Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-27
miscellaneous.
MRS. TON sAwYER's PARyT.
EY KATHERINE KNIGHT.

Mrs. Tom Sawycr's cherry little face
was Enthusiastically clouded, as she went
about her work, one bright morning.
In order to explain to you the cause OF
this unusual occurrence. ] shall have to
say, first of all. that there never was a
more thoroughly aristocratic little town
than that of Ashton was, and is now, for
aught know to the contrary. They were
aristocratic people the Ashtonites. had ar
istocratic homes, attended aristocratic
churches, and last, but not least in poor
little Mrs. Toms eyes this self-same morn
ing. they had very aristocratic tea parties
What had that to do with her ~ you
ask.
Well, somehow, partly in virtue OF her
GOOD family, but mostly, I must confess,
on account of her sweet. cherry sunshiny
ways. and good true sense. Mrs. Tom,
though her husband was mechanic. was
admitted even into the charmed circle OF
aristocratic Ashton. llrs. Tom herself
wondered how she came there. rs did
everybody else. but there she was. and no
one. not even the most fastidious, had any
desire to put her out
But it proved something of a trial to her
after all, and this morning the thorns were
very sharp. You must know she found
herself, rs the expression is, indebted to
nearly every one of her friends. not finan-
cially, but socially.
Nothing very terrible about that you
say, but that is because you know nothing
about Ashton tea parties.
No one was invited until Just tea time.
when all were expected to appear ROBBED
IN their very best. The table was loaded
with dainties of all sorts and descriptions.
After an evening Of high bred small-talk
and gossip, il ever such be high-bred, the
company adjourned, each lady present,
vowing to surpass the hostess on some
future occasions.
Such were Ashton tea parties. DO you
wonder that Mrs. Tom sighed?
She went, broom in hand, and opened
the parlor door. 1t is cosy, CHEEKY room
looked Just like herself. her husband said.
But the carpet was only an ingram, and
the furniture very plain. She shut the
door and went on to the dining room.
That carpet was very much worn, and
thin in spots.
But / enjoy eating in it enough sight
better than in Mrs. George Parker's ele
giant one, for hers fairly chills me, and
this warns me up, it looks so homely."
said the incorrigible Tom, who preferred
his own cosy home to any ones splcndor.
Mrs. Tom went back to her sweeping,
with look of indecision on her face,
and it rested there all the time she was
dusting and putting to rights.
..I'll do it." she exclaimed all at once.
rs she put the last book back, and pushed
Toms chair into its corner.
In do it. I've accepted their hospital
ity. and I'll offer them mine. They know
n Al. Il. Al. q
pect it, and won't spoil it all by trying
Ia do something can't. I'll make As nice
q tea party rs | know how in my way,
but I'll keep ii my way"
So it came to pass that afternoon Mrs.
Tom went around amongst her frit nds. in
viting them to take tea with her the next
day And I would like to have you come
early and spend the afternoon. she said
10 every one.
Then she went home and commenced
preparations. The house was put in ap-
Pile pie order. For tea. she would have
biscuits and butter, and Mrs. Tom could
make biscuits worth eating. cold meat.
preserves and two kinds of cake. She
hesitated over the cake little. She did
hate TO seem poor or stingv. but she kept
firm.
81 cant afford any more. and don't
believe in thinking Your company comes
for the cake
There was no little wOnderment and
surprise over Mrs. Toms invitations,
some even felt q little sorry for her lest
she had not fully realized what she was
undertaking. But one and all made up
their minds 10 20. and help along il need
be.
Mrs. Tom met them at the door with a
bright smile OF welcome. took them up
into Ter own room tn lay aside their things,
then down into the CHEEKY little parlorei
which never looked cheerier and prcttier
than to-day II was not grand or impress
sive. but YOU felt its bright CHEEKY home
liness the minute You entered.
Such an afternoon. Not one of them
could remember one like il. Mrs. Tom
was everywhere. sometimes with merry
Jest. sometimes kindly inquiry. now
with an interesting curiosity and its story,
another time with some question that led
TO an interesting discussion. They forgot
to gossip or criticsc, they had no time Ia.
il was crowded ont with better things.
Somehow kindly feeling crept over
them, and they showed the best OF them
selves far more in this coy little home,
than in their accustomed splendor.
When Mrs. Tom excused herself. rs the
clock struck six, 10 look after supper, they
looked from one to another in astonish-
ment Where had the afternoon gone to.
IL don't know what you've done said
Mrs Parker. rs she bad her hostess good
hight. 'but feel. rs | used to say when a
child. 'gooder' than did when | came"
I'VE shall all he glad TO come again, "
said Mrs. Weston. the lady of Ashton.
whose husband was worth over million.
...And all did, Tom. was just TO try and
get the best of everybody"
"Ifevery one would do that. the millenni-
INN would come in less than no time. little
woman, responded Tom with fond smile.
most Of us usually do our best TO keep
the worst in sight"
''Oh dear. and we might help each 9TH
er 81 much sighed Mrs. Tom.
What did she do. any way?' asked one
rs they discussed the strange party.
''She didn't do any thing answered
Mrs. Parker. promptly.
..Shc was Just real and true. | never
felt 81 ashamed in my life rs when |
thought OF all the parties had given, and
every one OF them spreads. But I've