The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-11-10
SELECT STORY.
INVITATION TO BREAKFAST.

"Walk out to my house and have
breakfas with me some morning"
Such was the invitation given to me
one day by Mr.. Robertson, genial,
middle aged solicitor to whom | was
articled, in the thriving town of Alb,
beyton.
Now, had only been articled for a
few weeks and what | had seen of
Mr.. Robertson in business made me
wish to know him and his in their
private life; hence l was much de-
lighted to have this opportunity of
gratifying my wish. A few days
afterward, waking up and finding a
glorious summer sun streaming into
my room, speedily decided that this
was Just the kind of morning on which
/ should accept the invitation to break
fast at Abbey Grove, and in few
minutes was on my way thither.
Abbey Grove was situated about
two miles from the town, and consisted
of small cluster of villas, built in
prettily situated spot, which, genera
tions ago. had formed part of the
grounds of an old abbey. The only
remains of this ancient abbey, however,
were few yards of crumbling wall,
with here and there vestiges of what
at one time had been traceried win
dows; these, with numerous mounds
of stones and masonry, were all that
was now left to tell of what had been
there centuries ago. Most of these
mounds were now covered with grass
and shrubs and trees, and thus formed
o delightfully."- secluded retreat, which
the inhabitants of Abbey Grove villas
enjoyed in common.
The invigorating charms of an early
walk on a summers morning need no
description, The pure air, the genial
sun, the sparkling dew, and soft low
breeze, all tend to eXhilarate ones
spirits and to make the day pleasanter
and happier throughout. All these ex-
periences 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 a resi-
dence would be occupied by Mr.. Rob,
ertson, how it would be furnished,
what kind of people his wife and fam
lily 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 continued, i wondered what
kind of breakfast there would be to
appease the appetite stimulated by the
breeze
l walked down the short avenue
leading to the houses and then began
to wonder which of the half dozen
villas | was bound for. This small
community dispensed with numbers to
their houses, nor did they even distin-
guish themselves by the ambitious and
ridiculous names which you see stuck
up on most suburban reaidences, No
nothing savoring so of the town, fol
this group of country residences; they
all called their several houses by the
common name of Abbey Grove, and
the stranger had to take his chance OF
going to each of the houses in turr
before he found the particular one
sought.
Fortune favored me, however, 10y
sending across my path travelling
directory in the shape of the loca
milkman; and in response to my in
quiry as to which house was Mr.. Rob
ertson's, | received the straightforward
reply: ''rhis ere one as I've jst com,
from, sir" Walking up the path
found the door invitingly open, an,
the housemaid putting the finishing
touches on the bell handle.
"Master is not down yet, SIR" sh
replied to my inquiry as to whether h
was at home, which,. considering tn
time of day, really appeared an absur,
! question to ask the glrl but we ge
, accustomed to use stereotyped phrase
/ under such circumstances.
"Oh, then, | will come in and wait,
| replied,
"What name shall ! say, sir?" sal
the girl.
i "Just tell him Mr. Brooks has called
and he will understand"
SO saying the girl showed me into
snug little breakfast room, where tn
sunbeams and the fresh morning a
seemed to be vieing with each other /
to which should have possession of til
room, with such friendly rivalry wen
they streaming through two wild
French windows, which opened upo
a tastefully arranged lawn and flow,
beds outside While noticing the,
things the housemaid had gone U
stairs to announce me, when somethir
like the following dialogue ensued: