Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-26

THE DOUBLE SURPRISE PARTY.
A STORY OF NEW YORK LIFE.

When Mr.. and Mrs. Sinclair Hubbard
had been married ten years lacking ten
days. the lady took it into her head that it
would be delightful to give her husband
Surprise Party. Not one of your vulgar
surprise parties-where people you don't
want nor expect come tumbling in upon
you, when the baby has scarlet fever, and
you haven't crimped your hair for week
but an elegant, very select company of
the first people in society, duly invited and
prepared for. The only person to be sur
prised was her dear Sinclair.
Now, how to manage itp Pretty Mrs.
Hubbard had a little money Of her own in
bank-so every woman should have, for
use in such emergencies. There was no
serious difficulty in tho case, except to
manage so important an affair without the
one most interested receiving any hint of
it. 1t is mistake on the part of a man to
suppose that woman cannot keep secret.
She can. Mrs. Hubbard did.
She went around and invited the select
ed ones in person, with an injunction not
to allow breath to be breathed about the
affair to the unconscious parsonage in
whose honor it was to be given. She also
went to Delmonico's and ordered the sup
per. Then she proceeded to Dodworth's
and engaged the music. And upon the
mouth Of each and every person engaged
in preparation she placed seal. Del
monico understood that the bills were to
be sent to Mrs. Hubbard. Dodworth was
bound over to make no remark, but to have
five members of his band at Mrs. Hubbard's
house at the appointed hour.
All went merry as marriage bell. Not
breath Of suspicion hoated in the air. Mr.
Hubbard went and came in sublime un-
consciousness of the approaching festivi-
ties. The champaign was delivered at the
house during those morning hours when
the gentleman was at his place of business.
Ten days soon flew by, and the morn
ing of the anniversary dawned as bright
as heart could desire. Mrs. Hubbard's
spirits. somewhat depressed by anxiety
lest all should not be as successful as she
desired, arose to degree Of buoyancy
when she opened her eyes upon the beau
tiful day. When she descended to the
breakfast-room there lay upon her plate u
delightfully."- suggestive morocco case,
which she hastily opened, uttering an ex-
clamation of rapture as she beheld hand
some set of diamonds. OF course she hug
ged and kissed her darling Sinclair. feel
ing doubly glad to think of the happy sur
prise in store for him. He, too, was in ex-
cellent spirits.
As he kissed her In the hall, before GO
ing down town. he asked her if she could
not have dinner at five instead of six that
afternoon. This just suited her, and she
assured him that she could.
"But, Sinclair, you do not think of GO
ing out on our anniversary night?" she
asked, alarmed at the idea that he might
absent himself when most wanted.
He colored deeply, and stammered. say
ing II shall not go out unless you accom-
pany me, to be sure, Lizzie"
"Oh, my dear, think it would be so
much nicer to pass the evening at home
quietly, at home, you knowp"
''Very well, my precious" he answered.
rather obviously. "But should like you
to wear your diamonds to crafty your
II vii! dear, with the greatest pleasure
Imaginable
Then they kissed again, and Lizzie
danced through the hall, thinking 10 her.
self, 81 can dress AS much as please now.
without exciting his suspicion. He will
think l am dressing for himr
His present of the diamonds caused her
to be even more extravaeant than she had
intended to be; she sent out for large
quantity of flowers to oe made up and sent
in at seven O'Clock that evening.
II will invent some errand which will
take Sinclare out of the house from seven
until nine. Our friends will all be here
by that time, for l obtained their promises
to be punctual. They will be snre to
come early In order to enjoy his surprise. y
1t was rather a long day to Mrs. Hub
bard although she contrived to spend the
afternoon comfortably in trying on the
new dress which arrived just after lunch
"a party dress Of white silk and puffed
tulle almost as bride-like as her wedding
dress-and having her beautiful dark hair
dressed in the height Of the style.
During lunch she had summoned the
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