Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-05-13

good-by; ''you'd better have stuck to
the farm. You remember the old say
ing about rolling stones"
4 don't believe in old sayings, sir"
answered, loftily, "and think l can
appreciate my husbands abilities better
than any one else can"
"All right; / hope you won't find
yourself mistaken, my dear. Good-by
tC both of you. Whatever you do, care
well for the little one. I'm afraid she
won't like the change. II you happen
to tire of town and fashion, don't forget
that a welcome always awaits you at
home"
Jacks heart was too full for utter
ance.
"Thank you, sir" 1 said, "but we
shall not get tired"
Our new home in town was stylish
residence in fashionable street. We
| established ourselves in the principal
hotel. and then set about the task of
furnishing the house.
"My dear child" said Mrs. Van
borough, the bankers wife, dropping in
for an early call, "don't dream OF such
thing as ingram carpet. Get Brussels.
/
You'll find it much cheaper in the end.
and besides it is so much more stylish. !"
We hardened to our friends advice,
and laid our rooms with Brussels, and
the cost ran up into hundreds.
Then furniture was got to match,
Mrs. Marlborough and several other
friends aiding us in our selection, and
all sorts of pretty costly bric-a- brac,
and real lace curtains. and new piano.
My old instrument was too plain and
clumsy for the new establishment.
There is a curious sort of excitement
in spending money, which seems to
drive the most sober and economizing
people desperate when they once get at
it. Jack had always been tine most care
full of men, counting the cost of every
thing as he went and saving every stray
penny.
Once IN the vortex of town life, his
prudence was speedily changed into a
sort of recklessness. After the first few
days, and by the time our new home was
ready to receive us, he actually seemed
to take delight in seeing his money go.
"We've got snug quarters here, Nell,
10y Georgel" he said, looking
through the extravagantly furnished
rooms with admiring pride. mo one
in the town can outshine us, not even
Marlborough himself. 1t has lightened
our purse a good deal, III admit, but
what does that signify? What good
comes of having money unless one en-
joys it %
eve must try and save up little
| now, Jack, since we are fixed so nicely"
| said, feeling somewhat terrified at his
growing recklessness.
"Pshaw, child Whoever heard of
bankers clerk saving anything? If we
make both ends meet IT will be more
than l look for. y
MY DEAR" said Mrs. Vanboro ugh,
when we were pleasantly settled in our
handsome house and had hired couple
of servants, 81 suppose You will want to
give some sort OF party now? tits
customary, You know. Suppose you
let it be an informal reception, with
cards and coffee for the old people, and
ices and fruits and dancing for the young
ones? That would do nicely. You can
throw your parlors into one and the
new carpets will not get much injured.
! I'll help You to order your refreshments,
and Cecilia will write ont your invita-
lions for you. She's an excellent Judge
as TO whom it is expedient TO invite"
I mentioned the matter tv Jack when
he came home, and he entered into the
spirit of the affair with great excitement.
"To be sure little wife have party
by all means. When ones in Rome one
must do as Romans do, you know. Don't
spare expense either, my dear we must
make as good q show as other people,
And shall take it upon myself to order
/ your costume. | want You to look as
grand as little empress"
"But, Jack" L suggested, timidly,
'we are spending great deal Of money"
"Oh well, never mind. 1t will all go
| somehow. one way or the other, and we
might as well enjoy it. You've always
wanted to get into good society, Nell
and you're fairly III now, and it won't
do to let the people see that you are
cramped for money. Lets make the
most of it while we've got it,
My heart ached little; and in the
midst of all the flare and futter of prep
aration, l was conscious of a vague
| feeling of regret whenever [ recalled the
quiet months of my early wifehood,
! spent at Cherry Hill. Jack had seemed
such different person in those days
SO strong and steady and self-reliant;
/ and now he seemed to take as much
pleasure in lIfe's fr.volities as [ did.
With the foolish inconsistency of my
| sex, | sat down and cried over the con-
summation of the very hopes which l
had cherished so long.
But, despite my tears, our reception
went on, and it turned out to be great
success. The best people in town hon
ored us with their presence, and every
thing, thanks to Mrs. Vanborough's
foresight, was carried out in the most
lavish and elegant manner.
by George" said Jack, "this sort of
thing is jollier than the old farm. see
now, little wife, that you were right,
always right"
/ would ten times rather he should
have upbraided and blamed Inc for what
| had done.
The winter that followed was exceed
ingly gay. We were invited everywhere,
and our house was constantly filled with
4 guests. Balls, soirees, kettiedrums, and
the opera seemed to engross every hour.
Jack and L seldom had quiet moment
| together, yet he seemed to enjoy it all
with his whole heart.
When spring came our last surplus