The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-02-16

cups, saucers, plates, knives, forks, etc
He tried to recollect how Mrs. CROSBY
arranged them, but in spite of all hi
attempts, he couldn't make the table
look as she did. He made no applica
ton to that lady for advice, however
and she apparently, was absorbed in he'
reading.
Adjourning to the kitchen, the squire
attended to the making of a "deliciou.
cup Of Coffee" and had long struggle
Of beefsteak, which refused to broil tt
his satisfaction. When he returned t
the dining room, after long absence
looking heated and impatient, Mrs
Crosby remarked, consulting her watch
" that he had been absent long enough
to make beefsteak. s.
This observation the squire remcm.
bered to have heard before, but did
not make it apparent. At length the
coffee and meat were brought in, and
all things were pronounced ready by the
officiating master of ceremonies.
Mrs Crosby seated herself, and be-
gan to carve aud the squire took his
place at the head of the table, ard pro-
ceeded to pour out the coffee.
"The bread, Mr.. Crosby suggested
the lady.
Bless me, forgot it !" he exclaim-
ed, dropping the coffee-pot, and jump
ing up so hastily that he came near
overturning the table.
The bread was soon produced, cut in
slices varying in thickness from a wafer
to junk of four inches.
"The butter Mr. Crosby" suggested
his companion, when be was again fair
ly seated.
~ declare, what poor memory |
have got !" Aud setting down the cup
which he had taken up for the second
time, he started for the missing article.
Placing it in triumph beside his wife's
plate, he renewed his attempts at coffee
pouring, and this time was successful !;
but it must be confessed that he eyed
the dark looking beverage with some
uncertainty as be passed it across the
table.
Muddy coffee again, Mr.. Crosby ="
abruptly said the lady,
The squire hadn't a word Of reply.
every smoky beefsteak, my dear |!
What have you done to it," she con-
tinued pushing large piece of the OBJ
noxious article on one side of her
plate. You must be extremely care
less, or such things couldn't happen so
often as they do !" .l
/" What woman that is to remember,
to be sure. Anybody would suppose
that she had kept diary of my unlucky
observations for year. Why, she has
them all at her tongues's end % thought
the individual addressed, though he
didn't see fit to make any immediate
The squire had but little appetite /;
his wife remarked the fact, and hoped
/" that the simple exercise of getting
breakfast" had not taken it away, as one
person, who should be nameless, was in
the habit Of asserting.
The gentleman WINGED, and prepared
himself a generous slice of bread and
butter, which he proceeded to dispose of
as though he had lacked food for weeks.
When the morning meal was con-
cluded, Mrs. Crosby donned her bonnet
and shawl, and remarking that she would
send home the dinner, left the house.
Our hero was now alone, and could
carry on operations without an eye wit
ness; which he observed was much
pleasanter.
Now we'll consult the list," he
added aloud, sand have things 90 on in
regular order. Get breakfast, clear
table, wash dishes, put closets in order,
wipe down shelves, clean knives, cleanse
link, rub silver, black stove, keep FIRE,
attend to door bell, sweep hall, brush
stairs, sweep parlor, dining room, and
dust furniture, trim lamps, do
work, wa,h meat for oven,
,lean vegetables, stew cranberies, make
budding, and entertain visitors, If they
happen to call"
"Bless me is that all :" cried our
hou,ckeepcr / call that making a