The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-01-15
Mrs. BANKS "MUSIClLE.'
BY EBEN Z, RExFoRD.

Mrs. Jones had given a croquet par
ty. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Danks wer'
rivals in society, and of course th'
latter lady at once cast about in hel
mind for some means Of getting th,
start of her tdear friend They wer,
always the best of friends when TO-
gether, but behind each others back.
they couldn't say cutting things
enough about each other.
Il tell you what said Mrs. Danks
to her daughters, 'we'll have a music
ale. That will be something new here
Croquet parties are so common that
would not think of giving one. Mrs.
Jones wouldn't haye had one If il
hadn't been the only way she could
show off that ridiculous costume OF
hers. Didn't she look horrid though 2
The idea of a woman of forty-five,
and I shouldn't wonder if fifty or
more, rugged ont in .. croquet dress
Such figure as she's got, too! l had
to laugh at her, but told her she
looked as well as / eyer saw her, and
she swallowed it all for gospel truth.
She does think she's splendid player
don't she2 was really in hopes that
she'd get beaten. She would, too, If
she'd played an honest game. l know
she cheated. Mrs. Perkins said she
saw her kick her ball into position
twice when no one was looking.
II was settled that they should have
a musicale. The two oldest Dank
girls would play and sing, and their
cousin would sing, and Mr.. Speed, the
young gentleman from the
city would sing. He would delight
the guests with one of his comic selec-
tions and the young ladies would rem
der sentimental pieces. Mrs. Danks
was delighted at securing Mr.. Speeds
services. He had paid some attention
to Miss Lottie Jones, and Mrs. Jones
had limited that he was smitten. Now
she could show Mrs. Jones that the
young gentleman was very attentive
to her daughters, for he spent nearly
every evening with them, practicing,
and Miss Lottie was left to pine in
The evening of the party came.
Mra. Jones was on hand promptly.
How did you ever happen to think
Of such q thing3' she said to Mrs.
Danks. I really don't believe there
was ever anything of the kind here
before, they're 80 very common in the
;ity, that they are not in favor with
people. But here, of
course, it doesn't matter. You have
Iach an advantage oyer the rest of us,
,our family is so musical
At this Mrs. Jones gave her friend
Mrs. Green, a nudge, that she might
understand that the remark was in
ended to be sarcastic. Whereupon
Mrs. Green felt it to be her duty to do
roper justice to her friends keen wit,
md laughed so much behind her hand
that her stomach came near
making whirlpool of itself and swal-
owing that useful article of woman's
oilet a la malestrom.
What did make you say that p she
Isked, as soon as Mrs. Dank's back
vas turned; you wicked womanI
hought l should die. Hell he hei I
leclare you are too bad, really. Did
You see how it cut her? She turned
.s red as a'-Mrs. Green foundered
round in the shallow waters of her
mind for . simile, but found none and
concluded her comparison with tie (!
lep % +s.4 .--l.ae .f
Il like to take her down when she
.ets TO putting on airs answered Mrs.
ZONES, who prided herself on her fac
,lty for saying sharp things. 'The
dea of her getting up a musical par
y when her girls can't sing to speak
I'll It's an imposition on good nature
md was bound to let her know l
hought so.'
The sound of the piano indicated
hat the evenings entertainment had
,egun. Mrs. Jones, with Mrs. Green
n tow, elbowed her way to the corner
where Mrs. Danks was, that she might
ay sharp things to that worthy lady,
an opportunity was pre-
ented.
Miss Evalina Danks, and her cousin,
Miss Birdie, opened the party with q
luet on the piano.
Il don't think l ever heard that be.
ore,' said Mrs. Jones sweetly, to Mrs.
Oanks.
Probably not answered Mrs.
banks, with great condescension. It's
lasslcal music.
This time Mrs. Green had to use her
to conceal her smiles
rom Mrs. Jones, who hadn't any,
hing sharp in readiness for Mrs.
0anks.
When the applause that the Duet
allied out had subsidized, Miss Bella
banks took her place at the piano and
made extensive preparations for an
ttack on that much suffering instru-