The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-11-18
SUN, CECIL COUNTY, MD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER


of a snob about her own way of life.
People with three servants couldn't
understand what it was to have grand
ma picking chickens in the back hall,
and mother hurrying to get the bread
kneaded up, and Dick, in a dreadful old
jacket, doing-one didn't know what!
But towards the end of the season she
resolved, and announced to her family
with due solemnity, that the Chad
wicks must all be invited to tea. -
"Why, Of course, have them here
whenever you like" said her father,
with mans fatuous disregard of de-
tails. They were all gathered in the
sttting-room after evening prayers.
"It isn't so simple and easy as you
seem to think" returned Mary, who
was anxious that the home circle
should be impressed with the full Sc
robustness of the undertaking before
she began. "They have everything,
and 1 do want them to think that we
live like civilized beings, at least. I
have the supper pretty we'll planned
in my mind, and we can get Katie
Foley to come over and wait on fable,
guess. I've been to the Chadwicks
so many times that know just what
it's proper to have, and how to serve
the courses and all that, and l can do
the cooking as we'll as anyone. OF
course we shall have to have the table
in here"
ain here? Humbug!" interrupted
Dick. "Why not have tea in the
kitchen, as usual? It's the pleasantest
room in the house, big and airy and
comfortable, especially in summer,
when you don't cook there, anyway.
I say what's good enough for us"
"Oh, of course-you'd ask Mrs. Chad
wick to cut bread and cold sausage
standing UP in the pantry, I dare say"
retorted Mary, whose temper was not
proof against opposition; however, as
this is my party, not yours"
"And the lounge, and the sewing
machine, and grandma's work table.
and my desk will all have to be logged
out into the shed. ! suppose, and the
big table squeezed in?" pursued Dick.
Exactly; now do be quiet. shall
take them up to my room when they
come" she went on to her mother, Civ
ing Dick decided cold shoulder. "It
looks so nice since I stained the floor
andfixed up adressingtable. Then they
can amuse themselves little while in
the parlor while we get tea dished up
Kate is too stupid to be trusted with
anything.
"I'll amuse 'em, never you fear" put
in grandma, who was remarkable old
lady and q great conversationalist.
Goodness, grandma" began Mary;
she caught her fathers eye and went
on in modified tone. "Of course
mean you to come in, and hope you'll
enjoy yourself, but please don't go off
into one of your endless stories about
people and things that they don't
know anything about. Remember
they're strangers here, and not alb
sorbingly interested in the Hawkeses
and the Billingses. Now about the in
vitations, mother. ! thought I'd have
written ones, in the third person:
Mrs. Fairchild presents her compli-
ments-'"
Mrs. Fairchild, who had been listen
ing quietly, pushed up her spectacles at
this suggestion.
''That'd be silly" she said, with the
serene lack Of emphasis which made
her speeches very effective. "Youmust
recollect, child, that all the trouble you
take won't make 1t anything out o.
the common to them. It's proper
enough, though, that 1t should come
from me, and I'll stop'in there in sea-
son to ask 'em down."
"Oh, very well, mother" replied
Mary, little taken back by this I'M
expected conversance with the pro-
prieties. II shall have to fix up my
blue dress to wear, suppose" she
continued.
The following Thursday was the ap-
called on Monday, reported that the
ladies would come with pleasure"
Meanwhile new fea lures had developed
with surprising rapidity, until one
would have thought that at least
presidential visit or wedding recep-
tion was impending.
Seems to me it's all foolishness. her
turning things upside down and want
ing me to wear my Sunday clo'es,"
grumbled Mr.. Fairchild in private. but
Mrs. Fairchild only replied: Don't
you worry, William; all that young
folks need is a little regulating"
On Wednesday father went to mill
fora load of grist, whilemother placid
ly did her usual baking and cleaning
up" leaving, as Mary gratefully OBJ
served, an immaculate field for to-mor-
rows operations.
At four o'clock that young lady put
on the striped percale and sat down to
sew. Half an hour later, happening to
glance up, she saw four well-known
figures, in dainty attire, approaching
the gate. She turned white and then
red, and rushed to the kitchen, where
mother stood by the window sponging
q coat.
Mother, mother!" she cried. ''The
Chadwicks have mistaken the day, and
here they are, and no tea or any thing!
What on earth shall do?"
"Where are they?" asked Mrs. Fair
child. quickly.
"Just coming in. Oh, what shall we
DOR
"Why, make the best of 1t, of course;
you can't send 'em away again. Take
'em into my room to lay off their hats
yours is all cluttered up with dress
making. I expect. There! They're