The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-12-25


She entered the room with a very grand
air, and in full dress, as it had been in vogue
some thirty years previously, wearing an elab-
oratr turhan head dress an Adelaide colored
satin gown, white gloves and gold spangled
fan, all n little faded and worn and Soiled,
but showing that Mrs. Parnell considered
that she bad come to an orthodox evening
party and understood what was expected on
such occasions.
Honor hurriedly conducted her to the seat
of honor, explaining that she felt it so kind
of her to come and help them entertain their
guests who were for the most part people in
humble life
Mrs ParncIl looked rather diSagreeahly sur
priscd and drew herself up a little haughtily
for II moment. But She had only time to SAY
that. although she had not been accustomed
to mix with her interiors, she had no objcc
tiDn To do 80 for once, and under the circum-
stance OF being invited to assist in entertain
ing the good people, when, after little scuf-
fling in the passage, the door opened, and
assisted 10y friendly push from Sally old
Nannic entered the room.
To figure as one of the guests for whom she
had helped To prepare was just at first 200
much for old Nannies philosophy. There was
certainly great contrast between Mrs Par
nell in her faded grandeur and Mamie in her
short, scaut, we'll worn merino gown. her
plli" muslin cap, her sleeves too short To-
cover her bnny " riStS and her hands hearing
witness TO life OF toll. Her only prepara-
tions for company seemed to have been that
OF turning down iIcr cuffs, which were usually
turned up, putting on an old fashioned collar
with frill reaching TO her thin shoulders
and pinned on awTy, with n brooch of Cam
den Town emeraldS and diamonds purchased
for her by Sally in honor of the occasion.
So far all was going on propitiously; and
no sooner was Mamie indicted into her COM
Portable chair 10y the fire in the back room,
where she Slt with a hand planted upon each
knee. and her ewes turned complacently to-
ward tn well spread table, than the little
tailor and his wife-neither of them much
moro than five feet hi-h-were ushered in
HI Vry.rty, fair haired school mistress, in
deep ms ming, was welcomed. and after her
came Johnny and his mother. No one seemed
10 thjr.s # calling her anything but "Johnny's
mother With them came the poor
Io.,rnr." who had not been easily induced To
accept the invitation, and who was looking
very doubtful and reserved, and on the de-
fruSive. 81 20 speak. as though their motive
was ~ Yet not quite clear To him
Eut Hounr'> diplomatic little aside, which
had answered - well with the others, seemed
60 succeed with him also; nj any rate, SO far
rs diS,trminC his suspicious went. In reply nc
bowed low, with n few words about his eSti
nation Of the privilege OF being allowed u
assist Miss Bryson in amy way. But it was
enough to show that he was gentleman, had
he not, evidently weak as he was, and appre
ciatiVe of the comfortable chair assigned to
him, - courteously underworld TO decline it
in favor OF others. The threadbare clothes
which hung - loosely about his tall, gaunt
frame conrrasted piteously with his dis
tinguiShed bearing. At the same time there
waS no trace in his countenance, which was
that of a refined thinker, of any vice which
might have brought him 80 low in the social
scale rs TO desire TO conceal himself in the