, 1888-02-07
AN EXCHANGE.

wlable and clever Mr.. Obed Carhart and
his charming family. They had lived
many years i'll Lexington avenue, and |
am glad TO know that they az living
there to this day. The Carhart mansion
is as we'll known, as handsome in archi-
terture and as grandly furnished rs is the
lest house in Fifth avenue. Mrs. Carhart
is known throughout the city for her
liberal hospitality and her unstintcd char
ity. They have had but one child, a
daughter. a most accomplished girl, a
cultivated musician, and a young lady of
uncNCCptiunnble manner and bearing. If
Miss Henrietta had a fault Gf fault it can
be called), it was n fondncss for harmless
mischief.
The Carharts frequently give very de
lightful parties. chiefly of the musical
sort, Miss Carhart being, as | have said,
a competent musician. And it had hap
pencd that Mrs. Carhart had issued cards
on Monday last for n musical soiree on
the following Thursday. And among
the invitations were one for my friend,
Charles Crackles, and one for me. Cracklcs
had been rather more intimate with the
family than | was, and it is possible that
my being favored with occasional invita-
tioas from the Carharts was by reason of
M Icing n very perfect performer on the
Triangle, ard therefore, in some sort, a
dcirablc addition TO the ordinary musical
entertainment.
The Carharts, Notwithstanding that
they did not much care to be very init
mate with the DOGGY family, would not
slight their neighbor, and when the cards
Were sent out for the Thursday n card of
invitation was sent to Mr., DOGGY. And
thus it was that / come to narratc the
m~ischicvous work of our valued friend,
Mis- Henrietta, who thought it would be
n matter of some amusement if she
changed the invitations, sending to Mr..
DOGGY the one intended for Mr.. Cracklcs
anil the one for myself (Which was done
by sending both invitations TO the wrong
numlcre), and also sending one to Pro
fcsaor Toll, who had beer invited by Mr..
DOGGY to hold forth ON the temperance
question On the same evening of the Car
hart party, SO that Crackles and |, when
we went TO No. 115G, would be going 10
the Carhart soirce, whereas we should be
going to the temperance and total absti-
nCuce meeting. On the other hand, Pro
fczsor Tod supposed that by going 20 the
opposite house. at No. 1155, he would be
going to address n large number of dis
yiplcs on the absorbing subject of tenn
rcr-nce, which was TIE hobby equally of
Mr.. DOGGY and Professor Tod.
Accordingly, and as innocent as two
'lanbs of the first year" we went
together in full dress 10 the DOGGY resi-
doEce instead of to that Of the Carharts.
As we alighted from the carriage | OBJ
served that carriages were every moment
dashing up to the door in quick success
sion, while there was scarcely any light
about the premises at No. 1855. Strange!
Still worse, however, and more dis
couraging, was the glance | got (as /
entered the narrow halD of the persons
who were hanging about the staircase
and the parlOr doors. Why, some of the
guests had ovCrCoats on, many of then
had not been shaved for ages and not On.
that saw had patronized the hairdrcsscg.
Very remarkable this But we were
there. and we went into the hall, and
scarcely had Crackles and | entered be
furv we were violently seized by four
solemn, and l may add secdy, persons,
headed by n man with a white Cravat,
WHO informed me that he was Mr.. Doggy
Il had never before laid eyes on Mr..
Bogcy) and that this was the committee
and that we were rather late. What
this meant could not possibly divine.
Crackles and | were hurried up stairs
into n dingy room with one gas burner in
it. where We were desired to leave our
coats and hats. Another singular fact!
The parlors below were evidently full of
guests, but there were not any other
coats or hats about the darkened room.
We, however, laid aside our ovCrcoats
md hats, and it seemed very much to
emharTass these worthy persons when
they saw us in dress coats, embroidered
SHIRT fronts and white silk ties, and be-
hrl us drawing IN white kid gloves. l
GO you my word that some of them
wore wooden gloves.
One of the committee here inquired of
me how Were all the folks at Mudham. l
could not see any particular fun or wit
in that question; but the gentleman. ap-
parcntly meaning it as n joke, / smiled
grimly and said: That is good-very
good, indeed-glad to know you, sir. -
Whorcat the inquiring mind of that
memberof the committee seemed puzzled
and even disturbed, and rather to shrink
bucl, into himself rs a thing subducd.
Another member then asked if l was
ready, TO which ! replied hat / was. In
this manner we entered the parlors.
Horror Of horrorsl There were rows of
benches and chairs at regular intervals,
occupied by persons in the lowest condi-
ton Of Eccliness. The ladies wore bon
nets and high dresses, and the gentlemen
wore uvcrCuats. Most remarkable must
cal soircc this The rooms were dimly
lighted, and the whole affair wore n most
drcary appearance.
Solemuly up the center aisle l was
marched at the head of a procession of
the committee (Crackles, being alarmed,
had rGplained at the parlor door, up to a
little platform at the upper end of the
room. ON which platform was a table, be
hind which were several chairs in n semi
circular form, and on the table stood q
pitcher Of water and a tumbler. What
in the name Of common sense could be the
meaning Of thisl There was not ever a
piano in the room Queer musical party.
certainly Mr.. DOGGY motioned me to sit
down. Always DESTROYS of avoiding dan
Gcr TO my triangle, l drew it from my
pocket and laid it on the table. Great APP
plause followed this innocent action,
placing a triangle on a table, but scarcely
n Coos Appetite