The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-06-30
BIRDS OF AFsArHsR.

posta rs" The Duchess OF lllingstowu
7 sighed and leaned back IN her chair
q, cannot think what the world is com.
ing to, or what the poog duke would
have said"
The Dowager Duchess Of fllingstown
had only lately come over from ulngs-
town. where she had spent the last few
years In strict retirement on her Irish
property after the old dukes death,
when her son. the presept Duke Of IL
hngstown, had married. The Dowager
Duchess had made the excuse OF Wild
owhood a reason for her seclusion.
Nos. however, the young duchess hav-
ing been very III, she had consented to
come and stay with her three little
grandchildren. while her son had taken
his wife abroad
The dowager duchess, q great ano
dear friend Of my mothers. was old
fashioned in her views and belonged to
that nobler school Of dignity and gem
tlehood that one sometimes fears is be-
coming extinct-not that there Is any
real need for fear, as It is. Of course,
only the blatant and vulgar few who
apparently submerge the more retiring
and refined OF their sex.
II was a matter OF horror and amaze
ment to the dowager duchess to nnd
that several Of her younger relations
had either opened or gone into shops,
and it was this discovery which hal
elected her angry remarks TO me.
$50 many people are in trade nova
days" murmured. apologetically.
"Certainly-why n0t?" said the dow
ager duchess calmly; but they should
not expect to be in society, too"
"But they are" murmured.
They we're not in my day" said the
Duchess suuly; "and the way ley tout
for work is ABSOLUTELY scandaious. Just
look at this bundle OF letters. Here Is
Sophie actually asking me to go to her
shop and buy bonnet, and Edward
asking me to buy milk from his dairy
and the worst OF II Is that several of the
letters have been sent to the housekeep-
er. [ felt positively ashamed OF some Of
my relationships look at thisl" She
handed me another letter. II was from
Lord Ernest Illingsworth saying ne had
bought the Fresh Rosebud" laundry.
and hoped his great-aunt would give
him a turn. What an expression
sighed the duchess-then she smiled
sour but dignifled smile-"but [ think
III give them all a turn, my dear Ever
ard; tnose sort OF people want showing
their place. Just make a complete list
of them for me, ard put the different
businesses under each OF their names"
She rose with dignity and turned to-
ward the door. by the way, will you
lunch with me on Thursday at
o'clock Good-day, my dear boy" and,
smiling, she dismissed me aud slowly
ascended the great staircase. her head
erect. and her figure as upright as ever,
in spite her age.
Il was 1855 when presented myself
the following week at lllingstown
House. was shown into a small sit
ting room. and the Dowager Duchess
received me with an air OF ceremony |
chat, alas! is becoming rarer every day. |
How do you do. Everard--a fine day
sit here" She waved me TO a seat. Il
am giving a party today to some poor
people-we will see them after lunch |
con-"
The Drchess' philanthropy was a by
word on her Irish estates. but won |
dered how the innovation would suit
the younger Duchess retinue OF SER
wants; what would they think of hav-
ing the lower classes at Tllingstown
House
The Duchess was in high humor. and
had momentarily forgotten even her
anger against the wayward doings OF
the modern generation. A highly cul-
Lured woman. she entertained me with
many pungent remarks on matters OF
and It was with regret thar
arose at her intimation that ii was 2
o'clock, and her party OF people must
lave arrived. | am not very good at
)hilanthropical entertainments
The Dowager Duchess led the way 10
'ne Of the smaller drawing rooms, and
IS the footmau flung open the door,
n my amazement / almost fell over
he Duchess, for there before me, look
ng almost as astonished as L. were
Lady SOPHIA Verulem Lord ernest
liingstown Sir Edward Erinston and
everal other OF tie Duchess relations,
md standing confused and awkwardiy
bout the room were a great many ex-
remedy ul-assorted and strangely at
ired people
My aunt greeting no one in partlcn-
ar bowed graciously 10 an and stcp-
ling slowly forward. went up TO Lady
oBhie first
"How do you do, my dear Sophie
his is Mr Banks the Duchess turned
o snort fat, red-iaced man. "Yon
oubtless know my niece. Mr. Banksp
he continued, nor her shop. believe.
; on your street--hats. you sen. 90 you
ot my dear Sophie. or Is It mllkg' s
-eha aauaag nT af-- Shit er--..r. d