The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1880-11-06
A HURRIED DINNER.

n lAO1tlilLD bANAsA AAt
sob, SEQ here. Lizzie, I shan't b.
home to dinner today; there's {
lot to do at the Office, aud I'll no
come home"
This speech came from my liegC
lord, Charley, os /. he popped hi:
head in 1T the front door, after he
had started to his business.
"AEI right" said l..
The head popped out again, ant
Tad,lcl to myself:
aMishty glad Of it. I won't have
any dinner to get, and | will have i
good day to work up stairs"
So I cleared away the breakfast
tidied up the rooms, and after that
took myself off up stairs.
we had not been keeping house
very long, and I made it u rule not
to let things become soilel by using,
but to keep them clean anl fresh.
But up stairs there were certain
trunks and boxes that needed rem.
ovating; some Of the summer
clothing was to be packed away and
the winter wear got out and made
ready for use.
I tied a handkerchief over my
head TO keep out OF the dust, pulled
trunks and boxes out of the closet,
and set 10 work. l was in the very
midst off when I heard footsteps
ut the front door, and directly it
opened. 1t wus Charley, | knew,
for he had Il latcl,-key and was ac-
customed TO let himself in. l
jumped to my feet.
"Charley, and not sign OF din
nerl" exclaimed. she said he
wouldn't come. What can have
brought him"
The sound Of voices, as | stood
listening, assured ME OF what Char
ley had brought. Visitors, and |
in such a plight. Charley came
running up stairs, with his face in
II glow.
aWhy, why, little woman, what's
ull this? Icouldn't find you any
where down stairs. Isn't IL dinner
timc?"
@Yes, Charley, but you said you
were not coming home, and |
didn'twant anything for myself"
swell, IL wasn't. Butwho do
you tkinkI met?n ==
don't know, I'm sure,
"It was Liston and=liis wife
5fheywere on their wayEto a hotel,
but:ofcourse wouldn't=allow that.
just brought 'cm home with inc to
dinner
E"I have no doubt there was 4
spice Of ironyin the tone in which
l answered, calmly:
"Ycs, I see YOU did. WE'LL I hope
you also remembered to stop at the
butchers and send in something for
them to eat"
"Well, I declare, little woman, |
forgot the butcher. But daresav,
you can scare up something. Only
hurry, for they've only an hour or
so to- spare. They're off again this
evening"
I knew it was of no use to say to
IL man, "Why didn't you send mt
word?" It wouldn't teach him to
send it next time. So I only said
"Well, 70 down and entertain
them, ami ri come as soon as
can change my dress" 400
Charley obeyed, and I hurriedly
dressed, not in the pleasantest
mood.
They were old friends of Char.
ley's, and | had looked forward Ia
meeting them with pleasure, but
knew Mrs. Liston was quoted us
the very pattern Of all pattern
housekeepers. I knew, too, that
she Ind means and servants ut het
command, while I had neither, and
dreaded to receive her in such a
manner, more than could tell
many a suffering sister will readily
comprehend. What with my hasty
dressing, I knew my cheeks were
flushed, and my hair tumbIed
But it was too late to wait, so I rar
down. and stood fire during the in
Productions as well as I could.1uitt
conscious that instead of appearing
my best I was appearing my worst
as even Charley could see. A.