chipfic!d. mendng socks in the
other room had heard it all, through the
closed doors which chanced to staud the least
trIfie in the world njar.
"a bachelors party. Oh :" said Mrs Chip,
field, uOdding her pretty head, nll gIiuering
with red-gold curls. "a sleigh suprer
at E'herells at eight Upon nv word I'll
60 and talk it over with Louisa Milwnr3on."
Mrs. Milwardeu was up in her second story
front room. getting ready to quilt.
WHY don't you buy your quilts ready
made ?" asked Mrs Chipfcd "Why do YOU
make such drudge of your=elf?"
''Thev cost too much" dcPreoatinelv ~
swered Mrs. Miwardeu, who was tall. slight
woman, with long evclashes aud a voice like
tur'ledOve. "Mr. Milwarden thinks"
"Never mind what he thinks" hreezingly
interrupted the little LADY with the balsam
complexion. aud red gold curIs "My dear.
I'm going to get up sle;ghing party apd
surpcr-fve dollars head. VIII you join
US ?'
Mrs. Milw6rdcu o?ouod her hazel eyes
wide
"Dorathy ChipfeId are you crazy ?"
Not that I'ta aware o. said Mrs Chip
field. serenely. "Will you come Z"
"Certainly Eot."
"And why ?"
"Mr. MilwArdon says ttct all unnecessary
expenses"
''Oh, but can prove to you that this is
exceeding necessary" said DOrathv '',Just
look here, Louisa M;iwardrn himself, is going.
It's to be regular bachelor froc- -sleighing,
supper and cards-on Wednesday evening at
eight. Youare to be t1l4 one story, another
Mrs. Mirrirlay is in Vermont; Mrs Bell
lows has sick sister. Susy Lee is one of the
sainted iunoccnts who never suspects auy-
thing they say but IN throw bomb she'll
into that camp, or I'll know the reason why.
I'll telegraph to Mrs. Merriplay, and whisper
secret into Mrs. ArlingtOn's ears For YOU
see. my dear, l overheard them planning
their nice little arrangements"
at cannot be possible !" said Mrs. Mil
warden
II might have said the same myself, if 1
hadn't heard it with my own ears" said DIrs
Chirfeld.
"what shall We do ?" ga.ped Mrs. Mil
warden.
Just What I propose. EoW have sup
per. I've been to Etherell's, aDd know just
how the rooms are arranged, aud I'll make
them let US have an apartment that's eepa-
rated from the eentemen's banqueting saloon,
only by n folding door And when the
speech making and cigar smoking are at their
height, hey, presto! open 90 the doors, and
we face the music. Hurrah, won't it be fun?"
And Mrs. Chip6eld clapped her hands and
burst into perfect jubilee of dimpIes and
laughter.
Wednesday evening came, bright with flar.
light, Pearled with the shine of we'll packed
snow
lyon won't be late, dear ?" purred Mrs.
Chipfeld rs she stood at the door to watch
her husbands departure. 81 90 wish these
horrid Bank Director meetings we're over"
'Not later than can help, Dorathy but
st all events, don't sit up for me-"
so, of course not said Mrs ChipfeId.
The sleigh was ready in front Of the Ner-
ripIay mansion and away they SKINNED to the
music of the Ginning bells and gay laughter.
But all the while another sleigh followed. uu>
til, at the turn OF the road. it dashed ahead
Il wonder where those people are going"
sad Mr.. Benedict Lee saw very pretty
face. the light from our lamps flashed on
them-not unlike the style of youE Wife's
face, Chipfeld
elf there are any pretty girls on board 1
hope they are going to E;herell's." observed
the Captain, starting up at Orion's Belt as he
smoked his cigar
''Mine host" came Hospitality forth to greet
his guests, as the sleigh dashed up to the
door.
"HallO!' cried Cbipfeld, as he stalked
into the well,lightcd room, Il thought en-