Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-07-28
echancsbwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday July 28, 1892

said. l opposed my wife in one or two
small matters; but, my dear boy, she
nearly took my head off. l shouldn't
dare do it again
'Ah,' said I, but you must, and chat
SC decidedly that she will be convinced
that you are in earnest. Do that once
and you will meyer have any trouble
again
But how am to do it::'
'Well, let me think it over, and to-
morrow night will tell you.'
When left Mr.. Sandford's that night
I went to see Harry, and in an hour l
was on my way home with the details
Of Harrys splendid plan buzzing
through my head. EARLY the next ev
ening l was alone with Mr.. Sanford on
the front piazza.
Now, my boy SAID he, what is the
plan p
We'll, Sir | replied, 4 know Of no
better way for you to assert your au
thorlty than by giving stag dinner
party.
The old gentleman was astounded.
My dear boy, that's impossible, said
he. IF I were to invite lot of men
here to dine, Mrs. Saudford would drive
than out of the house.
Them I suggested, do it when she
is away. You know she is going to
spend three days next week with her
sister in Littletown. This is your time.
Manage the house to suit yourself while
she is away, and when she comes back
and finds fault settle the matter by in
sisting on having things your own way
The days passed with lea.len feet, but
finally Mrs. Sandford took her depart
ure ard lett her husband master of the
situation. lie Immediately began his
preparations for the dinner party, while
informed Fannie of what was going
or.
At last, on the third day alter Mrs.
Sandford had gone. the dinner party
took place. Only young men were in
vited, and we sat down at 6 o'clock in
the evening, and were soon having a
merry time.
The solids of the feast gradually dis
appeared, and we soon found ourselves
telling funny stories over our wine and
cigars. Some one proposed Mr.. Sand
ford s health, and we arose to drink 1t
standing.
At this moment the door was flung
open with bang, and who should
stalk into the room but Mrs Sandford.
For a moment she stood as if thun.
derstruck. Then. flinglng her satchel
into one corner of the room, she brought
her umbrella down with tremendous
thump upon the floor and, after gasping
for breath once or twice, screamed in a
frightened tone:
What does this mean?
'Now's your time / whispered to
Sandford.
That gentlemen drew himself up in a
dignifed manner.
1T MEANS said he, that when l wish
to invite "A party Of my friends to this
house I'm going to do it. It means
that am going to haye my own way.
WHAT IT, cried his wife. You
haYe your own way You wouldn't
know what to do with it if you hal it.
Here, you young scapegraces, out of my
house. every one Of you |!
Silence, Maria" said the old man,
endeayoring to look brave, but trem-
bling like leaf.
Silence yourselfv she cried, dealing
him blow with the umbrella that ef-
fectually destroyed his equilibrium.
Then seizlng an empty wine bottle she
brandished 1t aloft.
Clear out, she cried, every mothers
son of you +
Robbins jumped through the open
window. The other fellows scattered
like leaves before hurricane. while
Mrs. Sandford ragged about the field of
battle like a new Joan of Arc.
quietly slipped into the next room,
hoping to return and smooth matters
over when the crowd had gone.
saw that the splendid plan was a
partial failure, but I was not going to
desert my ally IN this extremity. Pres
emily L saw Sanuford arise from his un'
,djgniaed position among the empty bot.
Ties and;I entered the room with a
smile to help him face his wife. +" =.
Now. tLen,, l. She said, what does all
this nieAn?' .' - '''
Mr.. '>an'lfo,,l was as white as II sheet,
and he lbokt a from one sIie OF tile room
to tho other tlfl he catiglit sight Of me.
,, There he said, that the wretch.
It was all bis fault-!'