Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-03-16

think father likes to see US fixed up Iit-
tie sometimes
"Nonsense, child Do as tell you.
and don't you put that On again unless
there Is somebody here; IL is setting
Fanny bad example. and won't en-
courage such silly notions" .
DAYS and weeks went by and the sum-
mer slipped into autumn, while the Lanes
were still pursuing the even tenor IT their
way. save now and then when they were
Josiled aside little by the advent Of Wis
itors.
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 ey-
crything TO save for company.
IL Is strange how Mr.. Lane could have
| been in q pleasant mood when his coffee
/ was muddy--it wasn't worth the while TO
| 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, il IL strange how he could
have been In pleasant mood, but ne
smiled and looked kindly nj his wife one
morning, proposing what she loved 10 hear
best OF anything, that she should go TO q
neighboring village ancspend a week Win
her dear old friend, Mrs. Darling.
1.-THE girls are so large they can get
along very well without you for few
Claws, |" he said 9 then will take them
and come after you, 50 we Will all have
| little recreation"
The preparations were speedily made,
and Mrs. Lane departed, having charged
her daughters TO DO everything In her abr
sence lust Az when she was 1T home, 10 let
alone The sauces and sweetIneats,, ard all
the dainties which she kept for VISITORS
abe had looked To them and knew they
would take no harm before her return
and 10 be sure and not to use any Of the
g company things"
She and Mrs Darling had been very
dear friends In their girlhood, and, I'M
like many others, lad kept warm their
mutual attachment after they were mar
ried.
Their husbands were chums at college,
had begun life ut the same time, and IN
der similar circumstances, and were now
both Of them doing good and successful
business.
Mrs, Darling had two daughters, 81
about the same ages rs Jenny and Fanny
Lane. and then there we're three younger
children, black.cyed, fun-ioving boys.
Nellie Is at home" Mrs. Lane had said
TO her husband I" for she wrote 10 me las
week; and | believe / shan't send hei
word that am coming, 1t will be 80 much
pleasanter 10 give her surprise"
1t was evening when she stepped from
the cars at the end OF her journey, anc
taking coach she went at once 10 hel
friends home.
"Thc front rooms are lighted" she ex
claimed 10 herself with some consterna
ton AZ she stopped at the door, $50 o
course they have company; ! should 81
much rather have found them alone. Oh
dear"
Mrs. Darling opened the door herself
ushering her friend into the library, ant
the two exchanged greetings with all TIL
warmth Of their younger days.
They were so occupied that Mrs. LAM
quite forgot her first impressions until sh,
went out 10 the dining 10 partake o
the ten which Mrs Darling assured he
was in waiting.
Then when the cheerful murmur o
happy voices fioated out through the opei
parlor doors, her first impression re
turned TO her, and looking up she said
You have company tonight, Nellie
You must not let Inc keep you from then
Eyes, the best Of company" replies
: Mrs. Darling, with smile, my HUSBAND
and children. Fred has just gone out
though, but he will be back by the tim
you have finished your tea, and then yo'
Shall sec them all. Let me I'LL your cul
again"
GLOW odd thought Mrs. Lane
!" that she she should open the parlor jus
. for her own family"
: The evening passed pleasantly; and II
the morning when Mrs. Lane arose, tn
air of comfort with which every brigh
room I'm the house seemed full, was yer.
refreshing
The morning meal was a simple one
: but It's tasteful arrangement made II yer,
' inviting, and Mrs Lane parto0k of
with kcener relish than she had know
for many week.
Dinner was all ready when Mr., Oar
|, ling came In from his Office, and rs the.
I. sat down to the neatly laid table In tn
shaded dining room, Mrs Lane though
she had never seen happier circle, o
Y eaten IA better meal, though there Wa
. nothing suMptuors placed before them
Nellie" said she, when they wer
left alone, :" told you not to go to makini
: company Of me. did not want you 4
get out your best dishes, nor put yoursel
To the least trouble on my account"
at IL exactly what | have not done
. Maria" she replied, with smile, A" he
: cause never do IL for anybody.
/" | never saw any reason why | shoul'
take more pains for guest than tor III.
, husband and children.
I'VE occupy the pleasantcst room our
: selves, because we feel better when ou
surroundings are cheerful, and we Away
, prepare our food and set our table care
! fully and neatly, our meals are 30 mucl
more enjoyable.
Then Let my company take me jus
as um, sure III they come TO see me they
will be satisfied 10 live rs l do"
well, II you can afford to use every
, th!ng common and live in style all th,
, time, you will get along, but we shoulc
come upon the town." said Mrs. LANE, ,
. little sharply.
An expression of pain fitted across Mrs
, Darling's face when she saw how hel
| friend had misunderstood her; but sh,
went on, quietly:
. II did not begin housekeeping In this
way. used to think that must shut uI
T the front OF the house and keep the best o
everything sacred to company. SO W,
occupied the smallest, least pleasant