Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-11-28
AT THE ATHERTONS'.

Mr.. and Mrs. Atherton, and their
two daughters, Helen and Alice, were
sitting one evening in January enjoy
ing new book, which one of the latter
was reading aloud, when a ring was
heard. The reader paused, and, for a
few moments, they remained listening
and expectant. A servant went to the
door and found visitors. Again the
bell rang, and it was kept ringing until
the house was pretty well filed with
neighbors and friends.
"What does it mean ?" said Mrs.
Atherton, in whisper, so soon as they
were alone.
"There is some mistake" remarked
Mr.. Atherton, gravely.
:" A very strange kind of a mistake.
We've sent out no invitations to a
party"
Somebody has taken a very unwar-
rantable liberty, L fear. Still as our
friends have come we must entertain
them"
AS Mr.. Atherton was entering the
rooms, now pretty we'll filed, he was
still more surprised than he had yet
been to hear the movement of a bow
across the strings of violin. This
was repeated three or four times, and
then a familiar air came from the
instrument, and there was movement
in 4ln t., al l.
a cotillon had been formed =; and when
Mr.. Atherton was able to take survey
of the rooms, he discovered grinning
negro fddling away in one corner, and
the obedient dancers threading their
mazy circles in harmony with the strains
he was drawing forth.
Here was new and not so easily ex-
planned feature in the affair. Who had
ordered the music That puzzled him.
But, as he dwelt upon it, light came in.
1t was only one of those harmonious
parts in the practical joke. The indi,
vidual who had amused himself with
sending invitations in the name of the
family had, in the name of the family,
ordered fiddler. So that, after little
reflection, was explained.
Self-composed, affable, and attentive
the Athertons moved amid their com
pany with an easy familiarity, so vel
assumed that few could have detected
even with close observation, the rest
less surprise that lay beneath all.
About nine o'clock, and just as they
were about sending an order for re
freshments, two colored men entered
and bore large basket between then
through the passage into the dining
room. Here they made themselve
perfectly at home. The tables in tn
room were set out, and covered will
cloths which they had brought witt
them. Upon these were arranged ele
CANT china dishes, plates, saucers
etc, with knives, forks, and spoons.
Well, am confounded |" exclaim
ed Mrs. Atherton to her husband, a
the two met in one of the chamber
above for further consultation.
don't know what to make of it."
"Nor do l." returned the husband
"I confess to being entirely pu1
zled."
"It is plain that supper has bee
ordered by some one"
eyes, that is evident enough"
Wouldn't it be we'll to ask som
questions of these colored walters wh
have taken possession of the dininI
room, without so much as saying b
your leave?''
"No-no," replied Mr.. Atherton
"we will ask no questions that woul
betray our ignorance and surprise tc
much"
"There is no need of our sendi1
for refreshments.
"None at all. Instead of conside
ing ourselves entertainers, we may
we'll place ourselves among the ente
tained, and have no further care f
anything"
And so the Athertons acted fro
that time. It was in vain that effor
were made, through the most caref
observation, to detect the master
ceremonies in this singular affair. \
one appeared more forward than Il
others but all acted in such perfe
concert, that it was plain to Mr.. Athe
ton, at length, that some general unde
standing existed among the who
party.
At eleven o'clock, one of the stran
walters came up to Mr.. Atherton al
announced to him that supper W
ready.
"Very WELL" replied Mr.. Alberto
as naturally as if he had ordered Il