The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-07-28
HIS SURPRISE PARTY

The village of Meredith was seven
miles from the Darlington home
stead. and it was quite an event i'll
the lives of the Darlington women
when thew could manage to secure
a horse to take them SO long a
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
reason to go beyond the gate at the
end OF the lane. There were other
farm houses near, to be sure, but
Mr.. Darlington was opposed to
"havin" his wife and darters CAD
about to ali the neighbors, and as he
was very inhospitable when visitors
did appear everybody fell into the
habit of letting the Darringtons
severely alone.
1t was hard life for the mother
and her two daughters, but they
bore their lot uncomplaininglY and
toiled on from day to day with no
hope Of OF change. 1t is said that
there is a time when patience ceases
to be a virtue, and l think in the
case of the Darlington women that
time had arrived when the father
positively refused to have company
invited to the house Think | want
all my hardearned wittles ct up by
strangers? he asked, with a scowl,
and that settled the qustion. Firm
and decided opposition on the part
of the women would have won for
them an easier life, for the old man
was weak when a strong will was set
against his, but they had never tho't
of crossing father, SO he became
more tyrannical as his years i'll
creased.
One morning, when Mr.. Daring
ton announced his intention Of driv-
ing to the village, Kate timidly
ventured a request that she be allowed
to accompany him; her Uncle John
kept store in Meredith and she
not seen that store for ten months.
Tain't Necessary, the father answer
ed, testify; if you want anything I'll
git it. You've got enough work to
do in the house without gadding
around the town. I'll stop at ohns
store and if his wagon is comm past
here this mornin' I'll order him to
stop with a lot of groceries. Rob
amt goin today. It'll take me too
consarned long at the blacksmiths.
SO hope died in kate's heart, and
with sigh she returned to her
work.
lust before dinner Uncle John S
wagon stopped with the groceries.
Sophie was opening the basket 10
put the things away when she motto
ed some writing on the brown paper
that was laid over them. Why
what's this2 she cried. Father seems
to have sent US note.
Well, what does he say, child
aaked her mother, anxiously. Read
it out loud.
But before she could begin Kate
and Mrs. Darlington looked over
her shoulder and this is whal
they saw:
Go around and invite all the
nabors to spend the evening with us
and we'll have a genwin Surprise
Party. Don't forget Toms folks
Cant you make some cake?"
What can have come over father
l cant imagine, said Mrs. Darlington
looking bewlldered, but we'll have tt
do it, as he says SO.
Indeed, we'll be delighted to dc
it, cried Sophie in ecstasy. Wei
take him at his word Immediately
for fear he comes nome and change
his mind. Where's Rob- H
must do the inviting while we clea,
up and make the cake.
When Rob was informed of thi
new departure of his fathers h
Joined with the rest in Being botl
surprised and delighted. To thin
of him even asking Toms folks tha
he hadn't spoken TO for the past flv