The Columbus journal., 1882-05-31
The supper was really good. and that

The supper was really good, ana tn3S
constituted the entertainment" mostly.
! There was some soulless music, for Miss
Alice played the piano ittle-of course,
all young ladies must. whether they
have any music in their souls or 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 goodnight:
"A delightful evening, Mrs. Barnes,
your companies are always SO charm
ing!"
AFTER THE PARTY.
Remarks like these in the going homo
carriages: "Such 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
Is a poker; and what supper! such
vulgar profusion in everything: and SO
little silver or table ornaments"
"Did you notice the spoons were
plated, and half of them borrowed, l do
believe. As for me, wouldn't have a
party if couldn't afford the largest size
napkins"
"Well. we must at least give Mrs.
Barnes the credit of being a most charm
ing hostess. think she thoroughly en-
joys 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 "geniai hostess"
had thrown herself wearily into chair,
exclaiming: II am almost dead! Well,
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 affliction again for one while. l
hope" :,
"Why ever again, my dear?' urged
Mr.. Barnes, gently. "Why need we
accept invitations we do not care to re-
turn? 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 i'm preparation. | thoroughly en-
Joy receiving our friends in our home,
but how can anybody enjoy such a
farce rs this. with hOllowness on both
sides. Why. l felt guilty and mean all
the evening"
1T does seem as if that were the
better way" assented the wife, absent
ly, thinking how she could get break
fast 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 a calm fol-
lowing a small earthquake.
But the bills began to come in. They
looked large placed over against the
small family income. The father and
mother were talking them over one
night after the children were in bed.
They must be provided for by 'pinch-
ing somewhere else. as Mrs. Barnes
had said. She was ready with her
devices. 1--WE all need new f1annels
this winter" she said; 1.-The old ones are
very thin, but they must be made to do
with patching. Then we must do with
out beefsteak and oysters as often as
usual; these articles are expensive, you
know"
.It 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-our tenth,
you know" resumed the lady. doubt
fully couldn't you take little from
that?"
mot one cent from that. my dear,
the party was sel6shness, not charity"
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 Lo 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 a cousin of hers, who
lived comfortably in country home, not
expcnsively far from the city, whom
and whom she really ought to Uisit. So
with Alice and the two little ones, she
gave to this "dear friend'' the weeks
usually spent in boarding at the mount
aims or seaside. Cousin Clarissa did
her own work. and got rather tired, l
fear, but then it was q wonderful
saving. and the party had to be paid
for.
If had been writing fable, instead
of fact. would put at the bottom this
little moral: We all wear masks. Things
are not always called by their right
names. There is still much slavery in
the world, much voluntary scrritude We
are all slaves to the burdenSOme social
customs, whose yoke we abhor, but
dare not throw off.-Mrs Julia II.
MOrekOuse, in ErcrybOdy'S PaDer.