Weekly New Oregon plain dealer. (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1866-1867, 1866-11-09
WHOLE NO. 1854

III oodpsuuS IHdI tHey mlSuC Cci-
tainly be clean, and put them into
the teakcttlc that they might boil
quicker.
The steam was frizzing in the
frying-pan, and he was proceeding
to set the table when the bell rang.
He caught up the pan from the
fire-to keep it from burning-and
made haste to the front door. Then
he remembered it would not be just
the thing to 60 the froat door with
a frying pan in his hand, so he de-
posted it on the parlor sofa, and
answered the ring.
Mrs. Nudge was on the steps,
dressed in her best. .......
eyes, l dare say" stammered
Keith, ''my wife is absent, and !
am playing Bridget. Walk in
Mrs. Nudge sailed into the parlor
which was darkened to exclude the
sun, and without slipping to look
at her seat sank into the frying pan
on the sofa.
"Jupitcr!' cricl Mr.. Keith, 'you
have done it now!'
Mrs. Nudge sprang up; the grease
dripping from the silk on the carpet
Her face grew dark. She was
tempted to say something cutting
but managed to control herself;
bowed haughtiiy, and swept out Of
the house.
Kicth returned to the kitchen Z
little crcstfallen, for Mrs. Nudge
was lady before whom he desired to
appear particularly well.
There was tremendous cracking
in the oven. He thought of his
pudding and looked in. The burnt
rice had hoppcd all ever the oven;
the basin had melted apart, and the
pudding was not done. He shut
the door upon the ruins in disgust,
and looked after his potatoes only
to find them boiled to perfect
Jelly.
And Just as he made the discovery
there was sharp peal at the door
bell
"Crcation. .hcre's that abomina-
bic bell again. ] wish folks would
stay at home. I'll lock the doors
and cut the bell-wircs after to day"
At the door he found Mr.. and Mrs.
Fidgct and their children.
.My dear Mr.. Keith! how do you
do?" cried Mrs. Fidgct. We were
in town, and thought We would just
step in to dinner. Where is Mrs.
Kcith:'
"She's gone away said Keith
rufully, wondering what he should
feed on; 'walk in, do, I am house,
keeper to day.
"Yes, so should judge. But Of
course you make splen did one. I
remember you used to be tell Mrs.
Keith and myself. how very easy
housekeeping must be. 1t must be
mere play to you. Don't put your
self out, l beg"
"Put myself out, indeed,' cried
Keith, retrcating to the kitchen
Good gratious, what shall / do?
I'd give a hundred dollars if Mary
was only here. Where shall l begin?"
He drew out the table and set it
without any cloth; then took off the
plates and put on a cloth, and the
very Que he had wiped the dishes on.
Tho task complrtcd, he put OH somo
more potatoes and some more steak
Burned the steak to ciuder-
took off his potatoes when he did his
meat, and put all upon the table.
There was loaf Of bakers bread
in the cupboard; he paraded that
and called his guests to dinner.
+ A quisical smile spread over Mrs.
Fidgct's face at the sight Of the
repast. Kieth was in a cold per-
spiration.
MA, my plates all greasy, and
SOS my knife. can't eat on dirty
dishes, " cried little Johnny Fidget.
"And my frock is wet all over
with water that's dropping off
the table cloth; and my tater amt
billed, = cried little Jane Fidget.
A slight noise in the kitchen drew
the attention of Mr.. Kieth. cs
'.Jupiter!" cried he. ''if Mrs.
O Flaherty's dog amt making off
with my steak!"
He jumped from the table and
started in hot pursuit. The dog
m.do tho bost of ~. Kiath'ar unao.