Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-11-08
An Invitation to Breakfast.

ri An Invitation to Breakfast.
"Walk out to my house, and hav
breakfast with me some morning.
Such was the invitation given to m
one day by Mr.. Robertson, genial
middle aged solicitor to whom I wa
articled, in the thriving town of Abbey
ton.
Now, / had only been articled for
few weeks; and what had seen of MI
i Robertson in business, made me wisf
to know him and his in their private
life; hence I was much delighted t,
have this opportunity of gratifying my
wish. A few days afterward, waking
up and finding q glorious summer sur
streaming into my room. speedily de-
cided that this was just the kind O
morning on which 1 should accept the
Invitation to breakfast at Abbey Grove
ahd in q few minutes was on my way
thither.
Abbey Grove was situated about two
miles from the town, and consisted of q
small cluster of villas, in prettily sit.
uated spot, which, generations ago, had
formed part of the grounds of an old
abbey. The only remains of this an
cient 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 ma
sOnry, were all that was now left to tell
of what had been there centuries ago.
Most of these mounds were now COW
cred with grass and shrubs and trees,
and thus formed delightfully."- secluded
retreat, which the inhabitants of Abbey
Grove villas enjoyed in common.
The invig0rating charms of an early
walk on summers morning need no
description. The pure air, the genial
sun, the twittering birds, the sparkling
dew, and soft low breeze, all tend to ex
hilarate ones spirits and to make the day
pleasanter and happier throughout. All
these experiences were mine on the day
write of. AS / approached Abbey
Grove and saw the houses peeping from
out the surrounding trees. / commenced
wondering as to what kind of resi-
dence would be occupied by Mr.. Rob
ertson, how it would be furnished, what
kind of people his wife and family
| would be like, and the kindred things
that you speculate upon when going to
visit house for the first time. Last,
but by no means least, as my walk con-
tinued, L wondered what kind of break
fast there would be to appease the appe-
tite stimulated by the breeze.
l walked down the short avenue lead
ing to the houses, and then began to
wonder which of the half dozen villas
1 was bound for. This small commu-
nifty dispensed with numbers to their
houses, nor did they even distinguish
fthem by the ambitious and ridiculous
q IN hioh V,n co otuak N n irnnat
suburban residences. No; nothing sa
voring so of the town for this group of
country residents; they all called their
several houses by the common name of
Abbey Grove; and the stranger had to
take his chance of having to go to each
of the houses in turn, before he found
the particular one he sought. Fortune
favored me, however, by sending across
my path travelling directory in the
shape of the local milkman and In re-
sponse 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 SIR" she re-
piled 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 ac-
cnstomed to the stereotyped phrases un-
der some circumstances.
"Oh, then, will come in and wait, !"
1 replied.
"What name shall say, sir ?" asked
the girl.
"Just tell him Mr.. Brooks has called,
and he will understand
So saying the girl showed me into a
snug little breakfas room, where the
sun beams and the fresh morning air
seemed to be vieing with such friendly
rivalry as they were streaming through
two wide French windows, which open.
ed upon tastefully arranged lawn and
flower beds outside. While noticing
these things the housemaid had gone up
stairs to announce me, when something
like the following dialogue ensued:
please, ma'am, Mr.. Brooks is down
stairs"
"Mr. Brooks! Who is hep" was the
response, in muffied female voice.
Il don't know, ma'am." the maid re-
piled. "I've never seen him here be-
fore. But he's young gentleman, and
says, he'll wait till the master comes
down.
whoever can he be, and what can
he want, bothering here, at this time of
day ?" continued the muffied voice and
thereupOn the door was shut.
Now, this was not exactly pleasant to
me; but when reflected that most
probably Mrs Robertson would be un~
acquainted with her husbands invita-
ton to me, 1 thought it best not to be of
| Tended ; so commenced examining the
pictures on the walls. They were not
very interesting, and soon concluded
my Inspection, and looked round for
something else to occupy the moments,
which began to hang rather heavily.
The newspaper of the previous day was
upon the table by the window, SO took
that up, just to pass away the time, and
[ wac soon listlessly perusing the adj
vertisements had not been sitting
thus above minute or two, when ]
heard slight rustling, as of a lady's
dress; simultaneously came three ol
four light footsteps through the win.
dow into the room; and before I could
look up from my paper, or rise from my
seat, musical voice accosted me with
Good morning, uncle; here is your but
ton-hole boquet.n
I started up in no little surprise at this
greeting, which was evidently not in
tended for me and there stood before
me fairy-like maiden of some sixteen
summers, her brown hair falling loosely
from her dainty. shaped head; hel
cheeks aglow with the healthy morning
air she had been enjoying, and. .deepened
too, by rosy blush when she discov-
cred her greeting had been unwitting'y
addressed toa stranger. She was stand
ing before me, holding out the littl'
knot of flowers destined for her uncle'I
button-hole-how I envied her uncle
. very picture of health and life an(
happiness and beauty. Her expression
in moment to one of Embarrassment
and dismay, mingled with gleam o
amusement in her bright eyes as tn
humOr of the awkward situation w
were in broke upon her. An insanta
ne0us mutual agreement seemed to fasl