Page:New Peterson magazine 1859 Vol. XXXV.pdf/16

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PETERSON’S MAGAZINE.


Vol. XXXV.
PHILADELPHIA, JANUARY, 1859.
No. 1.


MRS. SMITH’S GREAT PARTY.

BY THE AUTHOR of “MY WIFE ECONOMY."

Mrs. Smith was dying to “get into society." Ever since Mr. Smith—they called him Smithey upon 'change—had made his lucky hit in Barnegat bonds, she had aspired to live in the West End and to figure among fashionables. When Mullins, the millionaire, failed, and retired into the country and obscurity on three thousand a year, the Smiths bid off his splendid mansion, his Axminster carpets, his gallery of pictures, and the contents of his establishment generally. They set up a carriage and bought a coat-of-arms: and then they proceeded to give a party.

“We must be very recherche, (she pronounced it rechurchy) Smithey, my dear,” said Mrs. Smith. "It won’t do to invite any of our old set."

“No, it won't do,” replied Mr. Smith, “unless we except Lucy Darcie. Her father did me more than one good turn, when I was young: and now she is an orphan." For Mr. Smith,