River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-06-15
INVITED TO BREAKFAST.

wonder which of the nalf-dozen villas
| was bound for. This small commun-
ity 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 go to
each of them in turn before he found
the particular one he saught. Fortune
favored me, however, by sending across
my path travelling directory in the
shape of a mllkman, 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 path, /
found the door invitingly 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, which, 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.
''Oh, then, will come in and wait,
/ replied.
What name shall l say, sir?" asked
the girl.
"Just tell him Mr.. Brooks has called,
and he will understand"
c.
sung little breakfast room, where the
sunbeams and the fresh morning air
seemed to be vyeing with each other
as to which should mold possession of
the room; with such friendly rivalry
were 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 muffi ed voice.
II 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 muffied voice; and there
upon the door was shut.
Now, this was not exactly pleasant
to me; but when l reflected that most
probably Mrs Robertson would be un.
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 OF
two when l heard slight rustling, as
of a 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 in no little surprise al
this greeting, which was evidently not
| intended for me; and there stood be
fore me fairy-like maiden of some II
summers, her brown hair falling loose.
ly from daintily shaped head, hel
cheeks aglow with the healthy morning
air she had been enjoying, and deep
ened, too, by rosy blnsh when she
discovered her greeting had been un
Willingly addressed to a stranger. she
Mas standing before me holding the
knot of flowers destined for her uncle'c
button-hole-how envied her uncle
q very picture of health, and life, and
happiness, and beauty. An instantan
eous mutual agreement seemed to flash
between us. We both broke into 8
merry little laugh; and | have otter
wondered what would have happened
if we had not adopted this course-if
for instance. the young lady had passed
on with dignified 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 few moments we
were chatting away like old friends.
fancied my fairy seemed to be actually
| pleased when | announced that | was
going to stay for breakfast; and | had
almost summoned up my courage tC
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 foi
the breakfast 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
unmistakable sound, which made me
long more than ever to be that girls
uncle. The door opened once more
I stepped forward to meet my employ
er, but suddenly paused, as tall gen.
tleman entered the room whom had
never before seen in my life.
He stood looking inquiringly at me,
after sharp "good morning" | was
too embarrassed to make any response
NY first thought was, "He is some Wis
ito" but in 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 a cool character; put / was
so taken by surprise and chagrin that
| couli only mutter some confused
apology about having been invited to
breakfast by Mr.. Robertson; that | had
been directed to this house by some
miserable understanding; that / hum
bly, apol' gized for my intrusion, and
hoped he would pardon it. So speak
ing | made frantic rush at my hat,
maddened 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 minutes | found | was
absurdly in love with
/ said hurried good morning" and
was trying to make a 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 and hui
initiation deeply, but 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.
'FYou really must forgive me; 1
could not refrain from laughing. My
name is Robinson. Your friend Mr..
Robertson lives in 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"
Now, this explanation toned down
\