Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-06-09
INVITED TO BREAKFAST.

| was bound for. This small commun-
lty dispensued 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
of country residences They all called
their several houses the common name
of Abbey Grove; and the stranger had
to take his chance of having to 60 TO
each of them In turn before he found
the particular one he saugEt. Fortune
favored me, however, by sending across
my path travelling directory in the
shape Of mIlkman, and IN responce
to my inquiry as to which house was
Mr.. RObertson's, | received the strait
forward reply: This ere one as I've just
come from, SIR" Walking up 8 path, l
found the door inyitingly 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, winch, considering the
time of day, really appeared an absurd
question to ask the girl; but We get
accustomed TO use of stereotyped
phrases under some circumstances.
tOh, then, | will come in and wait,
l replied.
What name shall 1 say, sir?' asked
the girl.
''Just tell him Mr.. Brooks has called,
and he will understand"
So saving the girl showed me into a
sung little breakfast room, where the
sunbeams and the fresh morning air
seemed to be vyeing with each other
as to which should hold possession of
the room; with such friendly rivalry
we're they streaming through two open
French windows, which opened upon
tastefully arranged lawn and flower
beds outside. While noticing these
things, the housemaid hak gone up
stairs TO announce me; when some
thing like the following dialogue en-
sued:
please ma am, Mr. Brooks is down
stairs"
"Mr. Brooks! Who is he?" was the
response, in mutiied voice.
Il don't know, ma am, the maid re-
piled. II never seen him hear before
But he's young gentleman, and says
he'll wait till master comes down"
Whoever can he be, and what can
he want bothering at this time of day.
continued the mutfied voice; and there
upon the door was shut
Now, this was not exactly pleasant
to me; but when | reflected that most
probably Mrs Robertson would be I'M
acquainted with her husbands invita-
ton to me, | thought it best not to be
offended, so | commenced examining
the pictures on the walls. | had not
been sitting thus above minute or
two when | heard slight rustling, as
of lady's dress; simultaneously came
three or four light footsteps through
the window into the room, and before
| could rise from my seat musical
voice accosted me with: Good morn
ing, uncle; here is your button-hole. )"
started up III no little surprise at
this greeting, which was evidently not
intended for me; and there stood be
fore me a fairy-like maiden Of some Is
summers, her brown hair falling loose
" from a daintily shaped head her
cheeks aglow with the healthy morning
air sac had been enjoying, and deep
ened, too, by rosy blnsh when she
discovered her greeting had been I'M
Willingly addressed to stranger she
Mas standing before me holding the
knot of flowers destined for her unclc's
button-hole-how | envied her uncle
very picture of health, and life, and
happiness, and beauty. An instantan-
eous mutual agreement seemed to flash
between us. We both broke into a
merry little laugh; and | have often
wondered what would have happened
if we had not adopted this course-if,
for instance, the young lady had passed
on with dignifed GOODNESS, and sim
pie apologies and bows had passed be-
tween us! Our sudden introduction
was, however, not destined to have this
studded ending In a few moments we
were chatting away Ike old friends. I
fancied my fairy seemed to be actually
pleased when l announced that | was
going to stay for breakfast and | had
almost summoned up my courage to
ask her to present me in reality with
the flowers she had undesignedly offer
ed to me, when the entrance of the
servant with the completing dishes for
the break fast table served as an excuse
for her to leave the room.
She had scarcely gone through the
door when | heard again the greeting,
Good morning, uncle" followed by an
sound, which made me
long more than ever to be that girls
uncle. The door opened once more.
/ stepped forward to meet my employ
er, but suddenly paused, SIS tall gen
tleman entered the room whom | had
never before seen in my life.
He stood looking inqulringly at me,
after a sharp good morning" | was
too embarrassed to make any response.
Ny first thought was, He is some Wis
ito" but in a few moments the awful
truth dawned across my mind, that
this was in reality the owner of the
house | was in. and by some means or
other | had got into the wrong one
The situation was tremendous. | am
naturally cool character; but | was
SO taken by surprise and chagrin that
| coul1 only mutter some confused
apology about having been invited to
breakfast by Mr. Robertson; that [ had
been directed To this house by some
understanding; that | hum
bly, apol, gized for my intrusion, and |
hoped he would pardon it. So speak
ing | made frantic rush at my hat,
at my stupidity, at the loss
of my breakfast and still more at the
thought of never seeing or speaking
again to that charming little lady, who,
in less than five minAes found 1 was
absurdly in love with
l said hurried good morning" and
was trying to make CHASTITY attempt
to smile as | left the room-when,
would you believe it? that tall. dark
man burst out into loud laugh. | felt
ready to knock him down. l knew
how my stupidity would be gaily dis
cussed at the breakfast table, before
her, and felt my discontinue snd hui
initiation deeply, bur this open merri-
ment at my expense maddened me.
A strange calm succeeded this storm.
1t was caused by some wor!s uttered
by my tormentor.
"You really must forgive me;
could not refrain from laughing. Ny
name is Robinson. Your friend Mr.
Robertson lives liz one of the other
houses. We frequently get parcels and
letters, and even callers come to the
wrong house; but in all our experience
we have never had so amusing a mis-
take so early in the day as this one"