Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1888-02-25
AN EXCHANGE.


pitable and clever Mr.. Obed Carhart and
his charming family. They had lived
many years in Lexington avenue, and I
am glad to know that they arc living
there to this day. The Carhart mansion
is as well known, as handsome in archi-
lecture and as grandly furnished as is the
best house in Fifth avenue. Mrs. Carhart
is known throughout the city for her
liberal hospitality and her unstinted char
| ity. They have had but one child,
daughter, a most accomplished girl, a
cultivated musician, and young lady of
uneXceptionable manners and bearing. If
Miss Henrietta had fault Of fault it can
be called, it was fondness for harmless
mischief.
The Carharts frequently give very de-
lightful parties, chiefly of the musical
sort, Miss Carhart being, as 1 have said,
competent musician. And it had hap
pened that Mrs. Carhart had issued cards
on Monday last for musical soiree on
the following Thursday. And among
the invitations were one for my friend,
Charles Crackles, and one for me. Crackles
had been rather more intimate with the
family than l was, and it is possible that
my being favored with occasional invita-
tons from the Carharts was by reason of
my being very perfect performer on the
triangle, and therefore, in some sort, q
desirable 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 card Of
invitation was sent to Mr.. DOGGY. And
thus it was that / come to narrate the
mischievous work of our valued friend,
Miss Henrietta, who thought it would be
a matter of some amusement if she
changed the invitations, sending to Mr..
DOGGY the one intended for Mr. Cracllles
and the one for myself (Which was done
by sending both invitations to the wrong
numbers) and also sending one to Pro-
fessor Tod, who had been invited by Mr..
DOGGY to hold forth on the temperance
question on the same evening of the Car
hart party, so that Crackles and I, when
we went to No. 115G. would be going to
the Carhart soiree, whereas we should be
going to the temperance and total absti-
nence meeting. On the other hand, Pro-
fessor Tod supposed that by going to the
opposite house, at No. 1155, he would be
going to address large number of dis
ciples on the absorbing subject of tenn
perance, which was the hobby equally of
Mr. DOGGY and Professor Tod.
Accordingly, and as innocent as two
Glands of the first year." we went
+ooo+lor -, full 1,acs 70 4l,a Roc,a1, roc;
dence instead of to that of the Carharts.
AS Se 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. 115j. Strangel
Still worse however, and more dis
couraging, was the glance l got Gas l
entered the narrow hal) of the persons
who were hanging about the staircase
and the parlor doors. Why, some of the
guests had overcoats on, many of them
had not been shaved for ages and not one
that saw had patronized the hairdresser.
Very remarkable this! But we were
there, and we went into the hall, and
scarcely had Crackles and 1 entered be-
fore we were violently seized by four
solemn, and l may add seedy, persons,
headed by man with white cravat,
who informed me that he was Mr.. Doggy
q had never before laid eyes on Mr..
Bogey) 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 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 overcoats
and hats, and it seemed very much to
embarrass these worthy persons when
they saw us in dress coats, embroidered
shirt fronts and white silk ties, and be-
held us drawing ON white kid gloves. /
give 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.
could not see any particular fun or wit
in that question; but the gentleman, APP
parcntly meaning it as a joke, smiled
grimly and said: "That is good-very
good, indeed-glad to know you, sir. -
Whereat the inquiring mind Of that
member Of the committee seemed puzzled
md even disturbed, and rather to shrink
back into himself as a thing subdued.
Another member then asked if was
ready. 10 which I replied that was. In
this manner we entered Che parlors.
Horror Of horrors There were rows Of
benches and chairs at regular intervals,
occupied by persons in the lowest condi-
ton Of scodiness. The ladies wore bon
nets and high dresses, and the gentlemen
wore overcoats. Most remarkable must
cal soiree this! The rooms We're dimly
lighted, and the whole affair wore a most
dreary appearance.
Solemnly up the center aisle l was
marched at the head Of procession Of
the committee (Crackles, being alarmed,
had remained 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 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
I