The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-04-13
A DOG PARTY.
An Aristocratlc Affair That Wound Up
With a Whirl

With q Whtrl
Mrs. ]. Clowerson Libney sought an
opportunity to thrill society. She is a
wealthy widow; she snaps her dainty
fingers at expenses; she worships art
and adores the odd. She had attempted
number of society fads, but her re-
ward had been meager. The uncut
leaves" entertainment at her house had
rather dreary ending. Prof. n. K.
Fitzpatrick came with bundle of I'M
cut theories treating of the superstitions
and religious emotions of the Cliff Dwell
ers, and when he concluded, the guests
were gone. The Sunday newspapers
merely mentioned the affair, and Mrs.
Libney felt herself forced to turn her
wits toward another experiment Just
at this time New York newspaper,
giving an account of a dog party, fell
within her range. A dog party! How
1eliciously odd! The party had been
given by a lady high in social life. The
logs were handsomely dressed and were
attended by maids in neat caps; low
table and comfortable chairs were
made for the occasion. THAT was
charming" Mrs Libney declared. Il
will be the first to give dog party in
Chicago"
The invitations were sent out. The
day arrived. The dining-room was
yorgeously decorated. The guests
began to arrive. There were T. Phoceon
iramley, a handsome setter; Hiram
Field. fox terrier with serene cast
in one eye; Sylvester Tabb, who some
times had the manners of gentleman,
but who could not disguise the out
cropping of suggestion that away
back among his ancestors bulldog had
been prominent; Nettie Walcott, a
iainty thingin pink; Joe Francis Short,
Asnifiing pug with shalaleigh express
sion of countenance, and-well, quite a
number OF dogs we'll up in South Side
'ociety And now the feast was ready,
out where was Virginia f. Hay, belle,
charmer, u pet of devoted family?
She had been especially invited. Mrs.
Libney was greatly worried. Without
Virginia f. Hay the party could not be
\ success. The guests caught scent
Of the soup and began to howl. This
was disgraceful. Dinner was an
bounced. Sylvester Tabb insisted upon
taking place at the head of the table.
The place had been intended for Joe
Francis Short, but just as he was about
to take it Tabb lifted up the right
rim of his lip and gave him an intense
look; and Joe Francis politely
trotted down to the other end of
the table. Tabs maid gently tapped
him ON the head, but, paying no atten-
ton to her, he soused his mouth into
the soup and then ill-manneredly
sneezed on dainty Nettie Walcott's pink
gown Just at this minute Virginia Il.
Hay was announced. She was attended
by blonde maid Tabb hoped off
his chair when Virginia entered, and,
though he had never been formally
presented, capered toward her with
many an airy grace; but L. Phoceon
Blackwell, being nearer the beauty,
was first to run to her and congratulate
her upon her safe arrival. This angered
Sylvester Tabb; he trampled upon the
conventional; he roared; newell, he
grabbed Phoceon by the throat and
iowned him; he ripped double breast
ed coat into shreds; he spat out a mouth
full of lace ruff, grabbed Phoceon by the
neck and shook him as if he were a
piece of rag carpet. All was now con-
fusion; the table was upset and Mrs.
Libney and the maids were screaming.
In their excitement they sought to res
cue Phoceon, but could not. Tabb had
frightened his grip and had shut his
eyes The cook ran in and threw a
pan of hot water on Tabb. He turned
loose his hold, but instantly recognizing
that he had done SO at the expense of
his dignity, he sought again to seize
Phoceon, but that limp creature had
been taken away. just then he caught
sight of Hiram Field, and bounced upon
him 1t was disgracefuL He choked
Hiram until his eye with the serene
cast popped out The cook came back
with more hot water, but in the excite
ment Nettie Walcott caught the most
Of it.
An enormous dog from livery sta BILE
not far away trotted up and down the
sidewalk in front of the house. He
heard the battle and whined to take a
bite out of the fray
1t was impossible to restore order,
and the maids snatched up their
irabbled charges. But where all this
time was the host, Studevant Libney?
lie had engaged in a scuffle with a yell
low Japanese and had lost the most ex-
pressive part of his countenance
The enormous dog from the livery
stable trotted up and down the side
walk in front of the house.
The guests frightened and trembling.
were taking their departure, when two
Of the maids got into a fight. Pretty
soon two more entered the lists. White
caps and white aprons were thick in
the air The scene bore the appear
ance Of a snowstorm on an amateur
stage.
The big dog, with the livery stable
set Of manners, was still on the side
walk.
The maids were separated and the
party was over. Sylvester Tabbs maid,
who had received a severe scratch,
came out Of the house, carrying the I'M
happy promoter of the quarrel Sud
denly she felt shock, and then SHE
realized that Sylvester Tabb was down
L.. tho ,r,,ttar onruiptr mon for y,