The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-09-12

ana OUT Win perpetual Questions dpVut
shaving soap and stockings and shirts !
Madame de Stael nhYer had her mind
disturbed about shirts, l am sure
'But what is a fellow to do, with his
shirt split across the back 2
tAh-what indeed 2 mused Cathie,
in voice so plainly indicative that her
mind was far away in some metaphysical
region, that Alexander gathered up his
suspenders and retreated in dumb des.
pair !
Holes in my stockings big enough to
jump through, and the cologne bottle not
repIenished. And I've cut my nose
shaving, and no Cathie here to put on a
sticking plaster. But then l do really
think it would be nice to have my wife
appear like Lucy Ogilvie. | wonder what
Ogilvie does when he cuts his nose J
Mr.. Verdon finished his toilet and went
down town, with this subject of marvel
yet undecided in his mind.
The city bells were changing one on the
same day, when NJ. Ferdon ran hurridly
up his doorsteps, and entered his own
domicIe by the subtle aid of convenient
little night key.
Catherine! Wife! Chathie ?
But no wife, aproned household fairy
met him on the stairs with gold brown
curls tucked neatly back of her ears, and
bright eyes sparkling welcome.
She must be down IN the kitchen was
his thought as he ran down three steps
at time, and presented himself before
the small damsel of twelve who was the
only domestic that economical Catherine
Verdon kept.
where's your mistress, PollyF
Sure, sir, she's gone to see picture
gallery she tould me, down town
'Aud when is she coming back p de-
manded Mr.. Yerdon, biting his lips with
inward vexation.
she said she mightn't be back before
night
'Where are the children p
Gone to their Grandma's in Brooklyn,
sir
'And what am I to do for dinrerp
Sure, sir, don't know
Here's pretty fix! grumbled Mr.
Verdon to himself as he stamped des,
pairingly about the kitchen. 'And I've
asked Howard aud Talboys to dine here
at three. What demon has got into
Cathie! Why couldn't I have held my
tongue the other night! should really
like to know wha: I'm to do
'He tore his hair in dire perplexity.
Pollyp
Sir!
WHATS there in the house for dinner?
There is a tongue, sir-and a Goldfish
and cabbage, | believe
Bring 'em oE, Polly, and I'll cook 'em
myself. You can boil tongue can't you?'
Il wish l had cook book groaned
Mr.. Verdon, in great tribulation. ANY
how, you fry fsh-and cabbage is very
good boiled, with butter. Fetch on the
frying pan, Polly, and bring lots of kind,
ling. I'm, afraid this goldfish is little
tough and dry-coufound the creature,
how it sticks to the pan! Polly, you set
the table while I strip off all the nice big
cabbage leaves-these little sprouts are
of no use down in the middle. Ill tend
to the bakers for an apple pie I guess
l wouldn't have Howard and Talboys
suppose we didn't keep professional
cook, for any money. If Cathie was only
al home.'
Mr. Verdon dropped the cabbage leaves
one by one, meditativaly, into the pot as
he spoke.
Sure, sir interposed the staring
handmaiden, 'missis always washes them
first
Washes sem ? calculated Mr.. Verdon.
What's the use of that when the potts
half full Of water? But women always
go to work By the hardest way
'Give US that tongue, Polly, and a
sharp knife-suppose the plaguy thing
has got to be skinned. Ha!-looP
Mr.. Yerdon uttered an agonized howl
as the knife slipped, inficting disagree.
able cash on his hand. He tied it up
with his handkerchief and went on with
his rather difficult job.
There ? he exclaimed, as he triumph
antly jammed the tongue down among
the cabbage leaves, Fhat's done. But
I'm afraid my fish is quite old-doesn't
fry at all favorably. Perhaps I ought to
grease the PAM
He took the fish out by the tail and
annointed the kissing pan literally with
butter, then set the establishment on the
FIRE once more.
But just as he was bending over the
fire, his sleeves turned back, and his
countenanee dripping with perSpiration
there was 4 sudden siblllation and an up
ward blaZe-the butter had taken fire
so had Mr.. Eerdon's hair and shirt
sleeves.