St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-05-17
A PASSING ACQUAINTANCE.

"A L III
In mountain hotel a gay group
of boarders were seated about in hall
and parlor, engaged in fancy work,
reading or light games, while a
CHEEKY fire burned brightly on the
hearth, for it was late in the season.
We are just nice party now, said
one young lady, looking up from her
laptul OF shaded silks; hope nobody
else will come.
Except TO fill up vacancies as we
drop off, said gentleman as he laid
aside his letters. You will see two
vacant chairs at the table tomor-
row.
Very well, was the reply. If you
must go, we will spread ourselves
and keep the table full. II we can't
have Mrs. Bruce and you we don't
want any one.
The next morning the home bound
travellers lett on the early stage, and
and at the last moment another
guest decided to accompany them.
The party remaining went out,
some to rambe in the pine woods,
some to the concert in the casino.
Returning toward dinner time, they
found that telegram had been re-
ceiyed from Miss Ml1cent Paul, be-
speaking a room. There was a
shout OF delight on reading the tele.
gram. Milicent Paul was known to
some OF the party, and two of them
had been her schOolmates at fash.
ionabIe seminary three years before.
Mllcent will be the roSeleai on our
cup of happiness, said one; and how
fortunate that there is room for her
at our table.
The dinner bell rang, and the merry
group betook themselves to the din
ing room. Two chairs were turned
down at the table.
Who has come? the guests inquired
Of one another.
As they took their seats, man
and his wife entered. in hesitating
manner, and were given the TWO
chars. Swift glances were directed
at them, and side looks exchanged.
They were evidently plain, hare
working people, entirely unaccus
toned to travelling and to hotel life
In an instant the original party be
came a clique, They hardly con
ceaIcd their dislike OF the new corners
who mad brought among them t
personality that Jared on all their
seu>r OF what was stylish, conven
uonal and agreeable. Inc two
strangers ate heartily, helped them
selves to what they wanted, finished
their meal and lett The table before
the rest OF the company had reached
their nuts and ralSins.
Dad you ever? ! call it an outrage
forcing such people on us. Theplow
man had better stay at home anC
pIow. HIS hands took away my
appetite. hope they are not going
to stay over night.
The offending couple spent the al
ternoon walking about to see the
views, and then sat out on the piazz;
TIL supper time. After supper TIL
criticism recommended.
They're going to stay. Thei
trunk has gone up TO No. IA. Wha
will Mllcent say? She will have tc
SIT next TO them. She'll freeze then
with one glance when she sees tina
hand reaching in front of her tor tn
butter.
"a, come now said the brother o
the last speaker; YOU knew the,
needed the butter, and you shoulC
have passed it, seeing the waiter wa
not ON hand.
Hush! I'm too provoked for any
thing. We were such a nice part.
I'LL those folks pushed in. And whe
MlIlcentis coming too? 1t just spoil
the table.
Next day, while the newcomer
we're out, Milicent Paul arrived
AMID the welcoming exclamations G
her friends. She was a tall, slende
girl with an animated countenance
laShlonahly dressed, carrying gol
eyeglasses, and holding her hea
aIolt IN a way peculiarly her own
one mad p,enty to say, said it wei
ana was at once the centre OF every
thing.
AT dinner time she took the vacan
seat, and was just receiving herplat
VI soup, when the much criticise
couple came in. The guests were a
consciously watchful, but Miss Par
seemed to notice nothing. She wa
giving a vivid description of he
Journey. Suddenly she paused an II
slant.
beg your pardon, She said, pleas
antly, as her embarrassed neighbo
attempted, rather wardly, t
: ;h the salt, and placing it CONVEX
ton,
May | trouble you for the pepper
sue asked him little later not blac
prefer white. Thank you. An
sue spoke in exactly the same tone
as When she asked handsome yonn