Godey's Lady's Book

GODEY'S LADY'S BOOK
Philadelphia, April 1850

THE SURPRISE PARTY.

BY T. S. ARUTHUR.

(See Plate.)
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MR. and Mrs. Atherton, and their two daughters, Helen and Alice, were sitting one evening in January enjoying a new book, which one of the latter was reading aloud, when a ring was heard. The reader paused, and, for a few moments, they remained listening and expectant. A servant went to the door.

" Are the ladies at home ?" was heard asked, in a man's voice.

Then a movement, as of two or three persons entering, was noticed.

" I wonder who they are ?" said Alice.

"Some one has gone up stairs," remarked Mrs. Atherton, who had been listening. " You'd better go and see who it is, Helen."

The daughter was about rising to do as her mother had suggested when one of the parlor doors opened, and a young gentleman, dressed with great care, presented himself:

" Mr. A—! How are you this evening ? I'm very happy to see you !" said Mr. Atherton, advancing to meet the young man and welcoming him cordially.

The others greeted him in return, and he then took a seat among them.

"I'm sure some persons went up stairs," said Mrs. Atherton. speaking aside to Helen.

" True. I heard them plainly." And Helen retired from the room. As she came to the foot of the stairway in the passage, she was a little ' surprised to find a light in the room which opened from the first larding, and to perceive, through the half: opened door, the figures of two or three persons moving within. She went up quickly and entered. Three young girls, intimate acquaintances were there, all tastefully dressed, and displaying a profusion of ornament.

" Why, Anna !—Jane !—Cordelia !" fell from the lips of Helen, as she grasped a hand of each in succession and exchanged salutations. Then there came a pause. Helen's countenance assumed a quick, thoughtful air; while her young visitors were full of life, and every nerve quivering in anticipated pleasure.

" Walk down into the parlors," said Helen.

" Father, and mother, and sister are there. "

As they were leaving the room, Helen's eyes rested upon the lamp that burned upon a table. It was a small, fancy, gilt lamp, and had never before been seen by her. She noted the fact, but her mind was too much excited at the moment to reflect upon so singular a circumstance.

The appearance of the three rather elaborately dressed young ladies, as an addition to the family party below, very naturally created some surprise and disturbed the mental equilibrium of those in the parlor. But the Athertons were well-bred people, and not easily thrown off of their guard by anything mal-appropos. The social circle widened with graceful ease, and the unexpected visitors of the evening were quickly made at home.

In about a quarter of an hour, the bell rang again when two more elegantly dressed young ladies, with a male attendant appeared. They were also intimate acquaintances and joined the company in the parlor in that familiar " of course" kind of a way that mystified the Athertons, who by this time, began to fear that some misunderstanding had taken place, likely to produce unpleasant and mortifying results. But, as before said, they were well-bred people, and manifested no signs of discomfiture or surprise .

A third addition of this kind caused Alice and Helen to retreat to their chamber, in order to give some little attention to their toilet; and Mrs. Atherton soon followed their example. While this was going on, the bell continued to ring and company to arrive every few moments; and, by the time they descended again to the parlors, a party of between twenty and thirty were assembled there, most of them particular acquaintances and all perfectly at home. Additional lights were now ordered, and things made to correspond as perfectly as possible with the suddenly changed order of affairs, and with little apparent hurry and no apologies.

A family council composed of Mr. an d Mrs. Atherton, and Helen, was now called, in order to fix upon some concerted action in so strange an emergency.

" What does it mean ?" said Mrs. Atherton, in a whisper, so soon as they were alone.

" There is some mistake," remarked Mr. Atherton, gravely.

" A very strange kind of a mistake. We've sent out no invitations to a party."

Mr. Atherton shook his head and compressed his lips.

" Somebody has taken a very unwarrantable liberty with usIfear," he remarked. " No doubt all of these persons have received regular invitations to attend a party at our house to-night and are here, as they believe, at our instance."

" Is it possible any one could do a thing like that?" said Mrs. Atherton.

" Yes. There are persons who take a strange pleasure in annoying others with practical jokes: and the greater the annoyance they can produce, the higher is their gratification. To some one of our friends, who seeks enjoyment in this ungenerous mode, we are no doubt indebted for the affair on our hands this evening. I can only say, that I have particular reasons for regretting the mode he has chosen to annoy us. But as our friends are here, innocently, we must not only do our best to entertain them, but avoid the slightest intimation that they were not expected . "

In this all agreed. While conversing, the bell was as kept constantly ringing, and party after party of guests arriving.

"I wonder how many more are coming?" remarked Mrs. Atherton, as she listened to a mingling of several voices in the passage' after the street door had been again opened

" It will be a large party, without doubt," replied Mr. Atherton; "for when an affair of this kind is gotten up' it is rarely a half-way piece of work."

" We will have to procure refreshments," said Helen.

" Certainly. The company are here upon our invitation, as they suppose, and we must give them a suitable entertainment."

" It is too late to provide a regular supper," suggested Mrs. Atherton.

" Yes; that is now out of the question. We shall have to confine ourselves principally to cake, wine, fruit, and confectionery."

" And make a pretty liberal order for that, if the company continues to assemble much longer at the present rate," said Mrs. Atherton.

Her husband did not answer to the remark, but suppressed a sigh that was throwing itself involuntarily from his bosom.

" We must decide this matter soon," suggested Mrs. Atherton.

" Yes. In half an hour or so, we will be able to make some estimate of what will be wanted. Then I v ill send round to Parkinson an order for a ice-cream cake, and confectionery &e., for a party of a given number; and to our grocers for wine and fruits . "

This and other little matters pertaining to the entertainment being settled, they returned to the parlors and rejoined the company. As Mr. Atherton was entering the rooms, now pretty well filled, he was still more surprised than he had yet been, to hear the movement of a bow across the strings of a violin. This was repeated three or four times, and then a familiar air came from the instrument and there was a movement in concert on the floor. In other words a cotillion had been formed; and when Mr. Atherton was able to take a survey of the rooms, he discovered a grinning negro fiddling away in one corner, and the obedient dancers threading their mazy circles in harmony with the strains he was drawing forth. Here was a new and not so easily explained feature in the affair. Who had ordered the music? That puzzled him. But, as he dwelt upon it, light came in. It was only one of the harmonious parts in the practical joke. The individual who had amused himself with sending invitations in the name of the family, had, in the name of the family, ordered a fiddler. So that, after a little reflection was explained .

Self-composed affable, and attentive, the Athertons moved amid their company with an easy familiarity, so well assumed that few could have detected, even with close observation, the restless surprise that lay beneath all.

About nine o'clock and just as they were about sending an order for refreshments, two colored men entered and bore a large basket between them through the passage into the dining-room. Here they made themselves perfectly at home. The tables in the room were set out, and covered with cloths which they had brought v with them. Upon these were arranged elegant china dishes, plates, saucers, etc., with knives, forks, and spoons.

" Well, I am confounded "' exclaimed Mrs. Atherton to her husband, as the two met in one of the chambers above for further consultation. " I don't know what to make of it."

" Nor do I," returned the husband " I confess to being entirely puzzled."

" It is plain that a supper has been ordered by some one."

" Yes, that is evident enough. "

" Wouldn't it be well to ask some questions of these colored waiters who have taken possession of the dining-room, without so much as saying by your leave ?"

" No—no," replied Mr. Atherton; " we will ask no questions; that would betray our ignorance and surprise too much."

" There is no need of our sending for refreshments . "

" None at all. Instead of considering ourselves entertainers, we may as well place ourselves among the entertained, and have no further care for anything. "

And so the Athertons acted from that time. It was in vain that efforts were made, through the most careful observation, to detect the master of ceremonies in this singular affair. No one appeared more forward than the others; but all acted in such perfect concert that it was plain to Mr. Atherton at length, that some general understanding existed among the whole party.

At eleven o'clock one of the strange waiters came up to Mr. Atherton and announced to him that supper was ready.

"Very well," replied Mr. Atherton, as naturally as if he had ordered the supper himself, and then gave notice to the company to pass into the dining-room for refreshment. A splendid entertainment had been provided, consisting of all the delicacies served up on such occasions, both light and substantial, with an abundance of choice wines and rare and delicious fruits.

It can hardly be a matter of wonder, that the continued surprise of the Athertons took away all appetite for the dainties set forth in such tempting profusion They were active and attentive to all during the gay repast, but partook of little themselves

After supper, the company went back to the parlors. A few more cotillion were danced and then they all retired. At half-past twelve o'clock the Athertons were alone The waiters who brought in the supper had removed everything, leaving scarcely a trace behind them.

" If this isn't a dream, it's the strangest waking adventure in social life that I have ever heard of," said Mr. Atherton.

" I'm puzzled entirely," added Helen. "I can't understand it at all. I never heard of such a thing. Like father I'm half inclined to think we are dreaming ''

" Who could have gotten up the affair, and carried it through so adroitly?" said Mrs. Atherton "I tried, all the evening to detect some one a little more officious than the rest, but was not able to do so."

" It was well managed, to say the least of it, remarked Mr. Atherton; " but, being a practical joke, the enjoyment was all on the side of the jokers—I say jokers, for it seems to me, now." that it was a concerted thing; and that all present understood each other perfectly."

" Do you think so ?" exclaimed Alice, striking her hands together in sudden surprise

" So it presents itself to me."

" You've guessed right, without doubt," said Helen, as a light went over her face. " Now I can understand a good deal that puzzled me. Well, as you say, it was handsomely managed."

" But, as I said still farther. the enjoyment was all on one side. We had none of it, I believe."

" It was no pleasure to me," remarked Mrs. Atherton, seriously. " My heart was in a flutter all the evening, and it required a constant struggle to keep my real feelings from coming into manifestation . "

" That was my own ease," added Helen. " Surprise took away all my pleasure. There has been a pressure on my bosom all the evening, and I am still unable to breathe freely."

Alice tried to express what she felt on the occasion, but her lips quivered and tears came into her eyes. Mr. Atherton, seeing this, remarked—

" Ah, well, my children let us try and forget the whole affair, or think of it with as little feeling as possible. If it has given others pleasure, let us be content with that."

" I have felt a sense of humiliation all the evening," said Alice, who recovered immediately her self-possession. " No one who had a proper respect for us could have committed a social outrage like this—I call it by its real name."

" It was certainly an indelicate invasion of a man's household. An intrusion within the family circle that nothing can justify," replied Mr. Atherton, seriously. "And Alice suggests truly, that, in the minds of the author or authors of the affair there must have been a want of a proper respect for our characters and position. This is self-evident I have felt it all the evening."

" And so have I, most keenly," remarked Mrs. Atherton. " Suppose," she added, " that we had just received intelligence e of the death of a near relative, or were in some serious trouble? How much deeper would our affliction or trouble have been.

" Or suppose," said Mr. Atherton, " I were embarrassed in business, and a creditor happened to go by and discover that I was entertaining a large and gay company would it not prejudice him against me, and put me in great danger ?"

Mr. Atherton spoke feelingly.

" It was wrong viewed in any light," remarked Mrs. Atherton " Wrong—wrong Pleasure is well enough in its place; hut when it becomes an intruder and boldly invades the family circle the act is nothing less than an outrage "

Such was the state of mind produced in the family upon which had been played off the practical joke of a compulsory party, for the amusement of a set of thoughtless young men and women whose knowledge of human nature was too limited to teach them a decent respect for the sacred seclusion of the home circle .

On the evening of the party, a middle-aged man was passing slowly along the street in the neighborhood of Atherton's residence The sound of music and gay voices fell upon his ears, and he paused to listen .

" Ah, ha !" he muttered to himself, as he moved on again. " A party ! Yes—yes. Well, I thought he had something else to think of besides parties. And I suppose he has. But—extravagant wife and daughters Yes, that's the secret. Hum—m—m. Well if this is the game to be played, a check-mate had better come now, than when there are only a few pawns on the board."

And thus he went muttering on his way.

On the next morning when Mr. Atherton went to his store, he found a note on his desk. It was in these words:—

"Dear SIR I find, on reflection, that I cannot make the arrangement about which we conversed a day or two ago. Yours, &e.,

" D. ADAMS."

Mr. Atherton immediately became agitated. The reason is soon explained. Two or three heavy losses had crippled him in business, so far as present resources were concerned and he had applied to this Adams for aid in his extremity. Adams had the fullest confidence in Mr. Atherton, and at once determined to ' put him through as he expressed it. He was himself a large creditor, and had already partly agreed to extend his own notes, as well as to make liberal loans. But he had suddenly, and, to Mr. Atherton, unaccountably changed his mind. Thee promised arrangement could not be made.

Fully confiding ding in Adams, Mr. Atherton had sought aid in no other quarter. No wonder that he was agitated v. hen it is known that he had nothing in bank, while notices for the payment of over five thousand dollars in drafts and bills, due that day, were Lying on his desk. It took nearly an hour for the almost paralyzed mind of Mr. Atherton to come back to its usual state of vigor and activity. At first, all became dark and hopeless; for he had no borrowing facilities, having in the conduct of his business always preferred keeping it within his own control. But his extremity was great, and it would not do to fold his hands in inactivity and let swift destruction fall upon him So, after a good deal of earnest thought, he went to work with in spirit, and before one o'clock was in possession of the required amount of money. In obtaining it, however, he had been compelled to make some heavy sacrifices. But this was overcoming only the first difficulty in a way crowded with impediments and, with each succeeding day, he found himself more and more embarrassed and crippled.

About a week subsequent to the party which we have described, a young man named Bonnel, who had only a short time before commenced business, came into the store of Mr. Adams, and, with much concern in his face, said—

"Have you heard about Mr. Athertom ?"

" Nothing very particular. What's the matter?"

" I'm told that his paper was laid over to-day."

"Ah ! I'm sorry," replied Mr. Adams, evincing much regret. " But it is what I have expected."

" It is ! I never dreamed of such a thing.Ithought him one of our soundest men. "

" So he has been. But he's met with heavy losses of late."

" I wish I had known that," said Bonnel, looking very grave

Why ? Does he owe you ?"

" Yes. I sold him a pretty heavy bill week before last. "

" I'm sorry for that."

" Do you think it v. ill be a bad failure ?'~

"I cannot tell. I have always had great confidence in him; but that has become slightly impaired.Iknew he was in difficulties and was about helping him through them, when a circumstances occurred that made me decline doing so. I felt that there would be too much risk. The fact is, his family are too gay and extravagant."

" I never heard that charged upon them," said Bonnel; " and I know them intimately."

" It's no good sign," replied Adams, " for a merchant, who is crippled in his business through heavy losses, to indulge in large and costly parties."

" Atherton has not done so. "

" Beg your pardon. I happen to know that a large party was given at his house not over a week since. I was about affording him all the assistance he needed; but, when I saw that, I felt bound, in justice to myself, to decline an arrangement that might involve me in loss."

" And was that your only reason for refusing aid?" said Bonnel, in surprise.

" It caused a train of reflections in my mind, that led naturally to the decision formed. "

" You were unjust to him, Mr. Adams," said Bonnel, firmly.

" Show me my error," was calmly replied.

" Mr. Atherton did not give that party."

" It was at his house."

" No matter. He had no more to do with getting it up than you had. It was a surprise party."

" And, pray, what is that ?"

" Did you never hear of a surprise party ?"

" Never."

" Indeed ! They're quite the rage this winter. The particular friends of some family arrange to give them, or rather, compel them to give a party. They fix upon the night—the family being kept in total ignorance of the fact—and go, with their own music and refreshments, and take them by surprise. The greater the astonishment and confusion of the family, the greater the enjoyment of those who go. I planned the party at Atherton's; and, I can assure you, it was a most delightful affair."

" It may have been fun to you; but, like the frogs in the fable, it was death to them," said Mr. Adams, seriously.

"How so?" asked Bonnel.

" You placed them in a false position, and forced upon them the disadvantage of a wrong judgment. On that very day, I had made up my mind to put Mr. Atherton through. I had made up my mind to fully confided to me his difficulties and I had resolved to help him over them. But, in passing his house at night, I was surprised to find him giving a large party. For a man in his position to indulge in party-giving, was not the thing, in my estimation. It didn't look well. Something is wrong there, said I to myself. And my final conclusion, upon which I acted, was to risk nothing with him."

" Can this be possible ?" exclaimed Bonnel, exhibiting much distress.

"It is true, as I tell you."

" I did not dream of such a consequence It was but a piece of innocent sport on our part," said Bonnel.

" It was a liberty," replied the merchant, severely, " for which there is no excuse on any ground. I can scarcely conceive of a greater social outrage than the one you have indulged. Suppose intelligence had been that day received of the death of a near relative; or some family trouble was oppressing the minds of all; how greatly would your untimely sport have increased the pain they were suffering. Knowing, as I do, the state of Mr. Atherton's mind on that occasion, I can well understand how rudely jarred it must have been. But that is nothing to the disastrous consequences which have followed. Ruin has been the result.

An honest man has been stricken down in the midst of his business career. It is some satisfaction," added Adams, bitterly, " that you, who confess yourself the author of this wrong are involved in some of the consequences It will teach you a lesson that may be useful to you hereafter."

As he said this, he turned partly away from Bonnel, who, feeling offended left his store.

The struggle upon which Mr. Atherton entered, proved too much for him. Alone, he could not contend successfully with his difficulties. After a day of anxious effort he found himself unable to meet the notes and drafts which fell due, and the hour of three came with his obligations still in bank. Up to that time he had been in a state of deep distress and agitation But, when three strokes upon the clock sounded the knell of his broken fortunes and further effort was vain, a calmness fell upon his mind and he awaited, with a sort of stoicism, the appearance of the notary, into whose hands his dishonored paper would be given for protest. The notary came and went. That ordeal, a deeply trying one, was passed. His reputation as a merchant was now blasted. The apple of his eye had been touched. But he had borne the pain with a heroism that surprised even himself.

This trial past, visions of future meeting with creditors began to form themselves in his mind, and his sensitive feelings were already beginning to shrink painfully in anticipation, when he saw Mr. Adams enter his store.

"I am told that your paper has laid over to-day," said the latter, as he took the hand of Mr. Atherton.

" You've heard aright. The notary left me but D little while ago."

" For what amount have you been noted ?"

" Thee thousand dollars."

" How much more will you need to carry you through ? "

"Not less than ten thousand dollars."

"You shall have it, Mr. Atherton. I labored under a false impression regarding you, when I declined the arrangement you wished to make a week ago. Here is the money you need to-day." And he drew forth his pocket—book as he spoke. " Get your paper out of the hands of the notary before he can protest it. To-morrow I will see you and arrange the rest."

Before Mr. Atherton could recover from his surprise, and express his grateful feelings, Adams had turned from him and was leaving the store. On the next day all was arranged as had been promised and the merchant who ho had been on the very brink of ruin, and actually falling over, was saved.

That was the last affair of the kind in which Bonnel ever engaged; and the last inflicted on the Athertons. It had like to have proved more than a simple Surprise Party to them.

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