Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-02-13
From the London World. So
MRS. MAYNE'S FIRST DANCE,

WlVs WIN M - u tnOI VANVEs
MY daughters are going to give q
small dance. May hope to have the
pleasure of your ladyship's assist
ance ?"
s'I shall be proud, I'm sure.,,s
"And we trust that your sons viii
Gomez"
"They will, of course; I'll mention the
matter to them tonight"
Mrs. Mayne was iustifably pleased al
this result of her little attempt at do.
mestic diplomacy. With the counte.
nance of SO great a person as Lady Ros
amund Broadstairs, the projected bal
was a certain success; and, besides, il
must necessarily elevate the Maynes in
the opinion of their social circle, who
never aspired higher in the social world
than to city knight, with his lady and
family. Mrs. Mayne could hardly walk
nome quickly enough, so anxious was
she to confde to her daughters and
husband the outcome of her boldness
and naturally they congratulated her on
her intimacy with such lofty aristo-
crat
my DEAR" said Mr.. Wayne, Il really
think we might increase our subscrip-
ton to the society. Already your work
has borne fruit, and it behooves us who
have to give"
''Can not we come to your meetings,
mother ?" asked Miss Victoria Mayne
they seem very jolly"
And one sees such nice people
there said her sister, Miss Alexandra
Il m afraid you girls do not fully APP
preciate our objects and the work we
do" replied their mothers it is not
all frivolity, not merely pleasant con-
versation with ladies and gentlemen,
charitable persons of exalted rank"
This was perfectly true. "The Toffee-
drop and Sherbet Association. of
which Lady Rosamund Broadstairs was
lady patroness and Mrs. Mayne a mem
Der of committee, had been formed
some time ago for the benevolent pur-
pose of providing the children of indi-
gent artisans with MANTLE luxuries.
and the whole Christian world knows
how admirably it is fulfilling it's aims.
The persons who concerned themselves
IN the organization and administration
OF the affair met twice month for bust
ness purposes; and on one occasion
there had been most successful penny
reading IN connection with the society,
photographic report of which, mention
ing Mrs. Mayne's name among others,
had appeared in the papers. Here it
was her ladyship had given a lecture on
The Busy Bee" and her sons had
obliged with an artistic rendering of
knock aderry," the most popular Irish
song of the day, which had brought
down the house,-or, more correctly,
the corrugated iron schoolroom. No
wonder that, with enterprising, 60
ahead patrons and patronesses such as
these, the ''Foffeedrop and Sherbet" So
~clety prospered, and the afability of
the real lady of title toward her more
humble workers endeared both herself
and pet scheme to all with whom she
came in contact. 1t happened that
Mrs. Mayne was passing out of the hall
OF the meeting place while Lady Rosa
mund was waiting for her carriage on
the day our story opens, and the form
~er took courage and received the fat
terlng promise already recorded.
Now, OF course, nothing remained to
do but make preparations for the bali
which was to astonish the entire neigh
,'borhood of Colchester Terrace and to
scaucoct list Of persons worthy of the
honor of meeting Lady Rosamund
Broadstairs and her two artistic sons.
Nor was this completed without consid-
cradle tribulation and argument in the
family circle. Mr.. Mayne was for in
wiling his business acquaintance from
the city, but the very idea of CONNER
clal clerks was repugnant to his wife.
"We can ask them to dinner when we
are Alone" she said.
'But they would learn about these
festivities" protested her husband, and
I should not like to offend Them"
How can they hear about the dance,
papa" urged Victoria. "Do you think
that Lady Rosamund is going to march
down Mincing Lane believing our socie-
ty news ?''
flush, Victoria !'' said her mother;
<'ladies do not below"
''Nor do they dance with corn mer-
chants and young men who sell qui
nine," said that satirical puss, Miss
Alexandra Mayne, siding with the
naughty instincts of her sister. Need
less to say, papa was routed at every
point. The number OF people whose
names were set aside for the dinner
t'when we were alone" far exceeded
that of the more fortunate chosen. in
fact, the party list dwindled down in it's
expurgated form to very tiny proper
tons, and the family council of war
agreed that since mamma was SO init
mate with Lady Rosamund, and since
Lady Rosamund took such an interest
in mamma. her ladyship should be
asked to invite those friends of hers
whom she would ike TO meet. as uSu-
al, Lady Rosamund was more than ami
able. Mr.. Mayne's additional donation
pleased her very much, and she
thanked his wife most heartily on be-
half of the INDECENT artisans offspring
who would presently benefit by his
largesse. This gave the opportunity re-
quired.
Certainly, my dear Mrs. Wayne;
anything to assist you or your daugh-
ters," she said in reply to the some
what timid request. "Send me the
cards, and I'll fill them in with my
mpliments. BY the way, are you
shortof men or girls ?'
both, my lady,"
VERY we'll; then I'll tell my sons to
look up some OF their friends also.
Don't forget the cards. Good-by; and
thanks again, very much"
Lady Rosamund was naturally aston