The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-07-11


for luncheon-it is at twelve
1t was then ten. My book was an in.
terestlng one, and the two hours sped so
quickly, that | was aslorished when lun.
cbeon was announced. Ii was laid in
the morning room, because Mrs. Bytield
was afraid Of draughts bt low stairs and
as we chntt.d she forced such quantities
OF cold chicken and tukey upon me. il
addition TO the Sandwiches had selected,
that began to have serious fears Of ap
oplexy.
Nonsense, my dear !; this small piece
of breast canno. hurt you she would say;
and there was no help for tit WAS eat.
en-. After the meal, was only too glad
to stretch myself upon the sofa near her,
and listen to the cheerful conversation. |
had not the slightes, inclination to move
for more than two hours.
At half past Two was sent to my room
to dress Tor dinner. The meal was serv
ed At three precisely, in small saloon
opening out of the mo-ning'room, with
temperature like that Of hot house,
Soup, fish, flesh and bowl, with the ac-
compartments Of port and sherry, had to
be fully discussed-nollnng offended Mrs.
BY field more than to slight her dinners.
Then came a desert aud more sherry,
with Soupcon Of claret, and a tiny glass
ful Of marsschno, by way Of finish. |
felt like priz. hen, which has been fat
tened in the dark, when We rose from the
table.
MY dear, would YOU like a napi
always take one after dinner said Mrs.
Byheld, as gave her my arm back to
the morning room Il st in my easy
chalr-you shall have the sofa
resumed my place thankfully. and
for an hour and half we siep,-perhaps
we snored, Gt WAS very likely, after that
dInner,) in concert. Then a voice awoke
me, speaking close to my ear. 1t WAS
Mrs. ByfeId, holding two plates Of de-
iIclous fruit.
My dear. always take a little fIuit
and glass of wine before tea; and
few biscuiis--you shall have sponge cake.
You will be charmed with this fruit and
| have a story to tell you rs you eat IT,
There was no help for it and all idea
OF escaping my fate vanished then and
there. sat up and ate the fruit and the
sponge cake, drank glass of wine, and
heard the story. BY some unIucky
chance or other ] happened to speak Of
bome'brewed ale, and acknowledged that
| had never laslsd nsr. Mrs. b, field
rang the bell loudly, and poor Mrs. Moore
made he. appearance.
My dear Mrs. Moore, my young friend
says SIZE has never tasted ale. Pray 90
and draw some
oh, no. began.
'Non,ense, my dear, you must not
QUIT my house without knowing how de
hclous our English drink is. Mrs. Moore
you may bring two gasses-l th,uk
can take one--and have them foam nice
Iy. One second thought you may bring
the ale in tankards. ]: does not look so
D'ce. my dear, but you get the taste Of
Il ale much better than from glass
The ale came strong, fosming, clear
asd bitter. aud she was no, satisfied uIl
usrsuksrd WAS empty, The room whirlea
around me
1t will be a pretty story for my London
f'iends.' ! thought, laughing 10 spite Of
myself. Tipsey,l must surely be pre-.
sentiy, If she goes Oh like this, and | may
think myself lucky if do not die OF
n surieii at the end. What next is o.
the bill Of fare wonder =
'You bad better bring tea, at once.
Ms Moore she said, or the ale will
make my young friends head ACHE
Make green tea and very strong
Mullins 2 said Mrs. Moore.
Yes, unless you think the weather too
warm, my dear she said, turning to me
But | lad grown desperate. and de-
cIared for the muffius without hesitation.
And some fruit jelly, Mrs Moore, IL
little OF the apricot preserves. and some
Devonshre cream added Mrs b, field.
10 a quarter Of an hour the things
were before US. 1t is really astonising q
how Gluch one can eat, il visnds are sui
ficenty tempting. can believe the
widest stories OF gastronomic exploits,
when | recall that days experience. My
friend looked over the table with dis
satisfied air, as she took her third cup oi
tea.
did you ever try any peaches with
Devonsbire cream, my dearf
Never"
ii wonder Mrs. Moore did not send
some when she knows how fond am OF
them," aud she rung the bell and ordered
them. They were indeed delicious, and
had been raised in her own forcing heas
es. When they bad been tried sufficient
ly, she -ose from The table and wrapped
herself in thick woollen shawl which
Mrs. Moore brought, aud changed her
slippers Tor pair Of lined and padded
shoes"
1T is my time for going into the chap
el, my dear. Pray amuse yourself as you
like for little while. shall be back in
half an hour At the latest"
/ took some bread in my hand and
went dowE to feed the swans. The sun
was setting and the water was tinged
with golden light. the birds were sing
ing their vespers now, and the beauty o.
the evening was over all. Yet I, did not