West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-03-16

kerchlef completed her toilette. ma
her. -'''' y III VI
Nan had a wreath of artificial
flowers, pair of old pink slippers,
ayellow scarf, a green muslin * irt
and fan made of feathers from a
buster; also, as a last touch of cle-
gance, a smelling-bottle witout anv
smell in it.
81 am the daughter, so l RIG IN a
great deal, and | must sing and
dance, and talk more than YOU do.
The mothers only get the tea and
be proper, you know"
A sudden very loud knock caused
Miss Smith to fly into a chair. and
fan herself violently, while her
mamma sat bolt upright on the
sofa, and tried to look quite calm
and proper" Little Bess, who was
on a visit, acted the part of maid,
and opened the door, saying with a
smile, "Wart in gemplemun, its all
weady,"
In honor of the occasion, the
boys wore high paper collars, tall
black hats, and gloves of every col
or and material, for they were an af-
ter thought, and not a boy among
them had a perfect pair.
Good day, num-" said Demi, in
deep voice, which was so hard to
keep up that his remarks had to be
extremely brief.
Every one shook hands and then
sat down, looking SO funny, yet 50
sober, that the gentlemen forgot
their manners, and rolled in their
chairs with laughter.
"Oh, don'tp' cried Mrs. Smith,
much distressed.
"You can't ever come again if you
act sc" added Miss Smith, rapping
Mr. Bangs with her bottle because
he laughed loudest.
81 can't help it, you look so like
fury" gasped Mr.. Bangs, with most
ulCUuItCOuS CdlluOT.
$50 do you, but l shouldn't be so
rude asto say so. He shan't come
to the dinner-ball, shall ne, Daisy ?"
cried Nan, Indignantly.
81 think we had better dance
now. Did you bring your fiddle,
sir?" asked Mrs Smith, trying to
preserve her polite composure.
at is outside the door," and Nat
went to get it.
'Better have tea FIRST" proposed
the unabashed Tommy, winking
openly at Demi to remind him that
the sooner the refreshments were
secured the sooner they could es-
cape.
"No, we never have supper first !;
and if you don't dance well you
won't get any supper at all, not one
bit, SIR" said Mrs. Smith, so sternly
that her wild guests saw she was
not to be trified with, and grew
Overwhelmingly civil all at once.
~ will take Mr.. Bangs and teach
him the polka, for he does not know
it fit to be seen," added the hostess,
with reproachful look that sober
ed Tommy at once.
Nat struck up, and the ball open
ed with two couples, and went
conscientiously through a some
what varied dance. The ladies did
well, because they liked it, but the
gentlemen exerted themselves from
more selfish motives, for each felt
that he must earn his supper, and
labored manfully toward that end.
When every one was out of breath
they were allowed to rest; and, in
deed, poor Mrs. Smith needed
it, for the long dress had tripped
her up many times. The little
maid passed round molasses and
water in such small cups that one
guest actually emptied nine. | re-
frain from mentioning his name,
because this mild beverage affected
him SO much that he put cup and
all into his mouth at the ninth
round, and choked himself publicly.
"You must ask Nan to play and
sing now" said Daisy to her broth
er, who sat looking very much like
an owl, as he gravely regarded the
festive scene between his high col
lars