Huntsville gazette., 1889-05-25
A GENTEEL FAMILY.
But Somehow Charlie Did Not Ap-
ES preciate Gentility.

"Oh, goodness graciousm cried Mrs.
Patty Parkman. dropping the open
letter from her hand in dismay, "what
will be done? and the best rocking
chairs limb is broke. and the looking
glass on the toilet bureau is in frag-
<aents! Mercy mer'
What is it, map" queried her two
daughters. Hannah and Angelina, in
chorus.
What is itr' cried Mrs. Parkman,
Indignantly; oh, heavens! what isn't
it?"
II don't see that the house is on
frer' exclaimed Hannah, with irony.
Daughter, beware how you address
me! Only hear this epistle read, and
then decide if there isn't cause for dis
may. 1t is from your second cousin.
Charles Eastford-the Philadelphia
lawyer-hear what he says:
DEAR AUNT PATTY-The physicians tell
me that my health requires change, and as
the warm season is now approaching. and the
quiet OF your little village looks enticing-I
purpose to infiict upon you my society for q
couple OF months-if agreeable to you and your
family. Probably, shall not be out before the
first Of June. Please drop me line on the
subject at your earliest convenience. Present
my love to the grls-tell them not to engage
themselves until come-and accept for your
self my most dutiful and affectionate regards.
Your obedient nephew,
CHARLIE EASTFORD.
There now! who ever did hear the
like of it! Not but what | should be
delighted to see Charles, for he is al
most millionaire, and OF such an old
family on his fathers side! The East
fords were SO genteel! Why, his grand
mother Eastford never combed her
own hair in her life, and his father
always kept servant to open and shut
the door after him! l should be
charmed to receive Charles, but our
house is so old-fashioned, and the fur
niture so much the worse for wear!
And the strawberry preserve is all
gone, and the carpet faded under the
windows! And, oh, dear! there's the
napkins! never thought of them be-
fore! they are literally in rags! What
will be done?"
"Cut up a tableclothr' suggested
Hannah.
Thank you, my dear; so we can.
You and Angelina can make them up
this afternoon; and girls" in mys-
terious whisper II want you to do
your best toward captivating your
cousin Charles, for he is rich, and will
not care so much for a wealthy wife as
for a genteel one And, Angelina,
dear. don't call your sister Hannah. it
is horribly vulgar name! your father
would have the poor child ruined with
that name, because it was his mothers.
Call her Anna-that is more proper.
And Anna, do try and break yourself
of that dreadful habit of putting your
fingers in your mouth when you are
spoken to; it is terribly ungenteel.
And as / said. / want you to look your
prettiest, girls, to captivate this fine
young city aristocrat."
Both Of US are to marry him, then?"
questioned Hannah. sententiously.
Anna, you are disrespectful. OF
course. Charles will have some choice,
and | advise you both to hold your
selves in readiness to accept his pro-
posals."
When they come. But what is to
be done with Katie Glenn, I wonder?"
Katie Glenn! Child. you astonish
me! Why, Katie will do the work as
usual. and keep in the kitchen out Of
sight. Genteel families don't have
their servants in the parlor."
Yes, but Katie's pretty, and these
nice young gentlemen. like cousin
Charles, are remarkably prone to dis
cover all red-cheeked Cinderellas,
even If they do snuff ashes in the
lower regions of the cuisine"
Nonsense Katie looks well
enough, but she is destitute of style,
and her dress is so ungenteel! And
her family are mere nobodies! Her