The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-11-01
ADAY's HOUSEKEEPING.
FROM A SINGLE MANS DIARY.

|
The ponderous old iius. piece that stood
on a small wooden shell! between my aun
Rachel's kitchen windows had just struck
ten.
sat there just where the moving maple
leaves interposed canopy Of emerald shade
between the pages of my book, and the
fervid heat of old Pheobus, regaIng my
self with capiially favored cigar aud in
doIentIy watching my rosy little aunt as she
trippsd hilher and thither, buster than any
bee that ever lost bis wits in an acre OF
clover blossoms. Ever since | could re-
member, she aad made business of spoil
ing me, and it was the greatest luxury
I knew of, TO escape from the heat and tur-
moil of the great city where was begin
ning TO practice law, and spend week with
this most favorite Of aunts notwilhstan ding
she invariably considered il her duty TO lec-
ture me roundIy on my single blessedness,
and 10 recommend all the unmarried fe-
males of her by no means limited acquaint.
ance, 10 my bachelor consideration.
"Now, there's no use leasing me, aunt
Rachel" said emphatcaIIy tossing my ci.
gar out into a bed of glowing sweetwil.
liams, "I've no intention of falling in love
with any of yonr red handed country divin-
tiles, whose pIishmenis are confined
10 pies, and work bed quilts, and"
"Philip Pm astonished al you," ejscu.
lated my relative. "Let me tell you, young
man, the srl OF housekeeping is not TO be
undervalued. Now there's Hepsi5ah War
ren-the incest girl in the neighborhood-
the very person 10 suit you. my boy"
'.She nesds be nice girl, with that hid
eons name fastened to her for Iife," said !,
Struggling my shoulders; but aunt Rachel
went on, pretending not 10 hear the ungra-
cious remark
"Phiip should be perfectly happy if |
saw you the accepted lover of Miss War
fenn
''I'm afraid you're not destined TO the en-
joyment OF perfect happiness just at pres
| en,, then aunt Rachel" remarked | de-
murely. "Ms falling in love with girl
girl named Hepsibah !"
Aunt Rachel could not help laughing al
the horrible grimace J made, even as she
hurried away 10 answer an imperative
knock at the front door. | settled myself
comfortably back in the big rocking chair
and prepared alas how little do we pen.
citrate into the dim mysteries of the future
! -fer morning of peaceful reading and
reverie.
In minute aunt Rachel came back
flushed and anxious.
''Such pity, Philip; old Mrs. Holden on
the hill has been taken suddenly i'll, AID
they've sent for me. The other neighbors
all live at such distance, and Pve had a
good deal of experience in these sudden
attacks, but"
"Well; why dom, you got"
For the good old lady stood before me,
twisting her apron in the direst agony ol
perplexity. =
"Tha's just the question for a man 10
ask J when you know that your uncle has
fonr hired hands in the field, and dinner
hainh looked at! Peas to be gathered, po-
tatoes 10 be washed, kitchen fire 10 be kin
died, cusIard pies 10 be baked"
"I'lI get the dinner, aunty. Go and put
Jour bonnet on" quoth I, with the head
long courage that belongs ou!y to total mex
perience.
"Nonsense, Philip !" she said, laughing
in spite o: her trouble; 'tyou get the din
Der, indeed ! should like TO see you do
such thing"
"And why not o. demanded /. with a
cool imprudence which evieently inspired
my aunt with sort of belief in me. "You
seem 10 think that it requires the intellect
of Millou and The generalship of Napoleon
10 cook dinner ~
~ could not be at home by the time 10
dish it up" unused my aunt, evidently con-
siGering the feasibility of the whole scheme
'sOf course you could not," echoed l.,
beginning to feel rather anxious than 9th
erwise for an opportunity of Distinguishing
myself in the sphere Of domestic life.
swell Philip" said my aunt, suddenly
coming to decision, al believe nay trust
you. But. my dear boy, remember that the
fire must be kindIed at eleven precisely.
Phil some nice fresh beels in The garden
and, Philip, you nigh, cut little aspars-
gus. Don't forget lthe peas and potatoes,
and be sure the custard pies go into the
oven when the fire is hot They are on the
kitchen table now, all ready.n
LIS all right, aunt Rachel - responded I.
Sand Philip, De particularly careful 10
keep the garden gate shuI-thoss pigs OF
faruer RopIey's are in The road again this
morning"
81 won'l forgein
snow can you tell me what on intended
10 60 first p' said aunt Rachel, at the close
Of volley OF directions.
"Pui the garden gate into the oven when
The pigs are hot-puII some nice fresh peas