The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-03-16

Mrs. Darling opened the door herself,
ushering her friend into the library, and
the two exchanged greetings with all the
warmth of their younger days.
They were so occupied that Mrs. Lane
quite forgot her first impressions until she
went out to the dining room to partake of
the tea which Mrs. Darling assured her
was in waiting.
Then when the cheerful murmur OF
happy voices floated out through the open
parlor doors, her first impression re-
turned to her, and looking up she said:
"You have company tonight, Nellie?
You must not let me keep you from them
any longer
Mrs. Darling, with a smile, my husband
and children. 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 fill! your cup
again.
"How odd," thought Mrs. Lane,
6 that she she should open the parlor just
for her own family"
The evening passed pleasantly; and in
the morning when Mrs. Lane arose, the
air of comfort with which every bright
room in the house seemed full, was very
refreshing.
The morning meal was simple one,
but its tasteful arrangement made it very
inviting, and Mrs. Lane partook Of it
with keener relish than she had known
for many week.
Dinner was all ready when Mr.. OAR
ling came in from his office, and as they
sat down to the neatly-laid table in the
shaded dining room, Mrs. Lane thought
she had never seen happier circle, or
eaten a better meal, though there was
nothing sumptuous placed before them.
! "Nellle," said she, when they were
left alone, Il told you not to 90 to making
company of me. did not want you to
get out your best dishes, nor put yourself
to the least trouble on my account"
1t is exactly what l have not done,
Maria,' she replied, with smile, be-
cause 1 never do it for anybody.
II never saw any reason why should
take more pains for guest than tor my
husband and children.
1--WE occupy the pleasantest room our
selves, because we feel better when our
surroundings are cheerful, and we always
prepare our food and set our table care
more enjoyable.
AACA lSI lily COMPANY tohS liz Juot
as am, sure if they come to see me they
will be satisfied to live as do.'
Well, if you can afford to use every
thing common and live in style all the
time, you will get along, but we should
come upon the town." said Mrs. Lane, a
little sharply.
An expression of pain fitted across Mrs.
| Darling's face when she saw how her
nd hut oh
went on, quietly:
II did not begin housekeeping in this
way. used to think that must shut up
everything sacred to company. So we
occupied the smallest, least pleasant
rooms ourselves, used the plainest and
homeliest things, and even ate our coarsest
food when alone.
THE consequence was we were never
ready to receive company unless in the
most formal way, and then it always
made great deal of trouble; we never
could appreciate any of those agreeable
surprises when our friends drop in un-
announced, and when trying to enter
tain guests were never so fully at ease in
our strange, unused rooms as really to en-
joy it much.
| II thought the matter over and made
up my mind that this was all wrong.
| My dear husband was doing everything
he could to make our home pleasant and
| attractive, while was just keeping him
from enjoying it as he desired by my mis-
| cradle ambition TO appear we'll in the
| eyes of those who would never thank me
for my pains. was making him uncom-
Portable anu worrying out my life for
those who had comparatively no claims
upon me; and besides was forced to see
myself a wicked hypocrite, forced to adj
nit that my Whole life was farce, while
l was all the time straining every nerve to
make our friends think we were living in
a style which we were not, and saw this
could not be right.
81 resolved it should be so no longer.
So opened the parlor doors and threw
back the shutters, used whatever we had
of furniture or food or clothing as we
needed it for our comfort, and when our
friends came to visit us would not al
low myself to spoil my joy at seeing them,
| by doing lot Of extra work on their &C
count, or worrying all the time lest
should leave something undone that might
make them think little better of me.
"Of course it seemed odd enough, and
came rather hard at first, but was salts
fed it was the best way, and so / kept
schooling myself into it till in little
while wondered how l ever done other
wise.
81 was always ready for company now,
and always ready to receive my husband
with a smiling face to a pleasant and or.
derly home.
II know he has been a great deal hap.
pier since the first year, and l never halt
enjoyed anything then.
"The effect upon our children is much
better than if we taught them it is no mat
ter how things were if there were no visit
Ors, for they learn now how to behave
with propriety at all times, and how to use
carefully those things that are worth pre-.
serving.
| Away pity people when I see them
trying to'make great display before their
company, pity them for the thankless la.
Dor they are giving themselves, and fol
the glimpse of their private life which is
thus opened up to me, because / am quite
sure such folks live about as it happens
when alone"
Mrs. Lanes face had changed expires
sion several times as she listened, and
when her friend ceased speaking she
gazed at a picture on the wall opposite hel
for full half minute in silence. s.
"You would be surprised" Mrs. Oar
ling went ON, anticipating her first objec
ton, &" if should tell you that this mode
of living is matter of economy, too, bu
such is the fact.
"You see we set plain table, and oul
food is simple all the time, instead of get
ting expensive Injuries tor company, anG
then pinching ourselves in the vain effor
to make it up.
This makes our table expenses actually
less, while we treat ourselves as we'll 8!
we do our guests, which is perfect justice
as you will see. @
Good, substantial furniture will last ,
long time with little care, even when il
CONSTANT lsa and IL orr eYnon aea In fhi