The Portland daily press., 1891-11-27
NE WORE A GOWN TO BREAKFAST
How a Jolly Visitor Turned the
Tables on Some Practical Jokers.
New York Tribune. ]


"Who do you think is coming to-
night, girls?" said a pretty young hostess
Of house party of young people who
were passing week of never to be for
gotten fun and merriment in spacious
old country house on the beautiful bor-
ders of Lake M. Mamma has had
letter this morning from Johnnie s.
inviting himself for few days. I am
glad he is coming, for he is such fun;
but he did such outrageous things when
he was here last that the mater declared
he should never be asked to the house
again. wish you could have seen her
face when she received his wheedling
funny letter just now.
"She had to laugh in spite of herself,
and finally she said, We'll, suppose he
will have to come, and l only hope he
will have learned lesson and will be-
have himself must say think it was
rather cheeky to ask for an invitation
when he must have known the house
was full, but since he will come, let us
give him warm welcome And there
upon after much consultation and sup
pressed laughter a programme was ar
ranged for the entertainment of the bold
man who presented himself uninvited-
programme that might well have ap-
palled the expected guest had he known
of their intentions.
Nothing in the cordial and ladylike
welcome given to him by the young
maidens could have prepared him for
the lively reception he found awaiting
HI xryho hkr -, III
All the practical jokes that could be
thought of had been brought together
for his edification. His bed had been
arranged on the most scientific prin-
ciples of making 1t utterly impossible to
sleep in any position without making it
entirely over; his drinking water was
sailed; the sleeve and neck opening of
his robe de mutt were run together with
the sewing machine; a land turtle was
found lying in his bag, and cat sprang
out Of the closet when he opened the
door. But his final discontinue and
utter overthrow had been planned for
the morning. when he was to find his
evening clothes the only ones left to
put on for breakfast. The next morning
merry party waited expectantly in
the dining room for his advent, nor
were they kept long in suspense.
A short time after breakfast had been
announced and every one else had as
sembled, the door was flung open, and
the most extraordinary figure that had
ever been seen in that stately room
marched in. The apparition which
struck them all dumb was Johnny S.,
arrayed in one of Mrs. As most COR
geous dinner gowns-the low necked
waist and short sleeves showing his any
thing but scant proportions to the great
est advantage.
With stately step he walked into the
room, and with perfect seriousness ad-
dressed the company. GLOW fortunate,
ladies and gentlemen" he said, as soon
as he could make himself heard for the
shouts of laughter, "that found the re-
quirements suited to my needs in the
fine old fashioned wardrobe which
stands in my apartment. Some frivolous
persons" he continued, turning severely
to the giggling maidens," having re-
moved my garments, felt myself fortu-
nate indeed in being able to replace them
with this comfortable and appropriate
raiment"
So saying, with great aplomb he dis
cussed most excellent breakfast, rising
TO supply his needs from the sideboard
amid the continued filters of the COM
pany and to the utter amazement and
hopeless indignation of the dignifed
owner of the dress. 81 suppose I will
find what is needful for a change in my
room after breakfast" he asked his
hostess with the greatest politeness.,