Smyrna times., 1885-03-25
An EYening Party.


like Office Of huge distillery.
Position is everything!" cries we'll
known adage, cons, quently 7. B. took
his place in society, and kept it because
he had position-N position in the full
filling of whose duties he did not soil
his hands. He was comely-comely ap-
piled to a man sounds queer-sleek-
faced, we'll developed figure (the orders
to his tailor regarding the quantity of
padding for his coat were very liberaD,
his walk was pOmpous, and struck envy
to the hearts of the admiring tape
measurers; and his conversation-erac-
ious! how it terrorized the hearts of the
helpless girls who felt themselves yield
ing to its persuasiveness
OF course he belonged to the Gentle
mems Club" and had his share in the
manifold expenses of that very expensive
concern; he attended the same church as
his employers, and contributed freely
and ostentatiously to the poor-box. Aud
in spite of all this lOng-tongued people
would insinuate that perhaps the balance
of his bank account at the end of the
year was like the number of days re-
naming in the year-infnitesimal short.
But when with John Hightone and
Joe Abram the flowing bowl was quaffed,
or the champagne, you know" his
tongue dealt in fOwery eloquence and
be was unanimously crowned laureate,
| because of his attractive, polished man
ners, and the abundance Of spicy stories
always at command. Often havehis com.
| paniOns sat Open-mouthed nt these tales,
to which the Arabian Nights sank
promptly into utter insignihcance, and
| Baron Munchausen Swallowed away into
nOthingness.
But this divergence has been made as
text to be. and as base for the story
of Toms trouble and what came about
through the evening party. And if the
personal savOrs too strongly of photo
graph-which is to be dreaded, because
who ever knew a photograph album
filled with strangers fNces and figures to
be interesting ?-the indulgence of an
indulgent public is asked.
On this particular morning, at about
nine o'clock, the sun broke through the
yelling clouds, and a ray of his welc me
light cutting its way down through the
smoky atmosphere disclosed to Toms
eager eyes an envelope bearing the fam
liar monogram of a society belle lying
before him on the dusty desk. 1t re
ques;ed his company, &c; but why en-
large?
care You invited ?" Mind your own
business /"
These were the only remarks or replies
of Mr.. Tom for the customary saluta-
tiors of his fellows. Then on Thursday
evening he made his glad way alone and
i'll hanson to the scene of action tc
the evening party. He was attired in
fnll dress, regardless of cost (althougl
his tailor threatened to seize on collater.
aD, andin the reception room took every
possible occasion, and there were many
for sneering at those who had not come
similarity attired. Aud as carriage fol
lowed carriage to the hospltable door
and the Expected did not come, Tom
whose bosom had long been agitateC
With narrowing doubt, which this very
night he had resolved to fathOm, grew
more and more dispirited. And tin
cool, sarcastic Fred Grayner, sitting
easily in tilted back chair, and clad il
plain tweed suit, 10y several opportun
remarks added to his discomposure.
1.-The confounded fellow /" quoth on
hero. Thinks himself my equal, d
believe, and in that miserable suit -
) All of which reflections were lost O.
Fred, and by T. BIS particular inter
tion, for he assuredly respected the re
bust physique of this hatred critic.
The utterances of fellow who is i
4 love may be overlooked, especially whe
that love is at fever heat, and We ovel
look and are charitable with 7. B. fO
these inhamed sayings concerning Nj
Grayner, who, all the town knew, W.
g rival for Miss Bartholomew hand.
r The reflections of the rivals glaring
e each other under the bright sunlight
Fred: Wont Agnes give him fl
this evening if he comes near her agai
with his sickening pleading for marrial
; and blatant tales of his own acquir
ments9 If she doesn't I'll take the jC
out of her hands and rid her presence
: the shaIlOw-brained cub. What a mise
able air of utterly-utter!
"If that young jackanapes in Il
Tweed suit dares to approach Miss A
y nes" thought y. B., won't she send hi
to the right-abouti The idea of his da
ing to dance with her-she clad in viii
= satin, he in TINT old business suitl"
A rustic of rich, heavy satin on Il
staircase, and through the half-Op'
door our gentlemen witnessed the g
trance Of 'Ihe expected ;" and with
little further description of Mr. Grayn
we leave the amiable and well-wishil
y. pair, and make the acquaintance of
90 few Of the assembled-iust to fill in q
90 corners of our drawing.
He wasn't notoriously well-to-dO, b
;. he came from respectable family, al
" being a hard aud willing worker, b
- rapidly risen in the estimation of
employers and acquaintances. He W
. only an assistant in a wholesale crOcke
warehouse, but was studiOus and unC
tentatious in all things Being such,
had gained Miss Bartholomew estee,
and the reciprocated feeling had becoI
so intense that this evening was to b'
. red-letter evening of his Young life,
: assault on Cupid's battery "a fOrlorn a
, hopeless combat sometimes) havi
been resolved.
r Now Agnes, if he only knew il, >lov
T. him and despised the blatant Tom. n
BY knowing this. he felt the usual anxiet