The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-09-28
TIE DEACON'S DINNER PARTY.

Deacon Goodman was the very best
man that ever lived. So at least said
his friends al d neighbors, who certain
" ought TO know; and for enemies, he
probably had not one in the world. 1t
is true, however, that the remark above
quoted was generally made as sort of
apologize preface to something like the
following: "But, then, he has such
queer notions; he is so unlike any body
else, that we hardly know what to make
of him." Perhaps these worthy people
were oblivious of the fact, that in order
TO be very good, it is often painful ne
cessity to be different from ones neigh
hors.
We can not better illustrate Deacon
GOodman's peculiarities, than by de-
scribing a little entertainment given by
him at his country seat, not long ago.
For the deacon, with all his unwOrldly
goodness, is a prosperous merchant in
New York, and the owner (by perfectly
fair means) not only of a brown stone
front in the city, but of q charming
suburban residence. The deacOn's wife,
though a very good woman in her way,
was a far less peculiar parsonage than
her husband. She fell quite gracefully
into an amiable conformity with the
WAYS of the world, and is not to be dis
tinguished from tie thousands of good
women-of the wealthy clasS-who
throng our city churches. Their two
daughters, Miss Adelaide and Miss FL
len, had Just left the restraints of a
fashionable school, and enjoyed the
prospects of coming out" another
winter, as fHll-fedged members of So
ciety.
Husband" said Mrs. Deacon, one
May morning, soon after the family mi
grafton to the country, "husband, you
know we did not give that dinner that
we were proposing last winter; what
do you say in having it here inSteadP
We are so convenient to the city that
they can easily come out in coaches. "
'You gave a large party, did you not,
which included all that should have
been your dinner guests?"
"Dear me, yes! but that was quite a
different thing. Now, at this little af-
fair l am speaking of, | should want
only our most particular friends"
"Ohi if that is the plan, like it
WELL" rejoined the warm-hearted dea-
con. "But why not ask them to pass a
week with us?''
"Ask-whom?"
"Weu, your brother Johns family
first; the children would enjoy it-and
then"
"Oh! you don't understand me at
ALI l mean only few of the best
families, whose acquaintance it is most
desirable to cultivate"
"Really, wife, it does not seem quite
honorable to invite guests for our own
selfish purposes. L can sell hardware
with a good conscience, but the hospi-
tality OF my house"
"Who wants to sell the hospitality OF
your house. No, no, my dear, that is
one of your odd notions. Every body
in society does Just as | am proposing
And after all this inviting is doing as
we would be done by"
"True, true," said the deacon, with
a merry laugh. "But why not do this
favor to some one who will value it, tc
whom it will be n real kinGnessi
There are hundreds now whom
could name, to whom day spent among
these green trees in the fresh, sweet all
of the country, would be an event to re
member for a year"
"0h, if you mean a charitable visit
that is very good in its place, but very
different from the idea have in hand
For our children's sake, my dear, it il
really duty to hold our place in GOOD
society,""
The deacon was always accessible tC
considerations of duty. He merely
said:
"Well, name your day, and give mt
the list. | viii have the invitations SEN
from my office.r
"a capital thought, your accountant
there is such splendid penman. AnC
as for the names, you know the familie:
TO whom we are under the greatest obi
cations. | would have the company a.
select as possible, and | viii try L
make the whole affair pass off finely, ;
said the worthy lady, beaminc already
with amiable complacency upon hel
prospective guests.
The expected day arrived. Mrs
Goodman and daughters, their elegant
toilet at last perfected, were seated il
the drawing-room, whose long windows
looked across a cool veranda, and com
manded the way of approach from tn,
city. Though the fingers were occupied
with light fancy work, expectant eye
were glancing continuously down tn,
road TO meet the first arrival. "No on,
will come for an hour yet, you may b
sure," said Mrs. g. ''Your father ha
such a horror for late hours, that h
wanted us to be dressed and waiting b
O'Clock"
III ,,erer saw an nmnihns ON this rna.