New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-21
XII


At s, on the afternoon before the Fourth. our
guests arrived. They came from town on the
Charlotte, and we watched them Madam, Julie
and / from Madam's glass door as they crossed
the lawn. to the house from the river. Madam
was greatly excited. and had been so all day,
demanding more attention than usual although
she knew was very busy experimenting the
new servants and arranging sleeping quarters
for the coming party The drawing room had to
serve as a bedroom, for the nonce. Three cots
had been put up there, and the large bedrooms
were to be crowded. Mr.. Erranu had assured
me that the men would consider every dis
comfort in the light Of a frolic Later rooms
were TO be fitted up in the gardeners house, for
any overflow. Claude grumbled to me in conf
dence that he should Just Dump EN- in the sty.
the whole kit and Doodle of 'em. Miss Dean. the
fitting place for pigs. amt it?"
The men, fifteen in all, accompanied by their
handsome host, came laughing and talking up
roariously, toward the house. a fashionably clad.
red faced, noisy crowd. The afternoon was
hot, and, judging from appearances cooling
drinks had been freely resorted TO by these very
jolly gentlemen.
Pull in the blind door. julie Vite. ma file!
They advance rapidly. and I would not be
SEEN" said Madam. shrinking back as her sons
guests drew near.
unobserved- AS they crossed the veranda and
entered the hall noticed that in one way they
resembled eacn other closely They were all
sporting men. This was a look I knew we'll
having learned it in my childhood.
Ma fol but they are handsome-ces mes
sieurs!' exclaimed Julie, watching them eagerly
eyes shining, cheeks aiame
As she spoke, three whom I thought especially
disagreeable looking were directly in front Of
our door; a large man. resembling a buffalo
with his chunky shoulders and heavy beard
one middle sized, whose vacuous. white face was
pitted and SCARED; and a short. young fellow
whose retrousse nose. mop of black curls and
fercely waxed mustaches gave him an odd like
ness to a French poodle. These three excited
jules particular admiration.
They handsomep' cried Madam. they hand
some! Look, then, at Philip thy master! A
god among satyrs! A crowd of dissipated. chat
tering chimpanzees! Take me away, JuIie-look
not upon them, Athena! 7 detest thern-noisy
buffoons-wicked men-pahr'
Dinner was over. had had mine in my room.
On my way downstairs I heard the men noisiIy
leaving the dining room and entering the hall.
I drew back not wishing to be seen on the grand
staircase and was turning TO retrace my steps
when curiosity impelled me to peep through the
banisters at the scene below. The stately
beauty OF the hail. with its richly colored fur
nishings made fitting background for the
master of the house. AS he stood. surrounded
by his guests. in the soft light shed by the
nlyriads of lamps and candles. he might have
been an Eastern prince receiving the homage Of
some Western embassy. He was magnifcently
handsome. Beside him most of the men looked
coarse. i'll shaped or washed out.
"A song. Errant g song!" cried the man who
was like poodle
Yes. yes" was heard on every hand; give US
a song 10 cheer"
Sing. sweet bird" called one
"Of Love only. singr' quoted another. and
here's the boy TO play your accornpa nirnent'
and the speaker, laying his hands on the shoul-
ders of a blond young man, playfuIly pushed
him toward the piano.
It was Randall st. John. He was flushed. and
looked less weary of life than usual. Philip
Joined him at the piano. they consulted to-
gether, and Randall began the simple, rhythmic
prelude 10 schubert's Serenade. 1t was time for
me TO go TO Madam. but Philip began 70 sing
and remained.