Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-09-05
stItttsb Calf.
How Tom and | Kept House.

Nv chum aud | had often, in the privacy
of our room, wondered how a family of only
three PERSONS could make SO much work, and
whv our andlady could, on some pertcuIar
dsys keep on her feet from morn TIL night
Although We could appreciate the clear cot
N lee the tender steak aud the light biscuit
u that were placed before US, we could perform
them in half the time, and not so much
fuss about it either and We had more than
opce freely expressed our opinion as to the
manner which some household affairs shod be
treated but the merry twiukljng in the eye
of our good naturcd audady, aud the Oft re-
,ea,sd expressjon q mans work is from sun
70 suu hut womauS work is never done did
no, convict US. aud old bachelors like We be-
gan 10 think Of a home Ct our own, where we
could have the privilege of trying our hand
at the culinary bu>lDess-provlded Mrs. Some
BODY vas willing.
one evening, as we sat down to the table,
our landady Informed Us that she had been
called out of town to sick friend and as she
expected to be absent few days, she would
ry and fud some one to take charge of the
house aud its occupants.
Tom and | protested against this unneceS'
ary trouble, for was not this the opportunity
We had long been wishing for We were
sTge enough TO take care of ourselves, and
sac need have no fear on our account.
After much entreaty on our part, and OBJ
jectug on the ladiys purt, consent was at least
won for Us to act fo. ourselves, and after show
ing US the barrels, fTkins AID boxes contain
ing the ingredients used in cooking, and deliV'
eriug the keys of the store-room aud closets,
our landlady bid US good bye, with wish that
We might have q pleasant Us well as profitable
lime
The anticipated baking of the morrow pos
sessed for Us more charms than did ever box
otmarOes in our boy hood days. That evening
We read all the receipts contained in the cook
book. from making bread to frosting wedding
cake, aad il our own conceit, thought we
we're wise enough to do anything.
The next morning, We made visit to the
closet TO see what provisions were left for the
isy-but alas were forcibIy reminded of
The old nursery song" Old Mother Hub
bsrd went to the cupbord," &c but instead
e iOdng it bare, We found proof sufficient
{ midnight revel, and we both exclaimed,
The rats"
Il was arranged chat Tom should kindle the
Ire sud make the coffee, while mi xed bread
nd lad the table. Tying on my apron to
keep my pants clean, went 10 work. The
ioCt was sifted, but what next, and cook
book was consulted a little sal9ratus,
II !sast and salt, according your judgment"
Tom" says l. what does this mean,
a' according to your judgment 2
" Why, don't you know a cup full, of course !;
n thought YOU knew how to make bread T.
and Tom blew into the stove till his face vas
Fhat might have been called q celestial
red
vent to the stove, and found the dampers
were closed
| must say, Ton, that if you are as long
shduns fame in lGdy's heart, as you
Lave been in this stove, your future prospects
"s no: datteriOg thought you knew how
nake FIRE -
Ny bread had been 10 the oven about an
'ou' aud although l had looked at it, and
safasa j! round i: looked as fat as when
s''' put 1t into the pan. By our united ef-
M'N We succeeded in building q fire, and soon
,-e @ fragrant smell of coffee filled the room.
Ils table was laid and We were patiently
'A'ns for the bread to bake.
What on earth are YOU doing, Tom ~ |
sacAned, as saw him at work upon an old
is5 skjn.
ii Why, settling the coffee, to be sure didn't
IL !oe tell ne to put fish into it ? aud haE-
il 81 pot 10 half one yet"
y, dear groaned, your ears and gen
T'& disposition will be the death Of you yet.
H sc piece of fish skjn-but perhaps it is
''.Sf TS than it looks salt is good, you know"
me me bread began to look brown, and we de-
--s4 mat il was 6one-brown While pIac-
=. upon the table, heard a grosn aad
III 'T" come here, Bob, from the kitchen.
,.io Ion had poured hot water upon his hand
,ra.S ~ ls sal upon the aoor, blowing fuciousy
'''n bis fingers.