The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-06-04
ANINVITATION TO BREAKFAST.

walk out to my house and have
breakfast with me some morning.
Such WAS the invitation given to me
one day by Mr.. RuDertson, genial,
nisiaie agei sniiuiIor ~ wlsuami was
articled, IN the thriving town of
Abbeyton.
Now, l had only been articled for
a few weeks and what had seen of
Mr.. Robertson in business made me
wish to know him and his in their
private life; hence l was much de
lighted to have this opportunity of
gratifying my wish. A few days
afterward, waking up and finding a
glorious summer sun streaming into
my room, l speedily decided that
this was just the kind of morning on
which | should accept the invitation
to break fast at Abbey Grove; and in
few minutes l was on Iay way
thither.
Abbey Grove was situated about
two miles from the town, and consist
ed of a small cluster of villas. built
in prettily situated spot, which,
generations ago, had formed part of
the grounds of an old Abbey. The
only remains of this ancient build
ing, however, were few yards of
crumbling wall, with here and there
vpstiges OF what one time had been
traceried windows; these, with nu-
merous mounds of stones al d massn-
ry were all that was now left to tell
OF what had been there centuries ago.
Most of these mounds were now
covered with grass and shrubs and
trees, and thus formed delightfully."-
secluded retreat, which the inhabi-
tanls of Abbey Grove villas enjoyed
in common.
The einvigorating charms ofan early
walk on summers morning need
no description. The pure air, the
genial sun, the twittering of the birds
the sparkling dew, and soft low
breeze, all tend to exhilerate ones
spirits and to make the day pleaSan
ter and happier throughout. All
these experiences were mine on the
day l write Of AS l approached
, bbey Grove and saw houses peep
ing from out the surrounding trees, |
commenced wondering as to what
kind of residence would he occu
pied Dy Mr.. Robertson, how it would
be furnished, what kind of people his
wife and family would be like, and
the kindred things that you speculate
upon when going to visit "A house for
the first time. Last, but by no means
least, as my walk continued, | won
dered what kind breakfast there
would be to appease the appetite
stimulated by the breeze.
walked down the short avenue
leading to the houses, and then began
to wonder Which of the half-dOzen
villas l was bound for. This small
community dispensed with numbers
on their houses, nor did they even
distinguish them by the ambitions
and ridiculous names which you see
so stuck up on most suburban res
licences. No; nothing savoring so OF
the town for their group of country
residents; they all call their several
houses by the name of Abbey Grove;
and the stranger had to take his
chance of having to go to each of the
houses in turn, before he found the
particular one he sought. Fortune
favored me, however. by sending
across my path travelling directory
in the shape of the local mi:kman
and in response to my inquiry as to
which house was Mr.. Robertson's, |
received the straightforward reply:
This 'ere one as Ive jist com from,
SIR Walking up the path / found
the door invltingly open, and the
housenlaid putting the finishing touch
on the bell-handle.
Master is not down yet, SIR she
replied to my inquiry as to whether
he was at home, which, considering
the time of day, really appeared an
absurd question to ask the girl but
we get accustomed to use stereStyped
phrases under some circumstances.
oh, then, | will come in and watt
replied.
Just tell him Mr.. Brooks has call
ed, and he will understand
So saying, the girl showed me into
snug little breakfast-room, where
the sunbeams and the fresh morning
air seemed to be vying with each
other as 10 which she uld have pos