The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-01-26

and monumental; but to-day, by George !
it smells like Delmonico's. And he went
shifting over the basement stair rails. "Bet
the landlady's going to have party to see
the old year out
whats up, l wonder?" said Smith,
loosely. ''Say, Parker" as another man
entered with his latch-key, "did you ever
see our landlady
''Never. Don't want to either. 1 pay
up to an old dragon of a mulatto. Hello !!
smells here like the supper some fellows
gave me last New Years.
II can tell you" remarked Smith, four
Miss Vanderwhat-y you-c call EN- is a rum lot.
She looks like royal Egyptian mummy;
gives me an arctic bow now and then; be-
longs to one of the old families"
''Old families be-confounded y replied
Parker, carelessly; and he turned to go up
stairs, nodding on the way hasty "How
are you p to a little Japanese gentleman,
who had come in with his pass-key like
the others, and had been listening to the
conversation.
Presently the japanese advanced civilly
toward Black, and asked, in very precise
English, crushed to a strange, inimitable
softness on his foreign tongue:
'Pardon; but kindly inform me why the
lady prepares feast ?''
"Oh, for New Years, l guess" respond
ed Black, airily. at was an old fashion
to 90 round visiting, and make pig of
yourself, on that day." and after the man
ner of the festive lodger, he franchised the
stairs at few bounds, and loudly slammed
his door up above.
Mr.. Tokugawa gazed after Black heavy
heels with that air of quiet observation pc
culiar to these well-bred little yellow gen.
tlemen; then he took his own noiseless way
to his room. With delicate lowering
hand that proclaims familiarity with books,
he chose certain volumes from his we'll
filled shelves, and at once began carefully
searching them.
New Years Day was bright, crisp and
clear Nature herself seemed inclined to
wholesome festivity Miss Vanderwey-
ster's parlor looked much as it had looked
half century before; the solid mahogany
furniture was little worn as to the hair
cloth covering, but improved as to the color
and polish of the wood; and there stood the
embroidered screen representing ''Rebecca
at the Well,' and there were the claret
moreen curtains, and in each window hung
wreath of evergreens, and beyond the
bright CRATE fire the folding-doors stood
wide open, displaying the dining room, with
its shining sideboard and the table spread
with substantial banquet. Meats and
salads, temptingly garnished with fresh
lettuce and ruddy beets, were dispersed be-
tween forms of translucent jellies and piles
of spicy cakes. Solids and dainties, piquant
sours and luscious sweets, were generously
set out all together; steaming coffee offered
solace to the cold and weary, and punch
waited subtle invitation through the air.
Sylvia hoyered about the room, her
wizened features all relaxed with house
wife's satisfaction, and when Miss Lisbeth |
appeared from behind the tall screen which
hid from view bed and dressing-table, |
the old servant let her off with actually |
only one command:
''Jess 90 straight away an put on your
pearl pin, Miss Lis"
Miss Lisbeth hesitated. "Isnt it rather
"Bress us ! not bit. Nothin amt too I
gay for such New Years. Look at de
sunshine; look at de punch; look at Me-"
and with a merry display of the interior of
her toothless mouth, Sylvia turned about
to show the bow of her starched white
apron, which was in state of sheet-iron
perfection.
So the pearl pin-a poor little trihe at
best-lent its glory to the neck of Miss
Lisbeth's black silk gown. There were
bits of court-plaster that mended the sun
dry wounds of time in that gown; but, on
the whole, the glisten and the paper-like
rattle of the costume were very satisfactory.
'Now, Sylvia" said Miss .Lisbeth, ''it's
nine o'clock, and the calls ought to begin
1 declare feel nervous about meeting so
many gentlemen, though at my age it is
ridiculous, of course"
.'Oh, dey'll be comm in crowds putty
soon, Miss Lis. Hark deres a ring |
now;" and Sylvia trotted off to the front
door and flung it open wide, calculating
promptly, "Miss Vanderweyster in de
parlor, sir But surly messenger-boy |
stepped in, handing over bundle unmis-
takably made up of quart bottles, and,
thrusting pink ticket in her face, growled
"Nr. Smith; second floor. Hurry up"
When Sylvia returned to the parlor she |
remarked: II s'pose dem dodgers II be
maxim calls
"Of course" answered Miss Lisheth;
''they probably call on persons of their own
class. But they had very decent refer
ences, Sylvia; and when they come to pay
their respects to me, pray see that they
have enough to eat. | remember mamma
used to give the tradesmen wine at the
sideboard."
"Bress us, Miss Lis, what days dem was !
but to.day's not fur behind um. jess see
dat table p
"Dear! dear you'd better keep the
coffee hot, Sylvia; the callers will soon come
crowding in all together. 1t used to take
several servants to supply the gentlemen
when they arrived by threes and fours."
"Why, Miss Lis, often see fifty in here
afore dis time o day. Dere's ring again.
OATS Major Spuytenduyvil sure, -
But it was only some books for "Mr.
To-ku-To-ko-Co-co-Mr. Heather Chi
nee, or suthin, said the facetious young
man who delivered them.
"Bress usr' exclaimed Sylvia; 'dat ere
yaller thing knows how to read, do be-
lieve. Let colored folks keep up to de
basement, says L.
"Certainly," remarked Miss Lisbeth; II
had strong objections to that heather per-
son, but his references were excellent, and
so l couldn't refuse him. Another ring r
And she ensconces herself majestically ex-
actly in the middle of the sofa. "They're
coming, surely"
But no; this time it was tramping beg
gar; next time it was circular; then a
friend to see Parker; and at each alarm the
coffee-urn was rushed upstairs in mad
haste; then afterward lugged to the kitchen
again with anxious care