Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-05-05
From the Prairie Farmer.
In a Fix.
by MRS. p ID. GAGE.


What mistake it is to get in fix.
Mrs. Peters was a good woman, in the
main, but she was too easy; did not
keep things squared up. She worked
hard, d,-hard enough,-but somehow
every thing was behind time, and she
was forevermore in a hurry. 1t was
Just her luck, she used to say, to al
ways have company when she was oat
of every thing. and the whole house
in fix. Now, just what that meant,
no one would know unless they could
go, as did Mrs. Harper, and see for
themselves.
Jane was called beauty, and so
she was: for her skin was fair, her
features good, her eyes pleasant, and
her hair glossy, massive and brown;
and but for certain careless, listless
habit she had allowed herself to fall
into, Jane would have been decidedly
belle. She had an eye for the beau
tiful, and usually got up her wardrobe
with some taste. Yet it too often
happened it was all marred by rip
in her dress. a soil upon her collar, or
her brown hair would be neglected till
its gloss was dimmed
Col. Harper had only been resi-
dent of Walnut Grove one year; and
his fine establishment-that is, the
new house he had built in the prairie
grove, for which he was able to pay
cash down, his splendid span of grays
and his fine carriage-attracted great
attention in the ncighborhood. Walter
had called once or twice upon Helen
and Jane, for Mr.. Peters was the rich
est farmer in the town, except it might
be the Harpers themselves.
And what was more suspicious, he
| had taken Jane out to ride once in his
buggy, and once he had walked home
with her from an evening meeting;-
what more was wanted to set Madam
Rumor to guessing what might hap
pen?
Now Mrs. Harper was very proud
of her boys, and when Mrs. Hildreth
came in one morning to make call
and just incidentally limited that Wal
ter was smitten, and added that "Miss
Jane was real good looking, but she
would never set the river a fire." il
excited Mrs. Harper to call over, and
kill her four birds instead of three.
Walters not going to get him
self took in by a pretty face if L car
help it." said the mother to herself
as she stood wiping her hands at the
long roller, after she had finished uT
the morning work.
And here they were, face to face
Walter Harper's mother and Jane.
at will never do" thought the
careful mother.
"I'm done for" thought the agi
tated girl, as she saw the scrutinizing
eyes peering in every direction round
the untidy room.
In the meantime, Helen was worry
ing and fretting in the kitchen.
Now, the true way to make cake
when one is in haste, is to build fir
first; then grease the cake pans, rol
the sugar, add the butter, work then
together thoroughly, add eggs anc
sour cream. soda. spice and -four; pou
into the pans and bake. That all seem
simple enough, does it not?
Helen dashed down cellar and bro
up-alas! nothing. There was no
an egg, no butter, and, now come t.
think, there was not bit of soda 70
either cake or biscuit. Mother wa
called instanter for consultation; an
Will was sent post haste to neigh
bor's to borrow. Loo was scolded n
to the churning: they all churned. bu
the cream had not been taken care ol
and the cream would not turn to but
ter for the best of them. Loo churn
ed, mother churned, Jane churned
Helen churned; they put in salt, the
added hot water, but all would nc
do-no butter came.
Il never will get in such a Fl
: again." said the worried woman
"Girls, it's a shame: / have so niue
to do. you ought to see to some {
J these things for me-"
Girls excused themselves, of cours'
and worried on.
1 At last the cake was in the over
$ and in hot haste baked more tina
"done brown"
r Jane declared it was Helen, an
S Helen declared it was Jane, and motl