The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-14
THE FIRST LOAF.


THE FIRST LOAF.
An emergency at last came in my domestic ar
engagements, for which was wholly unprepared.
despite the admontory warnings of all good
housekeepers, to be prepared when such do occur,
as occur they must, in these days of help want
ing An excellent girl had gone, and her place
was supplied by one who felt, when beheld
her would never answer that description which
had induced me to engage. She stood demurely
before me, awaiting her new Instructions
"You can make some bread, Nancy. Now,
want you to sift some flour and set some rising
How shall make it! That never was my
work before, but you will tell me how, ma'am,
and can learn quick was the reply, and the
anxious, yet willing expression of her face, be-
spoke teachabe spirit, as it did also an lnexpe-
rienced hand Heavily did that answer fall upon
my ear, /" ho,p shall | make it,! y Yes, that was
the question, how! What world of experience
and power did that little word comprehend.
remember my mother talked of "seeing the
sponge, placing it in warm situation, baking it
when it was just enough raised" These snatches
Of information | we'll remembered but the right
quantity, quality, and number of ingredients, with
the just ho,o they should all be put together, was
the st unanswered question. There stood Nam
/ CIV, 8 Upon the WHOLE saidI, after moments
more important to do, we will put this matter off,
and try bakers bread, anu felt thankful for the
respite.
Days passed on.
"Cannot Fanny make bread" asked my hus-
band at last; am getting quite tired of bakers
bread"
"She shall make some !; but this is beautiful
bakers bread, George. don't know but what it
is nicer than any home bread | ever ate," | re-
,>I;o ~ -, ,dafo fok
Their slice which did not want.
There is nothing like good home made bread,
such as my mother used to make"
To the first part of this remark, did not ma
terially object, inasmuch as it secretly my
own opinion but when he suggested an equality
with his mothers bread, which nothing in his es-
timation ever excelled, felt sad shrinking of
heart at my own conscious inability of attaining it.
"May you be blessed with just such an appe-
title as you had, when boy, you ate your mothers
bread!" was my inward benediction, as he arose
to return to his afternoon business. Sometimes
thought of confessng our dilemma. Had it been
he first week of our marriage, it had all been
well; he would have smiled at my inexperence !;
but we had unfortunately been married some
time; and, however lovely ineflcency and want
Of skill may appear in lady love or bride, as
sumes quite different aspect, When not to know
is inexcusable ignorance. sob, can't do that"
could no longer be viewed in the light of maiden
timIy or delicate heplessness besides, it sa-
vored too little "of his MOTHER" who was pat
tern housekeeper. 5
But the bread must be made. | arose one
morning, feeling quite cool and courageous, and
resolved that day TO attempt it. will begin
with pearl ash bread that | am sure will be
easiest and much less trouble" So upon pearl
ash bread was decided.
With what deep and earnest interest did pre-
pare my flour. milk, and pearl ash, With what
anxiety did mix these important ingredients to-
gelher. ." will have pearl ash enough" thought
l. IL am determined it shall be light and
another spoonful was added. The bread was
made, the pans were ready, the fire kindIed, and
at last it was satisfactorily in the wel-heated
oven. | took my seat beside the stove to watch
its progress. How anxious was | to see it rise.
How readily did remember the round, plump
aspect of my mothers leaves. Time passed on,
and DESPITE my watchful inspection and ardent
Wishes it was still fiat, fai, fiat 1t grew beau
tifuy brown, but there 1t lay, SO de'nure, so I'M
as firing. -.
On er came and my husband walked in with
a friend or two to dine, as, in the hospitality OF
mis- heart, he often did | extended welcome
hand, but am sure my burnt face and disqneted
look were te-tales of heart not particularly
glad to see them. .4
We sa, oyn to table the mackerel was well
broiled, the potatoes well done, the butter melted
but tho bfead--the bread the article above all,
which my husband considered most important,
which he considered indispensable to be good
it was handed ,ound--he took slice it certainly
did not resemble bread thickly studded as il was
with little brown spots of undissolved pearl-ash
and then how it tasted; strange mixture OF salt
and bitter, which was altogether unbearable. MY
husband looked surprised and mortified, and how
did not feel !" Is there no other = he looked