The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-05-13
my Wife's New Friend.

MY Wife's New Friend.
Mrs. Jones has quite habit of cult
waiting sudden friendships, which have
every appearance of blooming eternally.
but which soon wiiher in the worlds
cold blasts. I used to think this charac-
teristic was confined to school g1rls, who
swear immortal fidelity in letters crossed
and recrossed, but forget each other as
soon as they have caught lover.
Ny wife's last acquisition in the way
of bosom friend is Mrs. Mortimer
Mowbray, with whom she became ac-
quainted last summer, while we were
boarding out of town.
Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray had her car
riage with her, and created quite SEN
sation; in fact, every lady in the house
was eager to become her confidante; but
the amiable department of Mrs. Jones,
combined, doubt not, with her intel.
lectual accomplishments, rendered her
the favorite; and she it was who daily
occupied the spare seat in the coach and
had the honor of advising Mrs. Now
bray in those thousand grave perplex-
tiles under which women suffer.
We returned to the city after the
Mowbrays, but my wife, although
usually very firm on questions of eti-
quette, waived her privileges on this oc-
casion, and made the first call. She was
graciously received, and came home in
high spirits.
All that evening she could do nothing
but talk of Mrs. Mortimer Mowbray
sSuch an elegant establishment" she
said. "A footman with manners like a
prince, waited at the door. The draw
ing room was the perfection of luxury
and taste. Mrs. Mowbray had ON such
q sweet cap, and altogether looked SO
ladylike. Her manners were, indeed
most aristocratic, just what one would
suppose those of countess to be-"
In few days Mrs. Mowbray returned
my wife's call, coming in shining new
carriage, and with new span of horses.
Her equipage created quite sensation
in our street.
Mrs. Jones soon after this began to act
sign, which, not being quite matured,
she deemed it wise to be silent respect
ing. At last, however, the mighty secret
was gently broached.
ST was thinking, JONES'" she said one
sleep on my pillow, "that we ought to
give q party. Not a regular ball indeed,
but q select entertainment, where few
congenial minds may be brought to-
gether. should like so to introduce
my dear Mrs. Mowbray to some of the
choicest of our set.
Now detest parties, small or large,
but as the delicacy of my wife's nerves
does not allow Of her being thwarted,
made no objection to the proposal, though
sighed to myself.
''Of course, my dear" I said, ssyou
know best"
ssWe1l ask about thirty" continued
my wife, warming with the subject.
'"rhere's Mrs. Wharton, and Mrs. Hor-
ace Shinn, and Mrs. Price, and the three
Misses Trelawneys," and thus the dear
creature ran on until she had mentioned
about forty names, and ! saw that her
"select party of congenial souls" was
going to be after all crowded ront.
''You have forgotten the two Misses
Howell" I said at last when my wife
stopped for breath.
The two Misses Howell were amiable,
intelligent and pretty girls, in whom I
took particular interest because their
father had once been an extensive ship
ping merchant, but having been reduced
the sisters were compelled to earn live
hhood by standing in a store. They had
numerous rich relations on whom they
might have billeted themselves, but, with
spirit of proper independence, they
preferred to work for their maintenance,
instead of eating the bread of charity.
/ had nourished romantic idea of see-
ing them married well, and consequent.
~ made it point always to invite them
to our parties; to praise them highly to
the young gentlemen there, and in every
other indirect way to assist in realizing
my pet scheme.
My wife, heretofore, had seconded me
in my benevolent plan; but on the pres
ent occasion she hesitated to reply and
knew at once that there was something
She matter.
'sAheml'' she said at last, clearing her
throl1e s'Ahem! The Misses Howell
are very nice girls to be sure-that is in
their place -but as it Is to be select
party, and as I have already mentioned
rather too many, and as Mrs. Mowbray
may not want to meet all sorts OF people,
and AS
Stop my dear; said with sigh,
for I saw that my fayorites we're not to-
be invited, you have given reasons
enough. It is = great pity though"
And I sighed again--a sigh of passive
resignation.
der heart was touched. She paused a
moment in embarrassment. and perhaps
even revo1ved the idea Of yielding to my
wishes, but, in tho end, she raised her
seIf On her elbow and Gaid: