The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-09-01
NIISCELLAN E0 US.
FAMILY VS.. COMPANY !;
CHAPTER !.
OR FOUR KINDS OF CAKE.

al, is all folly, wife! !" exclaimed Mr..
spoken sort OF man, 10 his belier half
There you have got no less than four kinds
OF cake, three kinds of pies, Two kinds OF
preserves 10 say nUlhng OF knick-knacks
aud .imcIacks.'
The fact was Mrs. Somes was having the
minister, his wife aud Two grown up daugh-
ters to iake lea with her. She had been
Engaged for three days in the preparations.
aud such display Of nice things was cal
culaled 10 asionish the minister aud his
family TO give them Two fold surprise
first al the variety and extent OF her culinary
resources, aud secondly at her FOLLY in al
tempting 10 make n display beyond her
means.
The Somes were in comfortable circum-
slauces. Mr.. SOnes was farmer, and
probably his income might have amounted
10 four hundred dollars per year.
Mis-. Somes was prudent, careful
housewife, who wasted no more Of her skill
upon her own family than was absolutely
necessary. But she deligl ted in making
grand appearance when he had compa.
ny.-Mr. SOmes and the boys were some.
times IN ill-naiured as TO grOwl at her care
ful catering, when The house contained no
com pany and il cut them TO the bone 10
see such extraordinary preparations for the
Aei.hbors. II was kiss The cook when they
weIe alone, bu, The board groaned with
plenty. when there were guests present.
Nj johann Somes had just come from
the sitting room where the table with lis
tempting array Of viands was spread. He
did not like j, bit, aud alter passing the
time of day with The parson sud his family
he Proceeded 10 the Kitchen where his vile
was just taking The biscuit out of The oven.
What do you mean by folly, IshoulG like
10 know!" replied Mrs. johann Somes,
somewhat tarlly.
She was second wife, and having been
redeemed from one Of The advanced stages
Of maidenhood, her temper had grown a
lille sour before she became wife.
"The folly of setting such table as
you have, F" replied the husband. ] should
think you were going 10 have the President
or the royal family To take tea with you" I"
al am going 10 have The Rev. Mr..
Meekle and his family, and | will take
care OF my business il yor will yours," !"
replied the lady slamming the oven door.
"Pe,haps il is no, my business"
"No. am sure il is not"
"Who pays for all them gewsaws and
gimcracks ?"
"You do OF course"
"But !, is none Of my business
"No! never thought you were so con.
founded meant" said the lady, her face
reddening with anger.
"Mean am no, mean But when you
get vicluals for your family, you think al.
most anything is good enough for them
We never see any pies and cake and knick.
knacks."
"Do you think Pm going 10 make pies
and cake for the men folks 10 ca, every
day. reioried the indignant honsekeePer.
"Then don't do il for company. What
is good enough for me is rs good as can
afford TO give INV visitors.
81 really believe il you had your own
way, you would have me as mean us the
Smiths"
"The Smiths are as good folks and Us
liberal as any in town; aud II warrant
Parsou Meeklie thinks a heap more Of
them than he does Of you with all your
four kinds Of cake.'
"You re fool Mr.. Somes!n
81 am fool enough 10 know that folks
are not judged by the quantity Of sweet
cake they pu, upon the table when they
have company. Irepeat ii; there are no