The dollar weekly bulletin. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1862-1864, 1863-05-28
HoM TOM AND I KEPT HOUSE.

s three persons could make so much work
, and why our landlady should, on some par
ticular days, keep on her feet from morn til
:, night. Although we could appreciate the
clear coffee, the tender steak, and the lighI
3 biscuit that were placed before US, yet we
thought if they devolved upon US, we could
/, perform them in half the time and not make
so much fuss about it either, and we had
more than once freely expressed our opinion
as to the manner in which household affairs
, should be treated; but the merry twinkle in
the eye of our good -natured landlady, and
the oft repeated expression, "a mans work
is from sun to sun, but woman's work is
never done," did not convince Us, and old
bachelor like we began to think of a home
OF our own, where we could have the priv
ilege of trying our hand at the culinary busi-
ness-provided Mrs. Somebody was willing.
One evening as we sat down to the table,
our landlady informed Us that she had been
called out of town to sick friend, and as
she expected to be absent for few days sh Q
would try and find some one to take charge
of the house and its occupants. Tom and
protested against this unnecessary trouble,
for was not this the opportunity we had long
been wishing for? We were large enough
to take care of ourselves, and she need have
no fears on our account. After much en-
treaty on our part, and objecting on: the
lady's side, consent was at last won for US to
act for ourselves, and after showing us the
barrels, firkins aud boxes containing the in
gradients used in cooking, and delivering
the keys of the store-room and closets, our
landlady bads US goodbye, with wish that
we might have pleasant as we'll profit
able time ..s' g.
The anticipated baking of the morrow
possessed for US more charms than did ever q
box of ms arbles in our boyhood days. That
evening we read all the recipes contained in
the cook book, from making bread to FROST
! ing wedding cake, and in our own concelt,
thought we were wise enough to do any
thing. The next morning we went to the
closet to see what provisions were left for
the day-but alasi were forcibly reminded
of the old nursery song, old Mother Hub
bard went to the Cupboard &C., but instead
of finding it bare, we found proof sufficient
of a midnight revel, and we both exclaimed,
the ratsp .5. ..-s... =. ..-.r... ...-
1t was arranged that Tom should kindle
the fire and make the coffee, while 1 mixed
bread and laid the table; tying on my apron
to keep my dre-no, pants clean, l went to
work; the flour was sifted. but what next?-
the cookbook was consulted; "a little sale
ratus. yeast and salt according to your udg-
ment.' 'Tom,' says I, what does this mean
--'salt according to your judgm ent? 'Wty,
don't you know? a cupfull. of course; 1
thought you knew how to make breadP and
L ON blew into the stove till his face was
what might be called q celestial red.' ]
went to the stove and found the hampers
were closed. Il must say, Tom, that if ycu
are as long kindling fame in lady's heart
as you have been in this stove. your future
prospects are not hattering. 1 thought you
knew how to make fire. My bread had
been in the ovon about an hour, and although
I had looked at it, and turned it round, it
looked as fat as when first put it into the
pan. By our united efforts we succeeded in
building fire, and soon the fragrant smell
Of coffee filled the room. The table was
laid and we were patiently waiting for the
bread to bake. What on earth are you do
ing, Tom?' I exclaimed, as saw him at
work upon an old fish skin. 'Why, settling
the coffee, to be sure; didn't you tell me to
put fish in it, and haVn't put in half
one as YETI 'Oh DEAR 1 groaned, your ears
and generous disposition will be the death
of you yet. said small piece of fish skin
but perh aps it is better than it looks-salt
Is good, you know t.
The bread began to look brown and we
decided that it was done-.brown. While
placing it upon the table, l heard groan
and a faint come here, Bob;' from the
kitchen. Tom had poured hot water upon
his hand, and he sat on the floor blowing
furiously upon his fingers. Soft soap is
good; go put your hand into the pot of soap
in the cellar oh! murder! murder!' came
IN tones of agony from the region below,
soft soap is good for burns, is it?' and Tom
came up, with tears streaming down his face
and the salt brine dripping from his hand.
tGt- l.l>,, be
So Bob? Let US have some breakfast, or
the coroner will have case of starvation to
investigate" We sat down to the table, but
before we had eaten two mouthfuls of bread
or swallowed two swallows of coffee, we
came to the conclusion that the waters of
the far-faw ed Salt Lake could not equal
our coffee, and if one of the biscuits were
hung about PERSONS neck, it would prove
a millstone. We began to analyze the saline
subjects before US, and we unanimously
agreed that 'saleratus and salt according to
your own Judgment was no judgmen at
all. The striking of the clock warned US
that we could investigate no more, and that
it was time that we were on our way to the
office. We compared notes and found that
we had been Just three hours preparing our
delicious breakfast. eleven O'Clock found
us taking a lunch at Taylor's.) As we had
been disappointed in the morning, we were
determined to make pies and cake, they
were much easier than bread for new begin
ners. So two hours before the usual time
for closing our Office we bade adieu to books
and documents, and were hurrying home to
profit by the experience of the morning
meal. We could not but miss the cheerful
face, the blazing FIRE. ard we'll laid table
that always greeted our return from our
daily toll, but we soon banished these sad
thoughts by vigorously welding the broom,
and in short time the kitchen looked quite
presentable.
was to make the pies and cake, and Tom