Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1874-12-11


4" And you refused point blank to sub
scribe to our club"
=" don't belong to the club"
@ But we voted you in unanimously"
. Not by my request, however"
i" 1t makes no odds, Paul. You can't
creep out of that small hole. You have
disappointed us in every way"
Paul Brtnall reflected for brief
space, and finally he looked up with u
pleasant smile and said
" Boys, | think | understand you.
My carriage is around at the black
smiths, where | left it to have tire
frightened. There is room for you three
to ride. viii you go with me out to
my place and lunch If you will do so.
| will try and convince you that am
innocent of the charge you bring against
me. If, when you have heard my de-
lenses, you do not exonerate me, | will
agree to subscribe five hundred dollars
to your club. Will you come ?"
They had nothing particular to do,
and, moreover, they were anxious to see
his place on the inside. So they told
him they would go with him. The ride
was not long one. Only a short dis
lance into the country, and they turned
from the highway into winding car
riage path, fankcd with magnificent
shade trees, and soon drew up before
cottage of exceeding grace and architec-
tural beauty. A fountain set up its sill
very jet of sparkling water upon the
lawn, and its adornments were two mar
Bile nymphs.
Votel spoke of the fountain, and Tom
and George declared it was beautiful.
T" / think it helps the general effect of
the picture" said Paul. It cost me
goodly SUN, but believe draw fair
interest from the investment in comfort
and satisfaction. Will you walk in 2"
He led them into the house In the
hall they left their hats, and were then
conducted into an apartment where were
cases filled with books cases containing
stuffed birds and rare specimens Of min
erals; chastc and beautiful statuettes in
marble and in parian and choice old
paintings in handsome frames. upon the
walls. There was writing and read
ing-table, and easy chairs.
This is my snuggcry," Paul said,
g and here | take solid comfort. The
embellishments which you see about You
cost great deal of money; but | deem
money well and proftably spent that
serves to make home cheerful and pleas
ant"
1t was certainly cheerful and pleas
ant place, and the visitors did not sup
press their appreciation and admiration.
Paul led them next into an apartment
where there were more pictures and
more choice bits of sculpture, aud where
also was an open piano-forte, with II vio-
lin lying upon it.
This, gentlemen, is our music room.
All"
A door opened and lady entered.
!" My wife, gentlemen "
They knew the beautiful woman, for
they had been INTRODUCED before After
a little conversation. Tom Gardener ven
turcd to ask for music.
Will you play, Mary p
Mrs. Britnall with ready smile of
acquiescence, took her seat at the piano
forte, and Paul took the violin.
Half an hour passed in listening to the
music, and to the visitors it did not seem
that half that time had flown at all. As
Paul laid down his violin, he said:
While Mary prepares our lunch,
suppose we take a turn in the garden"
So into the garden they went, and
here they found everything tasteful and
pleasant. There were flowers and fruits
and vegetables of every kind.
" Here" said the host, Il find my
healthful exercise. OF course, my man
Friday does the heavier work /; but /
take care of the fruitng trees and vines,
aud Mary looks to the flowers"
When they returned to the house lunch
was ready, and Mrs. Britnall presided
at the well-6lled board There was
fruit Of pears and peaches, all raised
upon the place, and the other edibles
were Of Mary's preparation.
BY and by the guests were ready to
depart, but they fingered in the ball
and upon the broad piazza, MS though
they knew not how to get honorably
away
Paul saw their trouble and helped
them out.
- Before you leave me-" he said,
smiling, have word to say re-
member, a few weeks since, that one Of
you said in my hearing-it was you,
Tom-that | used to love fun ard en-
joymcnt as well as anybody, and you
intimatcd pretty plainly that only parsi-
mony kept me from it now. think
you were mistaken | not only love en-
joyment as well as ever, but seek it to
the full extent Of my ability. As for
finn, it is an empty. ephcmeral thing.
True enjoyment is lasting. Since my
entrance into business and my marriage,
[ have been led TO seek enjoyments that
might be solid and substantial, and |
healthful in their influence. According
to my means ! have purchased them.
On the day, Tom. you asked me to sub !
scribe towards your club, / had just sub /
scribed one thousand dollars toward 4
new department Of Art for our Atbcnn- |
UNI We have valuable aud beautiful
collection there, aud when any Of you
are inclined 10 spend few hours pleas
antly and probably, will give you passes
thereto. And for all time you are well
come here. / shall enjoy your society |
whenever you may favor me, and know
that my wife will do her best 10 enter