Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-09-14
Misrellorleolts
FAMILY VS.. COMPANY;
OH
FOUR KINDS OF CAKE.
CHAPTER ].

1T is all folly, wife ? exclaimed Mr. So
thom Somes, natter-offc CT, plain-Spoken
sort of man, to his better half There you
have got no less than four kinds Of preserves,
10 saw nothing of kniok-knacks and gim'
cracks
The fact was, that Mrs Somes was having
tbe ministers, his wife and two YOwnup daUgh
ters IN take tea with her. She had been en-
eseed for three days in the preparations, and
snch display of nice Things waScalculated 10
astonisb the minister and his family TO give
them twolold surprise, first at the variety and
extent of her culinary resource, and second
ly Al her folly in attempting 10 make display
bevond her means.
The comes' werein comfortable circumstan-
ees. Mr.. Somes was farmer, and probably
his income might wave amounted TO S4UO
year.
wife. who wasted no more Of her culinary
skill upon her own family than was absolutely
necessary. But she delighted in making a
grand appeatanee when she had company
Mr.. Scmers and the boys were sometimes so
;l-natnred as to growl at her careful catering
when the house contained no company; ana
il cut them to the bone TO see such eXtraoldl-
nary prenarations for the neighbors 1t was
kiss the cook when the house contained no
guests.
Mr.. lothian Somers had just cone from the
siitinp ON, where the table, With lis Tempt
ing array of viands was spread tle dd not
like it a bit, and after passing the time OF day
with the parson and his famly he proceeded
10 the kitchen where h is wife was just taking
the biscuit out OF the over.
sWhat do Won mean by folly, Shond iikc
TO know p replied Mrs. SomeS, somewhat tart
lv.
She was second wife, and having been re-
deemed from one Of the advanced stages OF
msidenhood her temper had gtoWha lilue sour
before she became wife,
'The folly of setting such table as yon
have replied the husband. 4 should think
you were going 10 have Inc Preshenl' or the
Royal family 10 take tea with you.
~ am goine 10 have the Rev. Mr.. Meekie
and his family. and will lake care Of my bus.
mess if you will of yours replied the lady,
slomming the oven door.
perhaps this is not my BUSINESS
No am sure it is not
'Who pays for all them gew-gaws and GIN
cracksP
you do Of course
.But il is none Of my business =
No never thought you were so confound'
ed mean ? said the lady her face reddenlht
with anger.
Mean, Pm not mean But when you gel
yictuals for your own family, you think almos
ANYTHING is good enough for them. We neve
see any pies and cake and knick-knacks.'
DO you think Pm going 70 make pies ant
cake for the men folks o eat every day (! res
ponded the indignant housekeeper.
Then don't do it for company. What il
good enough for me is as good as can afforC
10 give my visitors
Il really believe if you had your own way
YOU would have me rs mean as the Smiths
'The Smiths are as good folks and as llbera
as any in town; and Pll warrant ParSon Meek
lie thinks heap more Of them than he doe
of you with al your our kinds Of cake.'
You're fool, Mr.. SomersP !
L fool enough to know that folks are no
Judged by the quality Of sweet cake they pu
upon the table when they have company.
repeat it; there are no better people in tn;
town than the Smiths
Il spose not; but they had nothing but coli
biscuit and molasses gingerbread when W,
took tea there
sThapsas good as they can afford; but it i
no better than they have every day, and | ad
mire their Independence
They're contemplate, mean folks ?
'Whyi Because they do not attempt L
make folks believe they live bette; than the
do2 For my part don't think it is any bet
ter than hypocrisy 10 make such a parade O
victqols as you do, especially when It is har
work for me and The boYsto get decent mea
OF victuals.'
'Dil anybody ever hear the like 7! groane
the lady, who had by this time arrived a. III
pitch Of excitement when tears are more el
fective than words.
:Perhaps they never did; but if ever sc
anything Of this sort again, they will be prett
likely 10 hear of it, replied Mr. Sones, throw
ing or his blue frock, and commencing hi
preparations for taking tea with the minister
CHAPTER II.
The plate Of hot buscuit was placedin In
midst ofthe profusion of fancy eatibles wit
which the table was crowned. The ministe
and his family were duly seated and the eel
enony was proceeding decenly and IN ordei.
Mrs. Some had not wholly recovered froI