The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-01-25
MRS. SMITHS TEA.


was little village. wont say where,
bgIt it stood at tine foot Of hill, and il
doubtless stands there still. A pretty
river meanders in and oat amongst the
highways and by-wavs. 50 that you
never know when you have to cross a
bridge; and with big trees, handsome
houses, and Gothic church, il i as
pretty place as can well be imagined.
Perhaps that Is the reason why lis in
habitanis-iliose whose fathers ard
crandfaihers before them have been
0palites-are so exclusive, and turn the
cold shoulder TO all the strangers not
properly insroduced--not co,sched for by
somebody who IS somebody
However, at the date Of our story.
there dwelt amongst these exrluSe reopie
two high and mighty parsonage to whom
aIlb0scd down. There we're the Smiths
The smiths. Smith. we all know, Is the
name by which, when Adam got tired Of
naming the heads of ancient families, he
ehristened ali the rest in a lump.
These particular smiths were also
name,i John and Mary, which proves
that RoHaco's inquiry, whats in a
nalne2 was an apt question, for it made
no difference, -ihey Aere. .stil the Smiths.
The first Smith bought land. There
was not only grandfather, but great
grandfather's father to be talked Of as
having built JUS, there: ard the present
Mrs. Smiths relatives we're great pee
pie; and they were rich-no one knew
how rieh
II was tine Custom in Opal to wait un-
til Mrs. Smith took notice Of stranges
before taking them up That set the
seal on their position.
When little Mrs Miller came to Opal
because she thought i 4 pretty place, she
built house there, and brought her two
little boys and her old servant with her
she did not know the ways Of the place
She Was social. and used to being liked
for herself She had been even sought
after.
But Opal did not know her ~amily; =
thought her a. too ire>sy FOR widow"
too pretty, toe. I, was fashionable 10
bc plain of face and costume in opal
The best families we're ike that.
Close watch was kept over the Smiths.
They did not call. Therefore no ene
else called. But little Mrs. Miller who
was not apt to fancy herself likely To be
sighted, laid all the primncss Of the
manners Of Qualities to the fact that she.
had not bel pleasant enouytt to them,
and having arranged her tiny home to
her satisfaction. sent out cards Of invita-
ton to tea 10 all those to whom she had
spoken at the church or who were very
near her home, - that pleasant morn
ings or good evenings had been ex-
changed
Everybody is respectable in these
small places she thought. ~auI all ac-
es.aiE:esi, Of course
Mrs. Bright, the minister's wife, was
the iirs. to 90 her card. Unfortunately.
as she expressed it to Mrs. Miller, her
husband WIS going to marry couple
that afternoon, and az they were friends,
she was going to the wedding.
The rest simply looked at their cards
eontcmpiuousiy. and, without hesitation.
penned regrets without apology
Does she expect 10 step into our 50
cicty that wav without our knowing who
she is9H said Mrs. Doublesiee Brick,
with 4 sniff sha'nt send any answer
wha;ever."
When the Smiths have not Called
added her mother-in-law
AID 80 the postnlan had a large par
eei Of small envelopes for Mrs. Miller
one morning. aud sbe, for the first time
in her lie. felt angry. She had not
made party Of il. only an informal affair
with one days notiee, and everything
was prepared Her Bew dress; black
lace, with pale-pink bow in her black
hair, and paie-pink roses for her belt.
hung On a chair, and, for while, the
Iittle woman was very angry, indeed
nlsrtiaei. too.
The firs< dawn Of such q feeling was
very painful
Vas slse cut by these sRimp9Ftant
people Of opaI--sl.e. who in London had
been beauty, and in Dublin had had
80 MANY Invitations that 10 knox wiiicii
70 asnep, for certain night WIS rather
difficult
Ho scser, there acre no antecesicnts Of
an nrp:eassst nature in her lif.s-ncth-
ing to make her think they have
heard" aai afier xhiie ssss laughed
ever ia
she had neves heard Of the smiths.
They lived dissane away, aud az
tended anoI her ehsrei, ostside the vii
iaxe. .xssess their nepisev preached,
She had not, % her Eno~iedge, rset
either of them. for she did not know. that
the old gentleman wlso had helped her
into her carriage one day at the station,
when her horse would NOT stand still,
was The S.aah, and she had sent this good
couple no card