Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-02-26
THE SOUTHWICKS.

worth S450,N0.
The inheritance was so unexpected that
for some time it was difficult to believe
that he, a humble grocer, was the posses
sor of a fortune greater even than that of
his boyhood dreams
-Four hundred 8ul fifty Thousand dol
lars! What'll W, do with all that money!"
he said to his wife.
Sophronia Southwick, equal to any
emergency, from weighing "A Goldfish to
making up the monthly accounts, was
never at a loss for an idea.
1--WE must go into society,"" she promptly
replied.
Society shouted Leander. What do
we know about society"
"Now, Leander, it's ridiculous for you to
speak in that strain. You know that none
of those rich New Yorkers-and believe
there are 400 of them-know any more
about society than we do"
But they had some education, hadn't
they?'
Yes; but can't we get education as well
us they2"
"How do you propose to get it?'
81 propose to 90 to one of those semina-
ries.'
"Go to a seminary!' shouted her hus
band. "Why, you're too old"
''Too old, Leanderl Why, I'm not TWEEN
ty-three, and you told me this morning
that ! didn't look more than eighteen!''
S%outhwick of course saw the absurdity
of his wife's position, but realizing it was
useless to try to dissuade her, relaxed his
efforts and finally acquiesced in her deci
sion.
"By Jovel She's a dandy DO You sup
pose Bert'l have the first dance with her
at the next reception"
81 don't know about that. | think if
you wanted to you could cut Bert Fair
banks out"
The speakers were two seniors of Stan
ford seminary at Ephcsus, y. II. Stanford
is IL boarding school for both sexes, and
takes high rank among coeducational in
situations.
But, strange as it may appear, its more
than local renown is derived from its sheet
and pillow case parties.
At these parties the young ladies' faces
are masked, their forms are draped with
sheets arranged in Greek fashion and their
heads are envcloped in pillow cases.
What makes the parties especially en-
loyahle is that they are not previously an
nounced For not until the sheeted forms,
like a troop of ghosts, file into the concert
hall are the young men aware that the
monthly reception has been varied.
The presence OF "A new girl" adds IA bit
Of sensation to IA Stanford reception. 1t
was a new girl" of whom the two seniors
were speaking.
She was tall and slender, of graceful
figure and of fair complexion. Her blue
eyes sparkled under long lashes, and a per
feet Roman nose gave her an air of supe-
rior intelligence.
H., ,,,+ .a-elat,1r I G an+ ra,n1l odd
was capable of the sweetest smile, although
its general expression was one of mischief.
Such was the Sophronia SOuthwick of
Stanford-a decided improvement on the
Sophronia Southwick of rural Northrop.
by AN inadvertence on the part Of the
secretary, coupled with Sophronia's love of
mystery, she had been registered as Miss
instead of Mrs. Southwick.
Leander Southwick was not an adept in
killing time, therefore, after Sophronia's
departure he had sufficient time on his
hands to furnish him with IA problem more
perpleXing than the distribution of his
suddenly acquired wealth. Letters from
Ephesus somewhat broke the monotony of
his life.
One especially delighted him. He tore it
open and read with avidity.
1t was n breezy epistle, aud in it Sophro.
mia disclosed in gushing language the
secret of the sheet and pillow case diver
sion.
It's going to be awfully jolly" she
wrote, Not a soul will know us. That
mole on my right hand, by which you could
AWAY, tell me when we went to the mas
querades, hasn't been noticed here, think,
How wish you could be here"
Have you asked her YETI"
mo, | thought I'd better wait till she
came up"
"Bnt suppose Fairbanks has asked herr"
"Oh, don't believe he's got the nerve.
Besides, Miss Southwick dosen't care for
him, anyway"
This dialogue between Clarence Whitney
and Chef Tufts took place near the plat.
form of the concert hall in Stanford semi
nary.
About twenty other boy students were
present, and by and by, as the orchestra
began to tune up" the townspeople
iocked in.
When the s o'clock bell rang the settees
were filled and a great crowd was about
The door which led to the girls corridor.
An OH of delicious surprise came from
the assembled crowd AS the sheeted forms
filed in.
The orchestra struck up "A march and
Tufts almost instantly took unto himself a
partner.
Whitney prepared to do likewise
But simultaneous with Whitney, a man
not a student and apparently a stranger
seized IA shapely hand which hung from q
gracefully shaped sleeve.
Il beg your pardon" said Whitney. glar
ing at the stranger.
IL beg your PARDON replied the stran
ger, with considerable feeling,
To this Whitney impatiently retorted:
Excuse me, sir, but | nave this lady anC
mean to keep her"
You mean to keep her, do your DO you
Enow who sba isl This woman is my wife
you puppy"
"Wifel' exclaimed the bystanders.
"Ohl" groaned several, while the sheet
sd form shrank toward Whitney.
One tall form pushed its way through
the crowd to hear the stranger declare;
This woman il my wifel"