The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-11-21


you. Come right upstairs to my room"
Now Lizzie was favorite of Mrs.
Browns; and she was glad to see her.
They chatted for moment or 80 upon
different subjects, and then Lizzie said:
"Oh How do you like my new hatP
just got it yesterday. Don't you think
it's becoming 7"
Mrs. Brown took a look at it..
"No-o," she answered reluctantly, al
don't. | think it's too big for you, and
too broad"
"Ohp exclaimed Lizzie, her face col.
oring up.
"You see." went on Mrs. Brown, deter
mined still to speak the truth, "Your
face is broad, Lizzie, any way; and hat
shaped like that makes it look more So"
Indeed - fared Lizzie, picking up
her gloves and parasol much obliged,
Pm sure; but don't think your face is
any narrower than mine is |"
"Why, Lzziel" expostulated Mrs.
Brown. 81 surely haven't offended you ?
l merely spoke the truth when you asked
me and l didn't didn't mean to hurt
your feelings"
THE truth, indeed !" snapped Lizzie.
"Where would you be, if told the truth,
| wonder ]"
And with this last shot Lizzie bounced
out of the room and went down the front
stairs as fast as possible.
Lizzie Lizzie |" called out Mrs.
Brown plaintively over the banisters !:
"Lizziel Please come back !"
But Lizzie was deaf, and went out shut
ting the door to with bang.
Mrs. Brown went back into her bed
room, and-well yes-she cried little.
1t certainly was hard, this being cham
pion of absolute truth. However, lit
tie reflection soon brought back her en-
thusiasm, and she determined still to 90
on in the good new way. Just then, Mary,
who had answered the ring of the front
door bell, came up to say MRS. Green
is down stairs, ma'am and would like to
see you"
Mrs. Brown reflected moment. Mrs.
Green was talkative, gossiploving neigh
Dor, whom she. had ever detested, but
whom she had ever been careful to con-
ciliate out of Difference to the sharpness
of her tongue.
"You may tell her, Mary" said Mrs.
Brown, slowly, "that l do not wish to
see her,"
"That you're very busy, and place to
excuse We, ma'am, is it ?" said Mary, I'M
derstandingly.
"No," said Mrs. Brown. essay Just
this-that no not wish to see her this
morning"
Mary smiled and went down and de-
livered the message
"What |" exclaimed Mrs. Green, in a
| high-pitched voice: "don't wish to see
me What's the reason, I'd like to
know? Has any one been carrying tales
of me, to her, L wonder This is an
awful town for gossiping, and know it;
and perhaps some one has told her some
story about me, or something. just 90
upstairs again, my good girl, and tell
your mistress that, if She has heard any
stories, am positive l can explain them
all away. 1t would grieve me to be bad
friends with Mrs. Brown she added,
smoothly.
Mary went upstairs again and deliv.
cred her message.
"Tell her, Mary" said Mrs. Brown decid.
eddy, that have heard no stories what.
ever; but that l do not wish to see her
this morning"
Down went Mary and delivered this
message.
"Well exclaimed Mrs. Green, this
is peculiar. Tell your mistress, my girl,
that she won't be troubled by my calls in
the future; but that she'll hear from me
some time soon
And with her head in air and eyes
flashing, Mrs. Green sailed slowly out.
Mary ran up stairs, giggling.
80, Missus She was that put out u
" | suppose 30, Mary" said Mrs. Brown
gravely. but | couldn't help it,
An hour later Mrs. Brown sat down to
write note. She had received an invi
tation TO lunch party, given by lady
whom she knew but slightly, but who had
invited her out of consideration for hel
established social position. 1t was fol-
this reason and no other that she was in
cluded among the select and chosen few
and she knew it, and it annoyed and vexed
her. She would not go; to that she ha6
made up her mind some time before but
she had intended sending polite note Of
regret. Now she determined to send an
honest note of explanation. Her note read
Mrs Smith; Dear Madam-I have to &C.
knowledge the receipt OF your invitation fol
the 18th inst. As you have seen me but twice
In your life and do not know me at all init
mately, am surprised at your asking me to
lunch party, as IL l were an old and valued
friend To say that thank you would be I'M
true, because your reason for asking me can
not be truly complimentary TO me; and to SAY
that regret not to be able to be present woulc
be equally false am not coming because
do not wish to come; and | trust il this sound
curt, that you will understand that it is witt
no feeling OF discourtesy toward you that
pen the words | am very sincerely,
Mrs F. BROWN
Mrs. Brown looked at this moment
little doubtfully before she put it into thu
envelope, then smiled to herself little
wickedly, gummed down the flap of the
envelope, and put on the stamp with more
than her usual frmness.
After dinner, about four o'clock in tn,
afternoon, the door-bell rang again
and this time it was the minister, Mr.
jackson, who had come to call.
"I'm real glad to see you, Mr.. Jack
son." she said, as she came into the par
lor. "Sit down."
Delightful day Isn't it, Mrs
Brown :" said the minister.
"Well: it is pleasant" said Mrs
Brown.
g" called especially, dear Mrs. Brown
to talk over with you that plan of gettint
up club among the church ladies for tn,
| benefit of the heathen You ramamha