The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-01-06
VALERIA'S CALLERS.
Why Invited and How They
Were Entertained.

"Now wonder what that meansp"
said Philo Lusk.
He had just come back from his
snowy tramp to the post-oflice, with
the weekly papers and one letter.
Old Mrs. Lusk had brought in the
lighted candles, and piled an extra
log on the fire, so that the low ceiled
kitchen was all aglow with rudy light,
while the smell Of stewing apples, and
the song Of the tea-kettle, which hung
from the iron crane, lent a practical
idea Of comfort to the scene.
"1axes, amt itp' said Mrs. Lusk,
whose eyesight was not as good as it
had been.
"No, it amt taxes" mechanically
uttered her son, still intent on the con-
tents of the envelope that he had just
torn open.
swell, then, It's letter from your
Aunt Sophrony, out on Long Island,
asking for money!"
''No, it amt" said Philo. 1T amt
. letter Ut oil. It's just card: Miss
{ Valerie Whitman, At home. JanAAfy 1.
1000.' ;"
''La!" said Mrs. Lusk. "She wants
you to call there"
"Get out!'' said Philo, with sudden
accent of sheepishness. Why should
l go therep"
''Well, why note" said Mrs. Lusk.
ats what the city people do, I'm told
They bake big cake and draw a
pitcher of cider, and set down in their
best clothes to see company. Vally
Whitman is dreadful enterprising. She
means to lead in the fashion"
'Am to call therep" asked Philo.
''Why, of COURSE" said his mother.
"What else does it meanp--'M Miss Valeria
Whitman. At Home. ,"
"She's at home most days, amt
she?" said Philo, musingly. There
never was anything Of the CAD.
about in Vally Whitman that ever ]
heard Of" .....
"Oh, but this 'ere's a new kink!" ex.
planned Mrs. Lusk. "New Years Day
don't you seep" I
I'D calculated to take the oxen on
to Snidge hill and grub stumps out OF
the clearin' on New Years Day." said
Philo.
1.-The next day will do just as well
for the stumps," said Mrs. Lusk, en-.
couragingly. Zone might as well be Out
of the world as out of the fashion.
Deacon Folgrove got one of Miss
Whitman's cards; also Squire Hart
In fact, there was not widower OF
old bachelor or eligible swain in al
Cedarville who was omitted from the
list
Il amt as young as I was" said
Miss Whitman to herself. "It's high
time took steps to establish myself
So she put fresh muslin curtains ti
the windows, made herself a new gowr
according to the latest fashion-plat(
and prepared for the festive Initial Day
of the year. ...
"As for you, Bella" she said to hel
niece. who worked in the needle fac
tory near by and paid for her boart
and lodging by such household tasks a.
she might be able to do nights ant
mornings, you can 60 up to old Mrs
Willctt's on New Years Day. TAX,
my compliments and jar of them fer
mentcd sweetmeats-o Mrs. Willet
won't ever know the difference-ant
stay all day and sew and mend for her
There amt no virtue like that of char
ity."
"But, aunt" pleaded Bella. "woult
not some other day do as well for Mrs
Willettp Iwould rather remain her,
and"
mo, it wouldn't" said Miss Valera
CURLY. "When say l want thins
done want it done! So ihere!'
II know" said Bella to herself
"Aunt Val is going to wear that ridicu
lous low-necked dress of dyed greer
satin, and the wreath of flowers; ant
I'm perfectly certain that that was
bottle of hairdye saw en- her burea,
labeled Best black ink And she ha
sent out a lot of cards, and is going I,
see company and am to be sent off b
Snidge Mountain, where Mrs. Willet
lives, to be out of the way. Well, wei
Seew esq
Miss Valeria Whitman had Jus
passed her five-and-fortieth year. Sh
was stout and ruddy, with tn. YER
best set of teeth that the Cedavill
dentist could supply. and a perpetus
smile r;vpted IN her Inns. and she Wa