Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-08-11

blue gown and amber tie; for my period
of weeds was over. What did it mean
Was it the livery of the table d'hote =?
Was it considered good taste ? Or were
they really in such grief that they had
elected to travel in order TO disperse
some of their sorrow? | could not de-
eide, SO / looked again. Then / saw
that almost all the men were clergymen,
and the rest rough-looking people III
shooting-coats, with tanned faces. Be
side me, on one side, an elderly gentle
man of amiable appearance, trade un-
mistakably marked upon him; on the
other, u lad with aquiline nose and
retreating chin. | could not tackle him,
for | always detest boys or any men
under thirty. l turned to my other
neighbor, rather uncertain, if it was the
thing to speak to ones neighbor, and
said: "Do you think it will rain ?'-I
noticed afterwards that it was raining
but then one cannot be expected to
think of everything-and the old gentle
man answered pleasantly that he thought
it would. After that we got on capltally
We began talking on all sorts of subjects,
even the Academy; he had seen great
many pictures that had somehow over
looked, and | felt quite at my ease and
at home, and laughed just as l do when
l am happy, when a sharp Luke, my
dear, don't you see l want the salt? 2
from the wife on the other side brought
us up short, and | had to hold my tongue
while my neighbor soothed his better
half's irritated feelings.
At the head of the table was parson,
evidently looked upon MS person of
Importance, for reference was made to
his opinion on all subjects, from Church
questions to trout-fshing. The man
next him was stout and jocular, and car
ried on running conversation with the
waiter, in this wise-''Yes I'll take some
more beef and some of the greens-at
least" on being corrected and informed
that they were not greens, but French
beans, "at least they're green, which the
green's never are. Now, then, give me
some strawberry jam Who ever heard
of a Scotch meal without strawberry
jam ?" Opposite were a spruce little
couple-she with polished hair braids
and best silk neckerchief and brooch
he in spotless black, like an undertaken
out of place, even the sparse hairs on
his head black and shiny and funereal.
They conversed much together amiably,
and he remarked that o'clock was quite
a heathenish hour to dine at /; o'clock
was late enough in all conscience. The
meal was very plentiful and very good,
and every one did justice to it except
myself, who, after the remark about the
salt, felt distinctly snubbed.
The next morning, after 1 descended
to breakfast, / again sat next the same
family, but this time it was next the
lady. 1 attempted, in the intervals of
scones and buttered toast and newly
gathered honey, quite delicious to an
English gourmet, to hazard a slight re-
mark. The lady tossed her head, and
said, "Indeed p / felt further efforts
were hopeless and there was my friend
of last night at the head of the table,
not even daring to throw me glance of
approval l drew myself up and looked
haughtily, as I can do when like. But
the mother could smile well enough
when she chose, as she proved presently
when her good-looking daughter asked
for lam. | wondered what would have
been the result had / asked for jam. To
my surprise, later III the day, when l
had finished my tramp among the hills
with Brusher-the views were lovely,
but Brusher's petticoats got wet, and
she did not care for the walk-the same
elderly lady came up to me at the sta
ton, where was sitting partly on a coop
of chickens, partly on my own portman-
teau, very damp and sticky with ladies
and said in an unctious voice, 81 think
you said you were going to Inverness,
would you mind taking charge of my
daughter ?" [ felt fattered, pleased,
fabbergasted, all in one moment. What
had happened -? Had the husband
apologized or the wife forgiven? Or
did she think, after all, little widow at
a td6e dhote was entitled to some indul-
gence, or perhaps she imagined was
duchess in disguise? never knew. But
the girl was very nice, and 1 took care
of her as far as Inverness, much to
Brusher's disgust.