Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-04-27

pertinently have inquired what
public or private interest the an
nouncement of this fact could have
to the community; but it is to be
supposed the hidden meaning was
understood, tor the recipients of the
intelligence alluded to the subject
among themselves with broad
smiles (of pleasant anticipation, no
doubt), and the remark, "Ah the
Dobbses are going to give a party!
ha, ha, ha !" became current at ev-
cry street corner.
Mrs. Do5bs pronounced the notes
"very pretty" and in young Thorn
ass ewes they were "Old persim-
mons,D but Miss Susan turned up
her nose, which wasan unnecessary
exertion, as nature had given it an
aristocratic lift in advance, as she
remarked:
"The notes is well enough; ; but,
sakes. what name | always did
hate it, and now it's worse than
ever. Susan Dobbs The Dobbs is
bad enough, without having Susan
tackled on it.'
Susan amt so bad as Sally" re-
sponded her sister. "I don't see
why pa and ma couldn't "a named
us ArabelIa and ROsamond, or
something NICE"
"1'm sure Soosleis apretty name"
said ma Dobbs, taking up the sub
iect in selfdefence, "and we can
call Sally, 'Sarawh,' as PearsalPs
folks do their Sally. It's because
we don't speak 'em polite that
makes 'em so bad"
"But there Is the Dobbs' lett yet"
replied the still discontented $500
zle.' 81 don't see why we can't
change that, too; other folks do
Smythe's folks used to be Smiths
before they got rich, and the
Brownays vera Browns where they
came FROM"
We might call it Dobdys," said
Miss Sarawh," who had undoubted
" got an understanding glimpse of
Mark Twain's description of Mrs.
O'Reilley's transition to Madame
OrdiHe, in "The Gilded Age"
81 can't see as that is any pref
tier than Dobbs," replied Mrs.
Dobbs, but (meekly bowing to the
superior Judgment of her daughter)
task your pa when he comes in,
an if he' Is willn' | had just as
soon be called Daubby as anything
else.p
We must try and talk perllter,"
said Miss Sally, after a moment
awe say git, and go, and all them
things as isn't manners, jist like
common folks, and I'm goin' to try
i mean indeavor, to talk more
eddicated now"
"What shall we say instead of
git and 'go'i' asked Miss Susan,
in open.mouthed astonishment at
this exhibition of her sisters su-
periOr wisdom.
"Why, OBTAIN and peramber-
late,' of course" replied Miss Sally,
tossing her head with lofty scOrn.
"l've been observin' in the dictlon-
ary, and there's lots of words we
should ought to use instead of them
as we do"
"Better swaller the dictionary,
and then yoH'll haye it handy" re-
mark Thomas, Ia "terrlble in-
FAINT" 81 tell you what III do" he
continued, after a moments refec
ton. "'ll foller you up with II
when the party is here, and when
there's a chance to stick IN big
word I'll sing it cut to YOU"
Thomas repented his brotherly
suggestion in dust and ashes, fol-
By it be received an introduction
to the brOom.handle, welded by
the skillful hand of Miss Sally, who
stopped not for dictionary words OF
stylish grammar as she poured out
her wrath upon him for his imper
dence.
The question ofrefreshments was
next considered, and it was one Of
perplexing interest, until happy
thought struck Mrs. Dobbs' mind
which removed the wrinkles from
her in a twinkling. The DObbses,
like every aristocratic () family
had an unpresentable (of course
poor relation--fearfully trouble
some in society, but exceedingly
useful III the kitchen and seam
stress department. The specimen
of the genus under present consld
GRAFTON had long ofliciated as cool
in family noted for stunning din
ners and recherche suppers, ant
was therefore entirely eligible foI
the situation.
To be sure, Mrs. Dobbs had Gu
her numerically since her rise II
society ; bu, If she had any doubt
of procuring her service, the sigh
of the Dobbs pocketbook reassure'
her. She was right-nothing bu
pressing needs would have induced
Mrs. Grey to enter the house OF he
purse-proud relative; but neces
Nity conquered, and all went merr.
in the culinary department.
1t was exasperating, to be sure
to observe that the bakers ma
and the butchers boy paid NOR
respect to Mrs. Gray than to tn
lofty Mra. Dobbs, and that th