Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-09

in shreds from these tea parties, and
1t is doubtful If the characteristics OF
insiders escaped entirely. In fact,
these tea parties were in the large way
the result of conspiracy Of certain
unenlightened people to make life still
more uncomfortable.
Mrs. Trescott was in the circle Of
tea fighters largely through sort Of
artificial necessity necessity, In
short, which she had herself created In
a spirit of femininlty.
When the painter and his family
came for the holidays Mrs. Trescott
had for some time been feeling that 1t
was her turn to give tea party. and
she was resolved upon it, now that
she was REINFORCED by the beautiful
wife Of the painter, whose charms
would make all the other women feel
badly. And Mrs. Trescott further re-
solved that the affair should be nota-
BILE in more than one way. The paint
er's wife suggested that, as an inno-
vation, they give the people good tea.
But Mrs. Trescott shook her head. She
was quite sure they would not like 1t.
1t was an impressive gathering. A
few came to see II they could not find
out the faults Of the painters wife,
and these, added to those who would
have attended even without that at
tractive prospect, swelled the company
to a number quite large for Whilom-
vile. There were the usual prelimi-
nary jolts, and then suddenly the tea
party was in full swing and looked
like an unprecedented success.
Mrs. Trescott exchanged a glance
with the painters wife. They felt
proud and superior. This tea party
was almost perfection.
Jimmie and the angel child, after be-
Ing oppressed by innumerable admoni-
tions to behave correctly during the
afternoon, succeeded in reaching the
garden, where the stove awaited them.
They We're enjoying themselves grand
ly when snow began to fall so heavily
that it gradually dampened their ardor
as we'll as extinguished the fire in the
stove. They stood ruefully until the
angel child devised the plan Of carry
ing the stove into the stable and there,
safe from the storm, to continue the
festivities. But they were met ut the
door of the stable by Peter Washing
ton.
what you bout Jim?"
"Now-it's snowin' so hard, We
thought we'd take the stove into the
stable"
"An' have er fab in It? No, sch!
G'w'on way I'm heh.-g'w'on! Don
low no sech foolishin' round yere. No.
seh!'
7 "Wen, we amt goin' to hurt your
old stable, are we" asked Jimmie
ironically.
dat you amt, Jim! Not 80 longs !
keep my two eyes right plumb squaah
pinted at OIL jim. No, seh!" Peter be-
gan to chuckle in derision.
The two vagabOnds stood before him
while he informed them Of their in
iauities as we'll as their absurdities
and further made clear his own mas
terly grasp of the spirit of their de-
vices. Nothing affects children so
much as rhetoric. 1t may not involve
any definite presentation Of common
sense, but if it is picturesque they sur
render decently to its influence. Peter
was by all means rhetoriclan, and 1t
was not long before the two children
had dismally succumbed to him. They
went away.
Depositing the stove In the snow,
they Strengthened to look ut each 9th
er. It did not enter either head to re-
linquish the idea Of continuing the
game But the situation seemed in
vulnerable.
The angel child went on scouting
tour. Presently she returned. Pres
emily she returned flying. II know!
Let's have 1t In the cellar! In the Gel
lar! Oh, it'll be lovely"
The outer door of the cellar was
open, and they proceeded down some
steps with their treasure. There was
plenty of light. The cellar was high
walled, warm and dry. They named
1t an ideal place. Two huge cylindrical
furnaces were humming away, one at
either end. Overhead the beams deto-
mated with the different emotions
which agitated the tea party.
Jimmie worked like a stOker, and
soon there was fine bright fire In the |
stove. The fuel was Of small brittle |
sticks which did not make great deal
Of smoke.
"Now, what III we cookT cried little |
Cora. "What II we cook. Jim? We