Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-02-01
MY WIFE'S NEW FRIEND.


Mrs. Jones has quite habit of cultivat-
ing new friendships, which have every ap-
pearance Of blooming eternally, but which
soon wither in the worlds cold blasts. [
used to think this characteristic was con-
fined to schoolgirls, who swear immortal
fidelity in letters crossed and recrossed, but
forget each other as soon as they have
caught a lover.
My wife's last acquisition in the way of
bosom friend is Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray,
with whom she became acquainted last
summer, while we were boarding out Of
town. Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray had her
carriage with her, and created quite a SEN
sation-in fact, every lady in the house
was eager to become her confidante but
the amlable department. of Mrs. Jones,
combined, doubt not, with her intellect
ual accomplishments, rendered her the IA
vorite, and she it was who daily occupied
the spare seat in the coach, and had the
honor ofadvising Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray
in those thousand grave perplexities I'M
der which women suffer.
We returned to the city after the Now
brays; but my wife, though usually very
firm on questions of etiquette, waived her
privileges ON this occasion, and made the
first call. She was graciously received,
and came home in high spirits. All that
evening she could do nothing but talk of
Mrs, Mortimer Mowbray. ''Such an ele
CANT establishment she said. "a foot
man, with manners like prince, waited
at the door. The drawing-room was the
perfection of luxury and taste. Mrs. Now
bray had on such sweet cap, and altoge-
ther looked so lady like. Her manners
were, indeed, most aristrocratic, just what
those of Countess are supposed to be-"
In a few days Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray
returned my wifes call, coming in a shin
ing new carriage, and with new span of
hcrses. Her equipage created quite SEN
sation in our street.
Mrs. Jones, soon after this. began to act
as if brooding over some vast design, which
not being matured, she deemed it wisest
to be silent respecting. At last the Nigh
ty secret was preached.
Il was thinking JONES'" she said, one
night, just as I was composing myself to
sleep en- my pillow, ''that we ought to give
a party. Not regular ball, indeed, but
select entertainment, where few congeni-
al minds may be brought together I should
like to introduce my dear Mrs. Mowbray
to some of the choicest of our set.''
Now | detest parties, small or large;
but, as the delicacy of my wife's nerves
does not allow of her being thwarted. I
made no objection to the proposal though
[ sighed to myself
"Of course, my DEAR" I said. "You
know best.'
swell. 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 Of congo
NAL souls" was going to be, after all, a
crowded rout.
'You have forgotten the two Misses
Howell [ said at last, when my wife stop
ped for want of breath.
The two Misses Howell were amiable,
intelligent, and pretty girls, in whom I
took particular interest, because their ia
Their had once been an extensive shipping
merchant, but, having become reduced and
died bankrupt, the sisters were obliged to
earn LIVELIHOOD by standing in store.
They had numerous rich relations on whom
they might have billeted themselves, but
with spirit of proper independence, they
preferred to work for their maintenance
instead of eating the bread of charity. I
had long nourished romantic idea of see
ing them married we'll, and had conse-
quently made it, point always to invite
them to our parties; to praise them highly
to the young gentleman there and in every
other indirect way, to assist in realizing
my pet scheme.
My wife, heretofore had seconded me in
my benevolent plan but on the present
occasion she hesitated to reply and knew
at once there was something the matter.
"Ahem p she said at last, clearing her
throat. ''Ahem! The Misses Howell are
very nice girls, to be sure-that is, in
there place-but as it is to be select par
ty, and as have already mentioned ratb-
er too many, and as Mrs. Mowbray may
not want to meet all sorts of people, and
ASH
"Stop, my DEAR" said I, with a sigh,
for saw that my favorites were not to be
invited, ''you have given good reasons
enough. 1t is great pity though And
1 sighed again-a sigh eloquent of passive
resignation.
NV wife heard my signs, and her tender
heart was touched. She paused a mo-
mani in embarrassment. and parhans