Nebraska advertiser., 1882-04-20

tom, the polishing of silver, the importa-
tion of crockery and extra help (D, and
the endless cooking, cooking, for the
Barnes family could not afford to order
their supper from the local Delmonico's.
So the younger children stoned raisins
and beat eggs, and enjoyed immensely
the confusion and general air of some
thing coming; and the family subsisted
upon outside slices ofroasts, unfortunate
biscuits and test pieces of cake. Some
things went wrong, of course, and had
to be done over, and there was hurry
and terrible anxiety for Mrs. Barnes,
who, | am sorry to say, lost her temper
several times, and developed unknown
powers of scolding. But everything
was wbis<ed into line at the very last
moment, and the poor lady with rack
ing headache was trying to get dressed
and composed, when somebody an
nounced the first carriage.
"How dreadfully early some people
do come. Here, Alice, help me on with
| this lace quick; / hoped to have mo-
ment to breathe"
Mamma, these new boots hurt me
dututty," groaned little May, an un-
comfortable child, who had not yet
| learned the WAYS of the world. al
would rather wear my old ones"
"No, no, never mind if they do hurt
little, they are lovely, so slim and
high, and such perfect match for your
dress" And so the poor child 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 a real little visit before
there are other arrivals
Mrs. Barnes had headache perhaps
she had forgotten what she said upstairs.
But why describe the usual routine of
hollow compliment, of pretty nothings,
of flattest platitudes, which make up
the conversation of such a gathering.
OF course, the guests discussed the
flowers, the few pictures, the music, the
supper, each others dresses and the
minister o, much enduring clergy,
what would society do without you, and
the weather
The supper was really good, and that
constituted the entertainment" mostly.
There was some soulless music, for Miss
Alice played the piano little-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 good-night:
"a delightful evening, Mrs. Barnes,
your companies are always so charm
ing!"
AFTER THE PARTY.
Remarks like these in the going-home
carriages "Such stupid affair! Why
will people like the Barneses try to ape
gentility, and give fashionable parties
when they don't know howp"
"Why, indeed! Everything was stiff
as 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, do
believe. AS for me, wouldn't have a
party if l couldn't afford the largest size
napkins"
"Well, we must at least give Mrs.
Barnes the credit of being most charm
joys seeing her friends; but her husband
| lnuSG DC u SlCdI lIldl W uGI, nc Is 50
distant and ungracious." ;"
Meanwhile, in the confusion of the
vacant rooms, the "genial hostess ~
had thrown herself YEARLY into chair
eXclaiming: - am almost dead! Well,
there's one consolation, our guests all
seemed to enjoy it, if Ue did not. /
received great many compliments for
the supper, and the entertainment gen.
orally; and we shant have to endure
this atlliction again for one while, l
hope"
"Why ever again, my dearP" urged
Mr.. Barnes, gently. "Why need we
accept 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. 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, felt guilty and mean all
the evening"
at does seem as if that were the
better way" assented the wife, absent
ly, thinking how she could get break
! Ihst ouu Ol Gltt ildss ol COuluslon Ill Jne
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 fol-
lowing 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