The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-09-01
CHAPTER. ii.

The plate OF hol biscuit was placed in
the midst of The profusion Of fancy ealables
with which the liable was crowded. The
minister and his family were duly seated
and The ceremony was proceeding decenlly
and in order. ......
Mrs. Somes had not wholly recovered
from The excitement OF the interview in The
kitchen, and her hand lrembed slightly as
she handed Mrs. Meeklie her lea. MIR
Somes had d0nned his best blue coat with
bass buttons, which had done duty as a
Sunday garment for fifteen years.
He seemed 10 be somewhat uneasy, and
though he aud the minister had always
been on The best terms, his answers were
TOO short and crusiy for courteous host.
"WOnt you rass The biscuit 10 Mrs.
Meeklie, husband said Mrs. Somes, with
her sweetest smile, albeit rol very sweet a,
that.
Mr.. Somes did pass The biscuit 10 Mrs
Meeklie aud she took one; but when he
passed Them 10 Mr.. Meeklie, he smilin9ly
declined.
"No thank you, Mr.. Somes; I never
eal no, bread. |, does not agree with me-"
said he.
MIS-. Somes passed The cold bread, think.
ing all The time how very uncIvil il was in
The parson 10 refuse The hot biscuit she
had taken so much pains 10 prepare.
But Mr.. Meeklie was very respectful 10
his stomach; for he found when insulied
and imposed upon, that it was tyrannical
and disagreeable; and he paid more defer
ence 10 his digestive organs than he did TO
The feelings OF hi> vain parishioners.
"My biscuit are mol very nice; dld moi
have as good luck as generally do," srg
& ,sled Mrs. Somes, as Mrs. Meeklie took
second cake.
Better :" interposed Mr.. Somes.
The lady looked at him with very evident
marks Of displea,ure.
"They are very NICE" said the parsons
wife.
"Take little more OF this ounce pre-
serve, Miss Meeklie. ] dare say it is not so
nice us your mother makes but the truth
is
at has stood too long," interrupted Mr..
Somes. "The jar has not been opened
since you were here last fall "
Mrs. Somes looked dagsers but the
parson very considerably asking Mr.. Somes
if he had done planting Just ut that momen,
her anger evaporated without any unpleas.
ant effects.
"Hu-sand, won't you pass the cake to
Mr.. Merklie,n
"Thank you Mrs. Somes, never eat cake
unless 1t be something very simple, such us
gingerbread or molasses cake. /"
What calamity! Four kinds Of cake
and the parson would Mt touch one of them.
F" But you will take one Of these jumbles
| made them on purpose for you"
I" That's fact, Mr.. Meeklie," added Mr..
Somes, maliciously.
:" II. would further have added that his
wife never made cake and pies for her own
iamily, but he was afraid Of frightening
the parson.
You must excuse me; doubt not they
are very nice, but have to be careful.
Mrs. Meeklie and her two grown up daush.
ters were more courteous, and each nibbled
a small bit Of The rich pound cake but they
seemed to do SO against their better judg.
ment.
The truth was they felt embarrassed by the
extraordinary display Mr.. Somcs had maze.
They did not feel ut home. The whole affair
was too artificial to be enjoyed, and al an
early hour the whole party withdrew, men.
tally determined to make tia long time DO.
fore they took tea with Mrs. Somes again.