Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-03-15
MY WIFE'S NEW FRIEND.

Mrs. Jones has quite habit of cult
waiting new friendships, which have
every appearance of blooming cternally,
but which soon wither in the world 5
cold blasts used to think this char
acteristc was confined to schoolgirls.
who swear immortal fidelity i'll letters
crossed and recrosSed, but forget each
other rs soon rs they have caught n
lover.
My wifc's last acquisition in the way
Of u bosom friend is Mrs. Mortimer
Mowbray, with whom she became ac-
quaintcd last summer, while We were
boarding out Of town. Mrs. Mortimer
Mowbray had her carriage with her, and
created quite Il sensation-in fact, every
lady i'll the house was eager to become
her contidante; but the amiahle deport-
ment of Mrs. Jones, combined, / doubt
not, with her intellectual accomplish
ments, rendered her the favorite, and
she it was who daily occupied the spare
seat i'll the coach, and had the honor Of
advising Mrs Mortimer Mowbray in
those thousand grave perpleXities under
which women suffer.
We returned to the city after theMow-
hrays; but my wife, though usually
very firm on questions of etiquette,
waived her privileges on this occasion,
and made the first call. She was gya-
ciously received, and came home in
nigh spirits. All that evening She could
do nothing but talk Of Mrs Mortimer
Mowbray. { Such an elegant estab-
lishment," she said A footman,
with manners like a prince, waited ut
the door. The drawing room was the
perfection of luxury and taste. Mrs.
Mowbray had on such sweet cap, and
altogether looked so lady-like. Her
manners were, indeed, most aristo-
cratic, Just what those Of a countess are
supposed to be.
In few days Mrs. Mortimer Now
bray returned my wifes call coming III
shining new carriage, and with new
span of horses, Her equipage created
quite a sensation i'll our street.
Mrs Jones, soon after this, began to
act as if brooding over some vast de-
sign, which not being maturcd, she
deemed it wisest TO be silent respecting.
At last the mighty secret was broached.
~ was thinking, Jones" She said,
ono night, just as | was composing
myself to sleep OH my pillow, that
we ought to give a party Not regu.
lar ball, indeed, but select entertain-
mcnt, where Il few congenial minds
may he brought together | should
like to introduce my dear Mrs. Now
bray to somc of the choicest Of oul
set
Now, ! detest parties, small or large,
but, as the delicaey of my wifc's nerves
does not allow of her being thwarted,
made no objection to the proposal
though | sighed to myself.
"Of course my dear" | said. You
know best
"Wel about thirty, continued my
wife warming with the subject. There's
Mrs. Wharton and Mrs. Horace Shinn
and Mrs. Price, and the Misses Trelaw.
ney.' and thus the dear creature ran on
until She had mentioned about forty
names, and | saw that her select party
ofcongenial souls was going to be, after
al, crowded rout.
"Gou have forgotten the two Misses
Howell" | said 1T last, when my wife
stopped for want Of breath.
The two Misses Howell were amiable
intelligent and pretty girls, i'll whom
took particular interest, because then
father had once been an extensive ship.
ping merchant. but, having become re.
duccd and died bankrupt, the sisters
we're Obliged t. earn d livelihood bv
standing III i store. They had numer-
ous rich relations on whom they might
have billeted themselves, hut With Ii
spirit of proper independence, they
preferred towork for their maintenance
instead Of eating the bread Of charity
| had long nouri.hed a romantic idea d
seeing them married we'll and had con-
,eauentlv made il 4 point always to
invite them % our parties 70 praise
them highly to the young gentlemen
there, and iii every other indirect way.
t0 assist i'll realizing my pet scheme.
Ny wife, heretofore, had seconded
me in my benevolent plan; but on the
present occasion she hesitated to reply,
and | knew at once something was the
matter
Anem she said at last clearing