The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-07-13
MisceIlan Q @ III g.
Good Society.
THE DEACoN's DINNER PARTY.

Deacon Goodman was the very best man
that ever lived. So at least said his friends
and neighbors, who certainly ought to
know; and for enemies, he probably had
not one in the world. 1t is true, however,
that the remark above quoted was general
ly made sort of apologetical preface to
something like the following "But then
he has such queer notions he is so unlike
anybody else that we hardly know what to
make of him." Perhaps these worthy
people were oblivious to the fact that in
order to be very good, it is often a painful
necessity to be different from ones neigh
bors.
We cannot better illustrate Deacon Good
mans pecuiarities than by describing q
little entertainment given by him at his
country seat, not long ago. For the Dea-
con, with all his unworldly goodness, is a
prosperous merchant, and the owner (by
perfectly fair means) not only of brown
stone front in the city, but of charming
suburban residence.
The Deacon's wife, though very good
person in her way, was 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 distinguished from thousands of other
good women-ot the wealthy class-who
throng our city churches. Their two
| daughters, Miss Adelaide and Miss Ellen,
had Just left the restraints of fashionable
school, and enjoyed the prospects of "com-
| ing out" in another winter as full fledged
members of society.
Husband" said Mrs. Deacon, one May
morning soon after the family migration to
the country, "Husband, you know we did
not give the dinner that we were propos-
ing last winter; what do you say to hay
ing it here instead We are so convenient
to the city that they can easily come out in
coaches"
"You gave large party, did you not,
which included all that should have been
your dinner guests"
"Dear me, yes but that was quite diff
ferent thing. Now at this little affair l
am speaking of, l should want only our
most particular friends"
"Oh if that is the plan, like it WE'LL"
rejoined the warm-heaIted Deacon, "But
why not ask them to spend q week with
us?"
| "Ask-whom {"
"Well, your brother Johns family first
the children would enjoy it-and then"
"Oh, you don't understand me at all l
mean only few of the best families, whose
acquaintance it is most desirable to cult
vate."
| "Really, wife, it does not seem honorable
to invite guests for our own selfish pur-
| poses. l can sell hardware with good
conscience, but the hospitality of my
| house."
"Who wants to sell the hospitality of
your. house. No, no, my dear, that is one
of your odd notions. Everybody in socie-
ty does just as am proposing. And, af-
ter all, this inviting is doing as we would
| be done BY"
"True, true" said the Deacon with q
merry laugh. "But why not do this favor
to some one who will value it, to whom it
will be real kindness. There are hun
dreds now whom could name, to whom
day spent among these green trees, in the
fresh, sweet air of the country, would be
an event to be remembered for year."
ooh, if you mean a charitable visit, that
is very good in its place, but very differ
ent idea have | in hand. For our chill
dren's sake, my dear, it is really our duty
to hold our place in good society,""
The Deacon was always accessible to
considerations of duty. He merely said
| swell, name your day, and give me the
list. Twill have the invitations sent from
my Office"
"a capital thought; your accountant
there is such splendid penman. And, as
for the names, you know the families to
whom we are under the greatest obliga.
tiens. would have the company as select
as possible, and l will try to make the af-
fair pass off finely" said the worthy lady,
beaming already with amiable complacen-
cy upon her prospective guests.
The expected day arrived, Mrs. Good
man and daughters, their elegant toilets at
last perfected, were seated in the drawing
room, whose long windows looked across a
cool veranda, and commanded the way of
approach from the city. Though the
fingers were occupied with light fancy
work, the eyes were glancing continuously
down the road to meet the first arrival.
:" No one will come for an hour yet, you
may be sure" said Mrs. G. "Your father
has such horror for late hours, that he
wanted us to be dressed and waiting by
four o'clock"
II never saw an omnibus on this road be-
FORE" said Miss Ellen, as one of these pie
beiane vehicles made its appearance over
the brow of the hill
chartered for some special purpose"
said the mother, presently, as she unused
upon the dinner.
"There is another" said Adelaide.
"And another" said Ellen.
"There is quite procession of them,"
said the mother.
"And the first one is stopping at our
gate," said Ellen.
"What in the world do all those forlorn-
looking creatures want here" cried AIDE
laide, in CONSERVATION. il
"Do 60 and send them away before our
company comes" said Mrs Goodman.