The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-21
An Invitation to Breakfast.

All llVllallOl 10 Breakfast.
"Walk out to my house, and have break
fnst with me some morning" Such was
the invitation given to mo one day by Mr..
Robertson a genial, middle aged solicitor to
whom was articled, in the thriving town
Of Abbeyton.
Now, l had only been articled for few
weeks, and what had seen of Mr.. Robert.
son in business, made we wish to know him
and his in their private life; hence l was
much delighted TO have this opportunity ol
gratifying my wish. A lew days alter
ward, waking up and finding a glorious
summer sunshine streaming into my room
| speedily decided that this was just the
kind of morning on which should accept
the invitation to brea kfast at Abbey Grove;
and in few minutes was on my way
thither.
Abbey Grove was situated about two
miles from the town, and consisted of a
small cluster of villas, built in a prettily
situated spot, which, generations ago, had
formed part Of the grounds of an old abbey.
The only remains of this ancient building,
however, were a few yards of crumbling
wall, with here and there vestiges of what
at one time had been traceried windows;
these, with numerous mounds of stones and
masonry, were all that was now left to tell
Of what had been there centuries ego. Most
of these mounds were now covered with
grass and shrubs and trees, and thus FORM
ed a delightfully."- secluded retreat, which
the inhabitants of Abbey Grove villas en-
joyed in common.
The invigorating charms of an early walk
on summers morning need no descrip-
ton. The pure air, the genial sun, the
twiitering birds, the sparkling dew, and
soft, low breeze, all tend to exhilarate ones
spirits and to make the day pleasanter and
happier throughout. All these experiences
were mine on the day write of AS ap-
preached Abbey Grove and saw the houses
peeping from out the surrounding trees,
commenced wondering as to what kind of a
residence would be occupied by Mr.. Robert
son, how it would be furnished, what kind
of people his wife and family would be
like, aud the kindred things that you spec
ulate upon when going to visit house for
the first time. Last, but by no means least,
as my walk continued, l wondered what
kind of a breakfast there would be to APP
pease the appetite stimulated by the breeze.
walked down the short avenue leading
to the houses, and then began to wonder
which of the halfdozen villas was bound
for. This small community dispensed with
numbers TO their houses, nor did they even
distinguish them by the ambitious and ri
diculous names which you see stuck up on
most suburban residences. No; nothing
savoring so of the town for this group of
country residents; they all called their sew
eral houses by the common name of Abbey
Grove; and the stranger had to take his
chance Of having to 60 toeach OF the houses in
turn before he found the particular one he
sought Fortune favored me. however, by
sending across my path a travelling directo-
ry in the shape Of the local milkman; and
in response to my inquiry as to which
house was Mr.. Robertson's received the
straightforward reply; "This ere one as
I've jist come from, SIR" Walking up the
path found the door invitingly open, and
the housemaid putting the finishing touches
on the bell handle.
"Master is not down yet, cir" 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 10 use ste
reotyped phrases under some circumstances.
"oh, then, will come in and wait" /
replied.
"what name shall say, sir p asked the
girl.
"Just tell him Mr.. Brooks has called, and
he will understand"
So saying thogirl showed me into a snug
little breakfast room, where the sunbeams
and the fresh morning air seemed to be w.
ing with each other as to which should have
possession of the room, with such friendly
rivalry were they streaming through two
wide French windows, which opened upon
tastefully arranged lawn and flower beds
outside. While noticing these things the
housemaid had gone up stairs to announes
me, when something like the following dia-
logue ensued;
"Please, na'Am, Mr.. Brooks lie down
stairs"
"Mr Brooks? Who is hel" was the re-
! sponse in a muffied female voice.
81 don't known, ma'am," the maid re-
piled. "Ive meyer seen him here before
But he's young gentleman, and says he'll
wait till master comes down"
whoever can he be, and what can be
want, bothsring here, at this time Of day 2"
continued the mufiled voice, and thereupon
the door was shut.
Now, this was not exactly pleasant to
mei but when / reflected that most proba-
bly, Mrs. Robertson would be unacquainted
with her husbands invitation TO me, !
thought il best lot 10 be offended; 50 CON-
meneed examining the pictures on the
walls. They we're not very interesting,