Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-03-30

make any difference; it didn't say what
TO do in such n case.
She read the book through slowly, a
chapter day. and she had just gotten
to the chapter on parties and balls when
they were invited to reception at the
Neasmith's.
The Neasmiths had lately returned
from abroad. and Mrs. Blossom said she
supposed everything would be done up
IN European style. but she didn mean
to appear green there, if she new her
self. She caught hold of Mr.. Blossom.
as he rang the Neasmith's door bell on
that eventful night. and told him not to
notice any one. till he 90, his things off;
and on the way up stairs he snubbed the
minister and his brothers wife. When
they were going down stairs she CON-
manded him TO assume an air of formal
pleasure, and he obeyed by putting on a
stiflish grin.
Mrs. Blossom remembered TO have
read in the etiquette book that after
noon that AT the most formal re-
ceptions, after addressing the host and
hostess. pass at once to the refreshment
room" And she said. twas Il mercy
il said that, fer she never would have
thought of it in the world So. after
shaking hands formally with Mr.. and
Mrs. Neasmith. she walked with fixed
determination toward the refreshment
room.
II say, Sue" whispered Mr.. Bios
som. lets wait till we see someone else
going.'
But Mrs. Blossom said: The book
says go Immediately and I'm going to
do it,
The door in the dining room was
closed, but Mrs. Blossom, with hand
Derved with the consciousness of right,
turned the knob and walked boldly in.
She took her stand at small table. near
the center of the room, and told Mr..
Blossom: by no means to sit down,
but partake of refreshments standing"
Mr.. Blossom said in an anxious tone:
"Sue, there amt another person in
this ROOM And sure enough. they
were the sole occupants. Even Mrs.
Blossoms faith wayered for moment,
but q bright idea suggested itself.
- Why, of course, they've all got |
through. We came last" and she slipped
her coffee, with vain attempt ut
festive air.
~ say. Sue, this is social" observed |
MIR Blossom, facetiously. 1--WE might !
as well be lunchingit in our own dining
room at home, except that they beat US
on variety"
But his wife helped herself to some
more chicken salad, and said that was
he way they always did at receptions;
she hoped he didn't think he was at
dinner party.
Somebody opened the door from the
parlor. 1t was Mr.. Mccormick Why.
hello. Blossom" he said. taking it out
Ill alone? You'd better wait for the
-est of u.s."
Mr.. Blossom grew red in the face. but
Mrs. Blossom poised her coffee-cup
gracefully in her hand. and said, sweet
y: ''Oh. no. thank you. Are you and
Mrs. Mccormick quite well?"
MIR. Mccormick said: Yes, very
yell." and shut the door with a grin.
e Sue" again interpOsed Mr.. Bios
om," there's some mistake about this"
But Mrs. Blossom said the McCormicks
lever had any society standing. and she
guessed she knew the points OF etiquette
IS well as they did.
After that Mr.. Ayers opened the door,
tared and smiled. Then young lady
nd gentleman peeped in and giggled.
Then Mrs. Conkey glanced in; and so
hey kept it up until Mr.. Blossom said
ed swear to it that every person in
hose parlors had peeped through that
oor at them and gone away grinning.
They finished their ice-cream rather ,
astily and returned to the parlor. The
ostess begged them not to hasten away. ,
Stay until after refreshments, any ;