Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-04-11
Winnl-'s Fortune.

The handsome dlulug.roOm in the May
berry mansion was all a-glitter with floods o
saslight and the genial glow of the tire-fol
Mr. Josiah Mayberry was a very "quee
man." according to his wile's opinion, ami
this fancy OF his to have nasty, a>hy fire
all over the splendid mansion before the
weather became cold enough was one OF hi,
eccentric freaks" Mrs. Mayberry called it
with a curl of her lip. a toss OF the head and
a smile, almost of contempt, directed at thu
bale, hearty, honest-faced old gentleman
who had married her for her pretty face, ten
years ago, when he was an immensely rich
widower with his handsome half-grown SOL
for not undesirable incumbrance.
They were sitting around the handsom,
table, discussing their seven o'clock dinner
with the solemn butler and his subordinate
in silent, obsequious attention-these three
Mayberrys, father, son and the naughty.
well dressed lady who was wearing decided
frown of displeaSure on her face-a frown
she had barely power to restrain from de
generating into verbal expression of anger
while the servants were in waiting, and
which, as the door finally closed on them
leaving the little party alone over the wine
and nuts, burst forth impetuously
81 declare, Mr.. Mayberry, it is too bad
| | have gone over the list OF invitations you
have made, and to think there is not one
no not one-of our set among them, and
such horrid lot of people as you have
named -
Mr.. Mayberry slipped his wine contentedly
81 told you didn't |, Marguerite, that it
was my intention to give an old-fashioned
dinnerY Aud by that meant and mean,
to whom it will, indeed be cause for thank
fulness. As to making grand fuss, aud
| aI lN ,la =.
whom luxurious dinner is an everyday
occurrence shall not do it. Aud as to the
guests on my list being horrid and com
mon,' you are mistaken, my dear, None OF
them have worse failing than poverty.
There is not common, vulgar person
among the ten names on that paper"
Mr.. Mayberrys good old face lighted up
warmly as he spoke, and Ernest Mayberry :
handsome face reflected the satisfaction and
pride he felt in his fathers views Mrs.
Mayberry flushed, but said nothing. She
knew from experience that, kind hearted
and iudugent as her husband was, there
were times when he suffered no appeal from
his decision. This was one OF those times.
We will have dinner ordered for twelve
o'clock, as it used to be when | was a boy
We will have roast turkey, with cranberry
sauce, aud mashed potatoes and turnips,
boiled onions and celery, and all on the ta-
bic at once. For dessert, pie, cheese and
cider and nothing more. Marguerite, shall
give the order to Lorton, or will you at
tend to ~
Mrs Mayberry twisted her diamond ring,
almost roughly. "Oh, don't ask me TO give
such an insane order to him | have no
wish to appear as u laughing stock before
my servants, Mr.. Mayberry. IL will be a,
severe strain ON my endurance as ! am
capable OF to be forced TO sit at Il table with
such people as the Ilurds aud the MaSons
aud that lhyiza Green and her lame brother
aud that little, old Wilmington and his
granddaughter, and =
Mr.. Mayberry interrupted her gently
"Old MIR. Wilmington was u friend OF min,
long before he went TO India. Since he
came home with his sons orphan daughter
and lived in such obScurity-comforta al
though plain, for Winnie earns enough as
, daily goyeness to support them both-l re
gard him more worthy than ever Ernest
my boy. | shalt depend upon YOU TO help en-
tertain our guests, and especially at table
for | shall have no servants about to scare
them out of their appettes
> And Mr. Mayberry dismissed the subject
by arising from the table,
"Would | like to go2 Oh, grandpa,
should Win We go, do you think 2"
The little, wizened old man looked fondll
4 at her over his steel-rimmed glasses.
$50 you'd like to accept Mr.. Mayberry'