The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-07-03
Se1fft gturu.
THE DEACON'S PARTY.

= Deacon Goodman was the very besi
man that ever lived. So at least said his
friends and neighbors, who. certainly
Ought to know and as for enemies, he
probably had not one in the world. I,
is true, however, that the remark above
quoted was made sort Of apologetical
preface to something like the following
"But then he has such queer notions, he
lis SO unlike anybody else that we can
hardly know, what to make cf him u
Perhaps these worthy people were oblv.
ious to the fact that in order to be very
good, it is often a painful necessity to be
different from ones neighbors
We cannot better illustrate Deacon
Goodman's peculiarities than by describ
ing little entertainment given by him
at his country seat not long ago. For
the Deacon, with all his unworthy good
ness, is prosperous. merchant in New
York, and the owner, (by perfectly fair
means1 not only of brown stone front
in the city, but of a charming suburban
residence The Deacon's wife, though a
very good person in her way, was far
less peculiar parsonage than her hus-
band. She fell quite gracefully into an
amlcable conformity with the ways of
from the thousands Of other g5od W.. W.
men-of the wealthy class who throng
our city churches, Their two daughters,
Miss Adelaide and Miss Ella, had just
left the restraints OF fashionable school
and enjoyed the prospect of coming
out" in another winter as full fedged
members of society.
Husband said Mrs Deacon, one
May morning, soon after the family mi
grated to the country Husband, you
know we did not give the dinner we were
proposing last winter; what do you say
10 having it here unsteady We are so
convenient to the city that they can easi-
ly come out in coaches"
"You gave large party, did you not,
which included all that should have been
your dinner guests7"
"Dear me, yes but that was differ.
ent thing. Now at this little affair am
speaking of, should want only our
most particular friends"
"Oh! il that is the plan, like it we'll,
responded the warm-hearted deacon !;
.but why not ask them to spend week
with MS 7" '.F III #t5
"Ask-whom ?"
"Well,your brother Johns family first
the children would enjoy it--and them
ooh, you don't understand me al all
j mean only few of the best families,
whose acquaintance it is most desirable
to cultivate. p" I
"Really, wife, it does not seem honor
able to invite guests for our own selfish
purposes / can sell hardware with 8
good conscience, but the hospitality oi
my house," Jrag1
"Who wants to sell the hospitality oi
our house? No, no, my dear, that i;
one of your odd notions. Every one il
society does just as ! am proposing; ant
after all, this inviting is doing as We
would be done BY"
"True, true" said the deacon with
merry la ugh; 'but why not do this favol
to some one who will value it, to whom
! it would be kindness? There are hun
dreds now whom I could name,to whom
day spent among these green trees, il
the fresh sweet air of the country, ,woult
be an event to be remembered for
year" 50" - -.
"Oh, if you mean charitable visit
that is very good in its place, but yer,
different idea have in hand. For ou
chidren's sake, my dear, it is really ou
duty to hold our place in good society
"WeIl, name the day and give me you
Hist; l will have the invitations sent fror
my office" F aH
IA capital thought; your accountau
there is such a good penman; and as ia
the names, you know the families
whom we are under the greatest Obligs
Itions. l would have the company as 81
lect as possible, and will try to max
1.-The thing pass off as finely" said th
worthy lady, beaming already with am
able complacency upon her prosperity
guests.
The expected day arrived; Mrs. Goo
man and daughters, their elegant toll
at last perfected, were seated in IL
drawing room, whose long window
looked across a cool veranda and COZ
manded the way of approach from Il
city. Though the fingers were emplo
ed with light fancy work the eyes we
glancing continually down the road
meet the first arrival.
mo one will come for an hour "
lyou may be sure," said Mrs. Goodma
Your father has such horror OF la
i hours that he wanted us to be dress
and waiting by four o'clock"
II never saw an omnibus on this ro
y before" said Ellen, as one of those p
bian vehicles made its appearance ov
1.-THE brow of the hill.