Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-06-22
a CHAPTER ON EATIN C.
-" Hungering man,
FIetGul, il unsupplicd."


Mr. LEoNDIAs BoYD had partaken of
plentiful breakfast; he had read the MORN
ing papers through; he had stood directly
in front Of the fire, with his hands clasped
under his coat skirts, and was thoroughly
warm; he had kicked off his slippers, and
drawn on his nicely polished boots; he had
muilled up his sack, ncckcloth and gloves,
put on his hat, and was passing down the
door steps, when voice from behind ares
ted his progress; for Mrs. Leonidas Boyd
exclaimed, don't forget the salt, my dear
and moment after, nor the saeratus and
starch.
AS men 60, Mr.. Leonidas Boyd was a
good man, kind husband, and an indul-
gent father. Not day passed but his hand
kerchiei was tied into half dozen knots,
TO remind him of things he never would re-
member; not day which he did not say,
yes my child, and l will my dear, to re-
quests he was sure to forget The butchers
bill, the coal-mans bill, the house rent,
were all quickly settled and chccrfully he
bought cotton cloth, new dresses, bonncts
and school books but there was ever u mys-
terry to his masculine understanding. He
could not comprehend what became of the
minor groceries that went into his house );
and as he paced with quick steps the road
leading to his place of business, his mcdita-
tons ran thus:
Don't forget the salt, my dear !" No
won't forget the salt; but wonder what
has become of the last l bought Starch
and saleratus, too. | never taste saleratus
in any thing; the cook must throw that a.
way; and starch-let me see that, that
goes into my shirts but it can't take a
pound for a shirt. There's soap and few
more eggs, my dear. Last week it was
some indigo and new mop, a little sand
aud some Soda tomorrow it will be Bris-
tol-brick and a pound of ginger. What
women want of so many things | cannot
imagine but my wife shall have what she
wants, if she is rational about what she calls
housekeeping.
Every town has its Mr.. Leonidas; men
whose perceptions are obtuse on the subject
Of small domestic needs men to whom lit
tie wants are no wants at all and to whose
minds what they don't see used is sure to
be wasted and men who wonder where the
salt goes men who think women make toe
much ado about housekeeping men, il
snort, VINO are great cohhoiSSeurs Oh tiie GU
linary art in general, but have no concep
ton of multiplicity of details, and who buy
butter, sugar, lard, pepper and spice, anc
; verify think that they are doing their wives
a great favor. Eating is, on the whole, ;
serious business. When we take into con
sideraton the sustaining Of vital energies
and the consequent actions, the office o
cook becomes one of solemn interest," ant
the incessant demands made by that Office
; with which the "human face divine" is gar
nished, seems but reasonable. Who want
buckwheat cakes OH hot summer morning
chicken pie when they areill, or cruel whcl
they are well ? The man who desires greer
peas in December and rclshes cucumber
in January, is one who would turn the worlt
upside down, and ought himself to be pu
inder forcing glass until better tastes ant
/ aims are Observation-Disclosures.