The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-06-30
AsMrFATIosTv BREAKFAST 81


NNEIFATIONTO BREAKFAST. !
"Walk out to my house and have
breakfast with me some morning"
Such was the invitation given me one
day BY Mr.. Robertson, "a genial, middle
aged solicitor to whom l was articled,
Ia the thriving town of Abbeyton.
Now, had only been articled for a
few weeks, and what Ishad seen of MIR.
Robertson in business made me wish, to
know him and his in their private life;
hence was much delighted to have
this opportunity of gratifying my wish.
few days afterward, waking up and
finding glorious summer sun stream
ing into my room, I speedily decided
that this was justthe kind Of morning
on which should accept the invitation
to breakfast at Abbey Grove; and in a
few minutes | was 'on my way thither.
Abbey Grove was situated about two
milesfrom the town, and consisted of a
small cluster of villas. built in prettily
situated spot, which, generations ago,
had formed part of the grounds of an
old abbey 4 i s#k>Ess1 90
As | approached Abbey Grove and
saw the houses peeping from out the
surrounding trees, / commenced won
dering as to what kind of q residence
would be occupied by Mr.. Robertson;
how it would be finished, what kind of
people his wife and family would be
like, and the kindred things you specu-
late upon when going to visit house
ier the first time. Last, but by no
means least, as my walk continued,
wondered what kind of a breakfast
there would be to appease the appetite
simulated by the morning breeze. q
l walked down the short avenue
leading to the houses, sand then began
70 wonder which of the half dozen villas
lWas bound for. This small communi-
" dispensed with numbers to their
houses. nor did they even distinguish
them by the ambitious and ridiculous
names which you see stuck up on most
suburban residences. No; nothing
savoring SO of the town for this group
q country residents; they all called
their several houses by the common
name of Abby Grove; and the stranger
nag 70 take his chance of having to ga
70 each of the houses in turn, before he
iound the particular one he sought.
fortune favored me, however, by send
ing across my path travelling diction-
ary in the shape of the local milkman,
ana in responses to my inquirya as to
which house was Mr.. Robertson's, l re-
celved the straightforward reply: s.This
i, ere one I've just come from sir. "
waking up the path. found the door
lnvitlngly open and sthe house-maid
putting the finishing touches on the bell
Master is not down yet, SIR" she
replied to my inquiry as to whether
Mr. robertson was at home, which,
considering the time of day, really ap-
peared an absurd question to ask the
gifi; but we get accustomed to use ster-
eotyped phrases under some circum-
stances.
70, then will come in and wait," I
replied.
the girl.
Just tell him Mr.. Brookes has called,
and he will understand.
SO saying, the girl showed me into a
snug little breakfast room, where the
sunoeams and the fresh morning air
seemed TO be vieing with each other as
70 which should bold possession of the
Ioom, with such friendly rivalry were
,ney streaming through two open
french windows, which opened upon a
1astlly arranged lawn and flower beds
outslde. While noticing these things,
she nousemaid had gone up stairs to an
n.ounce me. when something like the
ioliowing dialogue ensued:
iease. am, Mr.. Brookes is down
MI. Brookes! Who is hep" was the
tesponse, in muff1ed female voice.
don't know, ma'am, = the maid re-
blied. II never seen him here before.
~. ne IS young gentleman, and says
NC VIII wait till master comes down."
Whoever can he be, and what can
se want, hethering here at this time OF
uay continued the muffied voice; and
saereupon the door was shut.
NoW this was not exactly pleasant to
Me out when l reflected that most
PROBABLY Mrs. Robertson would be un-
scqualnted with her husbands 5 invita-
s,un TO me, thought it best not to be
suelued; SO l commenced examining