The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-02
GAVE A TOMBSTONE PARTY.
E"Snrics of IA Woman Author in n
New England village.

New England Village.
From the New York Sun.
New York literary genius is below par
IN one New England town. Early in July
a new boarder appeared at the house
Of the postmisress. The town does not
boast a hotel and a strangA is an exciting
rarity-also an object of legitimate curios-
ity and speculation. Fortunately, in this
case information was to be had for the
| asking. The postmistress having by vir
Tue OF ner calling a profound interest in
her helghbors affairs, appreciated tire
state OF mind into which they were thrown
by the advent of her boarder and charit-
ably consented to tell them all she knew
Possibly her pride in the fact that she
harbored the distinguished parsonage un-
der her roof added to her zest in telling
the story; and it wasn't Two hours after
the bus deposited its MESSENGER at thu
postmistress door before an the village
knew mat an author was in town The
postmlstress must have been expeditions
or the author communicative for during
the same two hours the VILLAGE learned
that the stranger had written two books
and number of short stories and that she
mad come away from New York to this
quiet spot IN order that she might escape
from her fame and write a new novel
without being interrupted by clamoring
admirers and publishers fighting for the
yet unWritten book
Not being in the writing or publishing
business themselves. the villagers accent
ed the explanation and showed such rro-
found respect for the authors privacy
that she finally became exceedingly bored
by her own society Moreover. her artis-
tic conscience troubled her She felt that
she ought TO be amassing copy and study
ing rural types so she began to make
ddVA to her
understood that she was really willing
to be known they responded readily
enough. They were as anxious to study
her as she was to study them, and the
consensus of opinion about her was that
she was terribly queer, but not uppity."
To be sure she had strange Ideas about
things and her conduct wasn't always in
line with what was considered becoming
in the village; but then every one under
stood that some concessi ons must be made
to genius.
The president of the reading circle was
the first to call upon the celebrity-urged
on to the deed by the other members Of
the circle. Her reception was encouraging
so others plucked up heart Of grace. and
soon the visitor was fully launched into
village society. She was invited to teas
and sewing bees and dinners and social
evenings, and the villagers became used
to her startling theories and more start
IlllS ulCltlO0 VI Infringing neF pack DAtr
and felt that life would be a trifle dull
when New York reclaimed its own and
there was no author for them to watch
and criticise.
A week or two before her departure the
celebrity said 10 the postmstress:
Miss Sarah, the people here have been
so nice to me that l think I'd like 10 en-
terrain them In some way"
Miss Sarah gasped and furtively look
ed through the window measuring with
her eye the distance to the nearest neigh
boris.
would you be willing to get up a very
nice supper for me? OF course, ia pay
for everything and give you whatever you
thought right for your extra work"
Pm sure I'd be glad to do it," said
Miss Sarah.
That's nice, I'd like to give something
unique and out of the ordinary. 1 must
think of something that will surprise
them" said The authoTess, with the look
usually reserved for the moments devoted
to her immortal novel. Then the house
went into committee of the whole and
discussed a supper menu. The celebrity
evidently intended to do the thing hand
someIy. Miss Sarah grew absent-minded
and fidgetted, and finally pleaded a press
ing engagement. a moment later her
angular figure flew across the street to
the nearest neighbours, and before noon
all the town was agog over the coming
festivity. Every day fresh details famed
the flame. The celebrity had sent away
for bonbons and cakes; the sandwiches
were to be rolled up and tied with RIB
bon; there were 60 be cards, with pic
lures and poetry on them, at every plate.
But as to the real nature of the entertain
ment nothing was known and curiosity
was rife. OF course, it would be some
New York novelty, and expectation ran
high.
Just week before the August full
moon members of village society were in
receipt of dainty notes which invited them
to attend a tombstone party at II on the
night of full moon." and further requested
that each guest should be prepared to tell
a ghost story, or at least some thrilling
and blood-curdling tale
Every one was aghast, but curiosity was
stronger than dismay. A few of the older
folks said they wouldn't go to no such
fool party" but the rest thought of the
supper and the young folks wouldn't have
stayed away for love or money.
When the fateful night came round and
the guests presented themselves at the
door they were met by the postmistress,
who, with many whispered comments, led
them out of the side door, along a path
through the grove to the old graveyard.
There in the moonlight among the
tombs, was the hostess; and rugs and seats
we're scattered about between the graves.
The celebrity was in great feather. She
was charmed with her idea and only wish
ed that her New York friends could be
with her instead of the villagers, who
might not appreciate the artistic morbid