The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-12-26
TURNING A NEW LEAF.
A New Years Story.

tress of the Shelly Farm for only a
few short months; but long enough,
after all, for every one in the neigh
borhood to have an opinion of John
Berries second wife.
She dressed finer than his first wife
did-most second wives do-she spent
more hours at the piano, and seemed
several degrees more aristocratic than
the first Mrs. Berrie.
1t was an honored custom, reach
ing back to the stouter branches OF
the ancestral tree, for the owner of
the Farms to give New Years din
ner to the countryside; and each
guest was invited to come and "turn
new leaf for yearly luck"
Of course, it was the first" and
not the Seconds" or thirds" as
the shippers say, who enjoyed these
annual feasts and usually, they be-
gan several weeks before to plan
"what to wear" This year it SEEM
ed necessity to be little more par
ticular about the cut of gowns and
width of trimmings, for the new Mrs.
Berrie was a lady of means in her
own right, and dressed elaborately.
1--WE must make an impression, !"
said Mrs. Wilton, decisively, "and
she must feel that our presence is an
honor to the Farms. l intend to
have new silk; a regular dinner
party dress
And so the 'frsts" planned to sur
pass all former efforts, for the sake of
profound impression therefore, by
the middle of December a score of
lovely new gowns were the pride of
as many ambitious feminine owners.
The mistress of Shelly Farms was
affable and gracious to all, and the
tony "frsts" were just dying to dis
play their rich costumes in her honor.
But for some unaccountable reason
the invitations were tardy.
Could it be possible that the second
wife was one of those new women,
who would, at one fell swoop, elimi-
nate the annual dinner? And would
John Berrie stand that?
In sheer desperation of suspense,
Mrs. Goldwaite was delegated to call
at the Farms, ostensibly to speak of
philanthropic movement, but really
to scent the New Year festivities and
overdue cards.
Mrs. Berrie received her visitor
very courteously and pleasantly, and
supported the philanthropic idea en-
thusiastically, even graciously accept
ing the presidency of the society when
they should organize. But when the
conversation drifted into holiday news
the caller could not, by any tact,
draw out the BRIDES plans concerning
New Years day. Exasperated, Mrs.
Goldwaite suddenly let go skirmish-
ing and asked her, point blank, ''if
the Farms would give the annual
dinner this year"
20, certainly" answered the new
wife, her face lighting up with pleas
ure, husband and have been plan
ming for that some time. The invi-
tations are late, but Mr.. Berrie could
not help me until today, and, of
course, am not we'll enough acquain-
ted to get the names alone. We shall
send them this week, however, and
1 shall enjoy the new leaf turning
with my neighbors exceedingly"
This information was what Mrs.
Goldwaite had talked philanthropy
for two full hours for, and she took
her leave, feeling that she was hero
inc of the first water. But Mrs. Ber-
rie accompanied her caller to the front
gate in her eagerness to talk more
about the movement. ''It is to
elevate the toilers. / understand"
she said, "and to get in touch with
our poorer neighbors?"
eyes," answered Mrs. Goldwaite,
hesitating to break up her luxurious
New Years dream by humping
against the intrusive fact that wash
women and ditch diggers occupied
the same planet together with the
''frsts."
"Yes," she repeated, "and when
we organize you will accept the presi-
dency?" and she got up an interest
ed look, almost as good as the gen.
uine.
Certainly" was the reply. II
thank you for the honor" and Mrs.
John Berrie pressed the callers hand
fervently.
The delegate was not very favora-
bly, influenced with the young wife, S
enthusiasm over the question, and the
pressure of her hand chilled, rather
than thrilled, her festive heart.
But one consoling thought ran
through it all they never would
organize" 1t was only a subter-
fuge to nose our something more SUBJ
stantial.
Mrs. Goldwaite tripped along to
the turning, where she met Mrs. Viii
ton, who reined in her ponies to ask
breathlessly: "Did you find outl"
"To be sure; it takes me to find
out," and she tossed her head in
triumph. "They will have the din
ner as usual. But Mrs. Berrie, not
being acquainted, could not write the
invitations alone; and Mr.. Berrie
could not help her until today"
20, yes p cried Mrs. Wilton,
"that accounts for it all. Well, we
are ready and will be delighted to
help turn the new leaf this year, be-