Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-09-28
HIS SURPRISE PARTY.

The village Of Meredith was sew
eral miles from the Darlington
homestead, aud 1t was quite al
event in the liVesof the Darlington
women when they could manage to
secnre a horse to take them SO
loug distance. Mr.. Darlington
and his son drove to the village
every week, but the old man
thought the women folks belonged
at home and had no reasOL to 60
beyond the gate at the end of the
lane. There were other farmhOuSes
near, to be sure, but Mr.. Daring
ton was opposed to shaving bis
wife and darters CAD about TO all
the neighbors,' aud as he was very
InhOspitable when visitors did ap.
pear, every body fell into the habit
Of letting the DArringtons severely
alone.
1t was hard life for the II other
and her two daughters, but they
bore their lot uncOmplalningly and
toiled on from day to day with no
hope of a change. 1t Is said there
is time when patience ceased to
be virtue, and l think IN The
case of the Darlington women that
time had arrived when the father
positively refused to haye COM
pany inyited to tie house. "Think
l want all my hard earned witiles
ct up by strangers y be asked,
with a scowl, and that settled the
question. Firm aud decided Op
position on tue part OF the women
would have won for them an easier,
life, for the old man was weak
a strong will was set against his,
but they had never thought OF
crossing father, so he became more
tyrannical as bis years increased.
One morning, when Mr.. Oar
rington announced his intentiOn Of
driving to the village, Kate timldly
yentured request that she be al
lowed to accompany him; her
Uncle John kept store in Mere
dith and she had not seen that
store for ten mOnths.
wTaiu'L necessary the father
answered, testify; "if you want
any thing I'll git it. You've got
enough work to do in the house
without gadding around the town
Pl stop at Johns store and If bis
wagon is coming past here this
morning, IIl order him to stop
With a lot OF groceries. Rob ANT
going today. It'll take ne too con-
sarned long at the blacksmith'S.
So hoped died iu Kate's heart,
and with a sigh sue returned to her
work.
Just before dluner UncIe john
wagon stopped with the groceries
Sophie was opening the basket to
put the things away when she
noticed some writing on the brown
! ap-r that was laid over them
"Why, what's thio?' she cried
"Father seems to have sent us a
note"
"WeiI, what does he say, chlldF
asked her mother, anxlousIy
.sRead it out aloud"
But before she could begin Kate
and Mrs. Darlington look hoverer
shoulder aud this is what they
saw:
$50 around and invite all th'
nAbors to spend tie eyenin' Will
us and we'll have a genwin Sur
prise Party. Don't forget Ton
folks. Can't sou make some cakeF
"WLat can have come owe
father | can't imagine said Mrs
Darlington, looking bewlldered
"but we'll have to do it, - he sa-
so.
"Indeed, we'll be delighted to d
it, cried Sophie IN ecstay. "Wel
take him at bis word Immediately
for fear he comes home an
changes his mind. Where's Rob
He mus do the inviting while "
clean up and make the cake"
When Rob was Informed OF thl
new departure of bis fathers b
ioined with the rest in being bot
surprised and delighted. ~
think of even asking Toms folk
that be hasn't spoken to for To
last five years! / always did thin