The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1882-03-24

Mamma, these new boots hurt mt
awfully, groaned little May, an uncOm
Portable child, who had not yet Learned
tb" ways of the world. Il would rath
or wear my old ones
No, no, never mind If they do hurt
little, they are lovely, SO slim ant
and high, and such perfect match fol
your DRESS And so the poor chile
stood in simple misery all the evening
taking her first lesson in the ways OF
the world
AT THE PARTY.
Good evening, my dear Mrs. Rollins
how kind of you to come early; we
shall have time for real little visit be-
fore there are other arrivals
Mrs. Barnes had headache; per-
haps she had forgotten what she said
upstairs. But why describe the usual
routine of hollow compliment, of pretty
nOthings, of hattest platitudes which
make up the conversation of such a
gathering. OF course the guests dis
cussed the flowers, the few pictures
the music, the supper, each others
dresses and the minister. o, much en-
during clergy, what would society do
without you. and the weather. The
supper was really good, and that con-
stituted the entertainment mostly.
There was some sOulless music, for
Miss Alice played the piano little-Of
course, ALLY Noung ladies must, whether
they have any music in their souls OF
not.
The gentlemen smoked after supper,
but that was done one side somewhere,
as questionable things usually are.
About midnight the last guest had
vanished into the darkness, each one
saying in due form with his good night:
A delightful evening, Mrs. Barnes,
your companies are always so charm
ingp
AFTER THE PARTY.
Remarks like these in the going-hOme
carriages Such a stupid affair /! Why
will people like the Barneses try to ape
gentility, and give fashionable parties
when they don't know hOw?'
why, indeed Everything was stiff
rs poker, and what supper Such
vulgar profusion in everything, and so
little silver or table ornaments
Did you notice the spoons were plat
ed, and half of them borrowed, do
believe. AS for me, wouldn't have a
party if L couldn't have the largest
sized napkins"
well, we must at least give Mrs.
Barnes the credit of being most
charming hostess. l think she thor
Oughly enjoyed seeing her friends +; but
her husband must be a great trial to
her, he is so distant and ungracious.'
Meanwhile, in the confusion of the
vacant rooms, the genial hostess had
thrown herself wearily into chair, ex-
claiming Il am almost dead. We'll,
there's one consolation, our guests all
seemed to enjoy it, if we did not. L
received a great many compliments for
the supper, and the entertainment gen.
orally and we shan't have to endure
this affiictiOn again for one while, 1
hope
'Why ever again, my dear?' urged
Mr.. Barnes, gently. why need we ac-
cept invitations we do not care to re-
turnp Why can we not hereafter invite
our friends, and people whom we wish
especially to make happy, in small
companies, which will not tire you to
death in preparation. l thoroughly
enjoy receiving our friends in our home,
but how can anybody enjoy such a
farce as this, with hollOwness on both
sides. Why, 1 felt guilty and mean all
the evening"
1T does seem as if that were the bet
ter way assented the wife absently,
thinking how she could get breakfast
out of that mass of confusion in the
kitchen but then, society, you know
= A few more days of hard work
brought back the usual order and quiet
of the family; it seemed like calm
following small earthquake. But the
bills began to come in. They looked
large, placed over against the small
family income. The father end mother
were talking them over one night after
the children were in bed. They must
be provided for by 'pinching' some.
where else, as Mrs. Barnes had said.
She was ready with her devices. we
all need new fannels this winter she
said :the old ones are very thin, but
they must be made to do with patching.
Then we must do without beefsteak and
oysters as often as usual these articles
are expensive, you know
1T might be considered doubtful
economy to dispense with warm cloth
ing and nourishing food said Mr..
Barnes with shake of the head.
Then there is the money you give
away to benevolent objects-one tenth,
you know resumed the lady doubtful
ly-'couldn't you take from that lit
tle?'
Not one cent from that. my dear.
The party was selfishness, not chari-
ty.'
So the matter was compromised on
fannels and beefsteak, and in another
way which l am afraid they would not
like me to mention. Not that they ex-
actly planned it so, but the next sum-
mer it came about in this wise Mr..
Barnes took no vacation, but stayed in
the city and worked hard all the hot,
long season. Fred was luckily invited
to the home of college friend. Mrs,
Barnes remembered q cousin of hers,
who lived comfortably in country
home, not expensively far from the
city, whom she had not seen in twenty
years, and whom she really o,Ight tc
uisit. So with Alice and the two little
ones she gave to this dear friend the
weeks usually spent in boarding at the
.v.o,ota;no or aaaaida Cotrain Clariaap