The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-10-17
DLINA, WEDNESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER II, 1855

U, an excellent dinner. Mrs. Wilson
does know how to cook good meal Of
victuals, or, at lekst, her daughters do,
despite OF what her neighbors may say
concerning her merits as housekeeper.'
DO they say she is not good COOKE
WELL replied Mrs. b., some people
do insinuate such things; but there is no
truth in it, 3
SO you did have good dinner con-
tinued Ler husband, with the same pe-
kculiar expression; 'and / dare say YOU en-
joyed good supper, tool'
"Ies, indeed; a royal supper. Mrs.
Jennings has no superior in the culinary
art, and, although she has not been long
in the neighborhood, she certainly seems
as familiar and as sociable as any of our
oldest acquaintanees--and I'm sure she
IS a great deal better woman than somc?'
Then, my dear said Mr.. Beckwi,h.
you have had an excellent dinner and a
royal supper, and yet dare say that not
once during all the time you were masti-
eating these excellencies and royal ties, did
you think of the wretcbed apology for a
meal with which your devoted husband
was obliged TO content himself
I'm sure, left a loaf of bread for you,
That was week old, and as dry as
chip
o. dear, no; it was only baked Thurs,
day
We'll, If il bad only been baked this
morning, it would, in no way, have men,
ded the matter
We'll, then there was a plate of but
ter -
THAT was frowy.'
We'll, don't see how Tn 10 blame
for that. do tile best can to keep the
butter good.'
Il don't know low butter can he ex-
pected to keep, when il is left for days to-
gether up in the warm pantry. II you
had left it in the cellar, where it should
be kept, !, might ma have been SO bad.
Besides tl,at, you Sofgot TO wash the dish
es, this morning, in your haste TO get
away from home that seems to be no
home TO you. so little piece Of domestic
housewifery found myself obliged to per-
FORM
Il did forget the dishes; but | wanted
to see Mrs. Brown, and l did not think |
should be gone so long. But then there
was plate Of nice cold boiled beef
Which smelt so decidedly bad that |
generously threw 1t out of DOORS
%, DEAR" calculated Mrs. Beckwith.-
And there were some potatoes, whicl,
YOU might have put in the oven TO bake
| And which dill put in the oven to
bake. / dare say they must be done hy
this time, but couldn't say for certain,
since, not being so perfect in the culinary
art as either the Mrs. Brown, Wilson. OF
jennings, never thought to look at them
from the time l put them into the oven
until now
Mrs. Beckwith Immediately opened
the stove oven door, and at least peck
Of potatoes were burnt to cinders.
%, dear! she exclaimed again, laughing
in spite Of the tears which actually forced
themselves out Of her eyes.
The COW hasn't been MIXED yet,' OBJ
served Mr.. b., after short silence, where.
upon his wife took the pail and went out
OF the house, dark as it was, to find the
COW and milk her.
AS soon as she had gone, Mr. Beckwith
who had worked hard all day, and felt
the need of repose, retired to rest.
After a little while Mrs. b. returned
from her fruilless search, aud awoke her
husband by saying that she couldn't find
the COW.
| We'll, come to bed, and let her 90 till
morning. said Mr.. b., ill-humordly.
Mrs. Beckwith felt unhappy. She did
not 60 TO bed Immediately, but lit the
lamp and went about the house, setting
to rights rs many things as she convent.
emily could, and then sat down by the
window TO look out at the moon, which
was just rising above the old giant tree
tops. In spite Of herself she found the
tears coming down her cheeks, and she
felt really penitent, when she thought how
she had neglected her husband.
sill, she did not make up her mind
to reform completely True, she resolved
to try to do better, bat tho idea of staying
at home, and keeping things in better or.
der, aud attenaing thoroughly to all the
wants Of her husband, did not take CON-
fplete possession Of her mind.
| As she sat gazing out at the window,
the familiar 'looing' Of the old COW burst
upon her ear. Taking up her pail, and
throwing shawl over her head and
shoulders, she went out 10 look for her
once more.
BY this time the mooa began 70 give
| light enough, to enable her to Distinguish
objects at some little distance, and, ia !
short time, the old COW was found aud
lmiIked.
! Returning to the house, she strained
the milk, and fatigaed and drowsy, she
! sought her bed, and 10 few mon.cnts
was buried IN profound slumber.
/ j vas late next day before she could
| get the house put In order, the dishes
| wasked. and the breakfast ready, SO lhai
when Mr. Beekwith went away sta Iatt
II 81 r.