Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-18

II away until We have company"
II won't hurt IL any, mother" the girl
replied hesitatinRly. II am sure We want |
10 look we'll for ourselves, and ! think
father likes to see us Fixed up little some
times"
"Nouscnse, child. Do as 1 tell you
and don't you put that on again unless
there is somebody here IL Is setting Fanny
bad example, and won't encourage such
silly notions"
Days aud weeks went by and the sum
mer slipped into autumn, while the Lanes
we're still pursuing the even tenor Of their
way save now and then when they were
jOstled aside little by the advent Of
visitors.
But they always fell back on their old
habits as soon as the company had gone.
shutting up their pleasantest rooms and
putting away the prettiest and best of
everything to save for company.
1t is strange how Mr. Lane could have
been in a pleasant mood whom his coffee
was muddy-it wasn't worth the while 10
make anything nice for ones own folks
when the toast was burned and the break
fast table looked so shabby with its old
cracked dishes, it is strange how he could
have been in pleasant mood, but he
smiled and looked kindly at his wife Que
morning proposing what she loved to hear
best OF anything, that she should 20 TO
neiebboring village and spend week with
her dear old friend, Mrs Darling.
1.-The girls are 20 large they can get
along very we'll without you for few days"
he said "then | will take them and come
after you, so we will all have little rsorea-
ton" .uU U1fT
The preparations were speedily made
and Mrs Lane departed, having charged
her daughters to do everything in her
absence Just as when she was at home, to let
alone the saucers and sweetmeats and all
the dainties which she kept for visitors
she had looked TO them and knew they
would take no harm before her return--and
to be sure and not use any of the company
things
She and Mrs Darling had been very dear
friends in their girihOod and, unlike many
others. had kept warm their mutual attach.
ment after they we're married.
Their husbands were chums at college,
had begun life at the same time and under
similar circumstances, and were now both of
them doing good and successful business
Mrs Darling had two daughters Of about
the same ages as Jenny and Fanny Lane,
and then there were three younger children,
black.eyed, fun-ovipg boys.
"Nellic is at home," Mrs Lane had said
10 her husband, "for she wrote to me last
week and believe shant send her word
that am coming, it will be so much pleas
anter to give her a surprise"
1t was evening when she stepped from the
cars at the end Of her journey, and taking n
coach she went at once to her friends home.
The front rooms are lighted" she ex.
claimed to herself with some CONSERVATION
as she stopped at the door. $50 Of course
they have company should SO much rather
have found them alone. Oh, dear"
Mrs Darling opened the door herself ush-
ering her friend into the library. and the two
exchanged greetings with all the warmth Of
their younger days.
They were go occupied that Mrs Lane
quite forgot her first impressions until she
went out to the dining room to partske Of the
tea which Mrs Darling assured her was in
waiting.
Then when the cheerful murmur Of happy
voices aoated ont through the open parlor
doors her first Impression returned to her,
and looking up she said
"You have company tonight, Nelly p
You must not let me keep you from them
any longer"
Yes, the best Of company" replied Mrs.
Darling with smile, "my husband aud chill
, dren. Fred has just gone out though, but
he will be back by the time you have finished
your tea, and then you shall see them all
Let me Gil your cup again"
"How odd" thought Mrs Lane. "that she
should open the parlor just for her owl
family"
The evening passed pleasantly; and it
the morning When Mrs Lane arose, the all
Of comfort with which every bright room il
the house seemed full was very refreshing
The morning meal was a simple one, bu
its tasteful arrangement made it very inVit
ing, and Mrs Lane partook Of it with 1
keener relish than she had known for many
week. TIA
Dinner was all ready when Mr. Darling
; came 10 from his office, aud as they sat dow
to the neatly laid table in the shaded dining
room Mrs Lane thought she had never seer
, happier circle or eaten better meal, though
E there was nothing sumptuous placed befor'
them.
;. "Nelie," said she when they were lei
! alone, 81 told you not to go to making com
Q pany Of me. l did not want you to get on
r your best dishes nor put yourself to the leas
trouble on my account"
a at is exactly what have not done, Ma
ria" she replied with a smile, because
J, never do it for anybody"
. " never saw any reason why / SHOULD
Q take more pains for a guest than for m,
e husband and children.
z I'VE occupy the pleasautest room our
Q selves because we feel better when our sur
r roundings are cheerful, aud wc always pre-
o pare our food and set our table CAREFUL
and neatly, our meals are 50 much more en-
y joyable.
g Then let my company take me jus
n as am, sure if they come to see me the
J. will be satisfied to live as do"
!. "Well, if you can afford to use everythin
9 common aud live in style all the time 20
will get along, but we should come upon til
II town." said Mrs Lane, little sharply.
IS An expression of pain fitted across Mr.
is DarliDg's face when she saw how her frlOn
had misunderstood her, but she went on qu
8, city;
d 81 did not begin housekeeping in thi
is way | used to think then | must shut u
n the front Of the house aud keep the best c
everything sacred to company so we o,cu
10 pied the smallest least pleasant room ouI
y selves, used the plainest aud homelisst thing
d and even ate our coarsest food when alon,
THE consequence was we were neve
n ready to receive company unle's in the moi
d formal way, and then 1t always made grss
Q, deal Of trouble; We never could appreciat
Te any OF those agreeable surprises when on
or friends drop in unannounced, and when try