National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-09-14

Eating here, and the total absence
of servants. did not surprise me. for
numerous novels had impressed up
on my mind the fact that this was
the custom OF the cOHRtrY : but !
was unprepared for Aunt Fanny's
start and Jerry's widely opened eyes
as ! came in.
Why. Amy, You're Il perfect pic
ture ! said Gerald. Amt that
pretty gown, mother !.
" hat the use OF dressing up SO
smart, just for tea at home ? said
my aunt.
] glanced at my simply made
white dress, and wondered what
they would say to my more stylish
bdregcs and grenadines. but only
thanked Gerald for his compliment.
and let his mothers remark pass un-
answered. Johnny cake. found.
was mixture of Indian meal with
other ingredients, and particularly
npalatable from Superabllndance
of salt. Gerald complained loudly.
but a hint OF headache from his
mother Si!enced him. or rather turn
ed his grumbling to a tender care
of her. which was very touching.
Mother suffers very much. Amy
he said to me: yon will find her
aiIing most Of the time. but | hope
y0u will overlook any Deficiencies.
| answered politely and the sub
.ject dropped.
As soon as tea was over Gerald
asked me to walk over the farm with
him. and. as | pleaded fatigue, ne
took some chairs out to the porch.
and We sat there chatting until nine
o'clock, when my aunt called me in.
and | found this was the usual bed
time at Davy's Corner. was very
tired. and. i'll spite OF the novelty
of my position. slept soundly.
Amy! Amy!
II seemed about thcmiddle Of the
night when this call and a most ell
ergetic shaking reused me.
Amy said my aunt, it is five
O'Clock. and Jerry has gone down.
Well = | said, Sleepily.
You're Younger than am. You
GET up FIRST and pat the kettle on:
by that time III come down
But, Aunt Fanny'-l began.
Come hurry. Jerry is whi>tl,ng.
and that's Il sign he wants his break
fist.
got up slowly, wondering what
| was expected 30 do next, and be
gan to dress myself.
"Mercy on me don't stop to curl
your hair; tnch it mp anyhow
twisted nv curls into roll and
put on black net. and then took
tucked skirt and wrapper from my
trunk.
Bless my heart. you amt a 80
ing to put on that fixed up thing to
get breakfast ?
Get breakfast! Get breakfast
!. who, to my shame be it spoken,
hardly knew a coffee pot from a fry
ing pan. thought of my fathers
elaboratcly prepared table, and won
der \, for the first time. how hot
rolls. steaks, eggs. and coffee were
made: if had been informed that
they all grew, ready cooncd on Il
tree, could not have brought one
item of actual experience 10 contra
diet the assertion.
Get breakfast My French lawn
wrapper must return 70 The trunk;
but the thicker materials were ruff
cd and trimmed. open from the waist
and required embroidered skirts. so.
in the plaincst Of them, | earned my
aInt'S contcmptuolS comment
Fixed off to killr
'What must do inquired I'M
til You come down 2
Well. ! sha'n't he down yet q
while my head aches. Just make
the coffee, and boil some eggs, and
fry some slices of ham you'll find
bread in the closet
Boil fry. coffee ! started down
stairs. Jerry was in the kitchen.
Where's mother 2
Got the lcadacher | answered.
shortly enough.
We'll, Eve made the fire. and
and'-Gerald was eyeing my wrap
per, and the embroidery on the skirt,
: and the kettle is on but--hut'--
well ? | said. laughing now.
" Amt she coming down at all 2
No, I'm to boil a ham and
'What !
No, boil an egg and fry ham
Whatr
well its boil. and fry. and eggs,
and ham, and that's all can tell
YOU
But, Amy
'Stop. LET me finish. J am fresh
from a boarding school, aud, rs we
have Il housckeeprr, and plenty Of
servants, never boiled or fried any.
thing in my life /; but ! am not too
old 20 learn. and if aunt Fanny is
sick, why III try now, only mind. sir,
if You laugh at me, III retire from
service and return TO New York.
Where is the hamr
Bravo! What spunky little
fashion plate yon are. Ain't-it's
none of my business, to be sure
but won't those trimmings and the
holes in your pctticoat suffer in the
boiling and irying operations =
.S'posc they will. Never mind I!
well, I'll get the ham and slice it
for you, and bring in some eggs, and
then You must release me until |
A Al.