Connecticut western news., 1885-10-21
THE DRAGONS DINNER.

The good housewives of the neigh borhood often said that Mrs. Smart ought to be the happiest woman in the world.
 'Such nice house as she lives in r said Miss Bryce, who. poor soul, taught the district school, and "board- ed around" like the scape- goat in the Scripture wildernesses.
 Such pious man as the dear dea- con is r added Mrs. Hopkins, whose better-half had once been sea-cap- tain, and was still apt to be profane by fits and starts. when the cattle got into the clover-ileld, and the midnight weasel marauded on his hen-coops and turkey-roosts
 With store carpet on the best room floor," put in Mrs, Jones. ''and a weekly newspaper, and white sugar in her tea every day of her life, and a horse and wagon to take her to meet in' Sundaysl"
 Such was the opinion of society as represented in Glen Hollow. Perhaps Mrs Deacon Smart soaS happy woman. But we are told. on the very best authority, that "the heart know eth its own bitterness"
 Mrs. Smart was washing up her best china, one morning, preparatory to giving grand tea-party, and her cousin, Ella Dale, was helping her, when the deacon put his shining bald head in at the door.
 My dear," said he, there is a paper of pins for you"
 Mrs. Smart nearly dropped gilt edged saucer, in her constcrnation.
 '.More pins" said she.
 "Yes. my dear," said the deacon, unctuously. "Pins are always useful"
 sOh, yes, pins!' said Mrs. Smart, giving her glass-towel a toss as she wiped the last globule of moisture from goblet. "But not rows of rus. ty wire! do say for it. Ebenezer-''
 "I'm going to Glen Depot, my dear, '' the deacon somewhat hurriedly inter- rupted, at this juncture; "and perhaps shan't be home until enc o'clock"
 He withdrew. and Mrs. Smart turn. sd to Ella Dale with half laugh.
 "There, my dear." said she. throw ing down the faded green roll of pin paper on the dresser, "there you be hold the secret of my domestic unhap- piness, the skeleton in my closet P
 Ella opened her round hazel eyes 'ery wide.
 "I can't think what you mean, Juliana," said she. "You unhappyi- and the dear deacon such truly good r n P
 "That's the trouble" said Mrs. Smart; "he's too good"
 "I don't sec how that can be possi- bl ]" protested Ella more perplexed ; than ever.
 And it's all at my expense" said Mrs. Smart, dolefu:Iy. "Do you see that paper of pinsY'
 "Why, of course see it." said Ella.
 "Well, MT. Smart has bought that paper of pins of peddler at the door, aid Mrs. Smart. 'Peddlers alway: come here. This house is a Mecca to the race of peddlers. They know that Mir. Smart always buys of them-he': too good-hearted to say DO; or rather let us speak the truth and shame hin who shall be nameless between us-ht Is too indolent to resist their importu. nities."
 Ella burst out laughing.
 "But what a very insignificant Title trial r said she.
 "Oh, yes. I dafe ,say!' said Mrs Smart. "The sting of hornet ism 70 very terrible in itself, but when a whole swarm is let loose upon you what then?'
 "A swarmp" repeated innocent Ella
 My dear," said Mrs. Smart, lower ing her voice to confidential whisper up stairs in my bedroom closet have eighteen papers of just sucl cheap pins-utterly useless for any thing but to bend themselves up doub ewhen you try to put them througf
 single thickness of calico, and to de ,viye you of your temper just wher you need it most;. six cards of porce ,sin buttons-an article which ne3e use; nine packages of stove blacking thirteen bottles of sewing machine oil five papers of rusty needles; dozel pairs of shoe-strings; and eight roll of tape. which is an insult to one common sensel If could reconcile to my conscience. I'd fling the whol collection into the fire; but I wa brought up to economize. What d you think Ella2 Would it be sin | annihilass ali thsss pitfalls to m squaalmliy r