South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-10-20

much cssss2nter to give her q surprise"
= 1t was evening when she stepped from
the cars. az the end OF her journey, and
taking coach she went at once TO her
friends home. ta
The front rooms are lighted" she
exclaimed - herselfwith some conster.
nation as she stopped at tho door. 81
shonld so much rather have found thcm
alone. ''Oh, dear !''
J Mrs. Darling opened the door her
self. ushering her friend into the library,
ana the two exchanged greetings with
all the warmth Of her younger days.
They were so occupied that Mrs. Lane
quite forgot her first impression until
she went out to the dining room to par
take of the tea Nhhsa Mrs. Darling an.
sLred her was iii waiting.
Then when the cheerful murmur of
happy voices foated ont through the
open parlor doors, her first impression
4 returned 60 her, and look ingup she said:
You have company tonight. Nellie?
You must not let me keep you from
them any longer
Yes, the best Of COMPANY" replied
Mrs. Darling with smile, my husband
and children. Fred has just gone out,
though; but he will be back by the time
/ yoa have finished your tea, and then you
shall sec them all. Let rae fiji your cup
again"
How odd" thought Mrs. Lane, that
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 fell
was very refreshing.
! The morning meal was simple one,
but its tasteful arrangement made it very
inviting, and Mrs. Lane partook OF it
with kecner relish than she had known
for many . week.
Dinner was all ready when lTr. Darl.
ing 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 u better meal, though there was
nothing sumptuous placed before them
Nellie" said she, when they were
left alone, | told you not to 90 making
company for me. did not want you 10
get out your best dishes, nor put yourself
10 the least trouble on ny account"
at is exactly what have not done,
Maria" she replied, because never
do it for anybody. -.
81 never saw any rsasscn why Ishould
take more pains for gItast than for my
husband and children.
1--WE occupy the pleasantest rooms !
ourselves, because We feel better when
our surroundings are cheerful and we
always prepare our food and set our table
a. m l.
| much more enjoyable.
Then let my company take me as
! am, sure il they come TO sec me they
will be satisfied 10 live rs do
"Well, if yog 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,
little sharply.
An expression Of pain Fitted across
Mrs. Darling's face when she saw how
her friend had misunderstood her, but
she went on quietly:
Il did not begin housekeeping in this |
way. | used 90 think / must shut mp
the front part OF the house and keep |
the best OF everything sacred to com
pany. So We occupied tie smallest. |
least pleasant rooms ourselves. used /
the plaipest az ! homeliest things, and I
even ate our plaincst food when alone.
"Ihe consequence was we were never
ready To receive company unless in the /
most formal way, aud then it always |
made great deal ortroublc. Weuever |
could appreciate any OF those agreeable /
surprises when our friends drop in un- |
announced, and when trying 20 entertain 1
Nefq a.. e. l..
strange, unused rooms Is really 10 en-.
JOY it much.
Il thought the matter over and made I
up my mind that it was all wrong. Ms
dear husband was doing everything ho
could do 20 make oar homo pleasant
and attractive while | was Just keeping
him from enjoying it as he desired it by
my miserable ambition 20 appear we'll
in the eyes o. those who would never
thank me for my pains. ] was making
I him uncomfortable anil worrying out
my life for those who lad comparatively
no claims upon me aud besides I was
forced 10 see myself @ wicked hypOcfite,
+ forced % admit that nv whole lifo was q
\ farce, while was all tho time straining
every nerve 20 make our friends think
I we were living ia q style which VIC were
not, and saw This could not be right.
/ 81 resolved 10 should be so no LONGER.
So | opened the parlor doors and threw
back the shutters, used Whatever we
had OF furniture or fool or clothing rs
we needed 10 for orr comfort, and when
our friends came 20 visit u.s. ! would
not allow myself 20 spoil nay joy at
seeing them by doing lot OF extra
work on their account. or worrying all
the time lost I shovll leave someth
undouc chat might make them think a
littlo better O, the.
COZ COur IL seemed old enough and
came rather hard 90 first, but ! was sat.
i5!iod it was the best way. aud 90 1 kept
schooling myself into i: till / wondered
how I ever did Otherwise.
II am always ready for company now,