The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-30

but afterwards, in the peace of other thoughts,
bearing no impress of my present troubles, my
way seemed made plain before me, and the very
next Gay put in practice my theory.
| had been accustomed TO rise OILY Just IN
time for O'Clock breakiast. consequently
my boy was brought down into the room
unwashed and untidy, and in the same room all
his washing apparatus ana dresslng-geaI were
ance: but as fire IN another room would have
been necessary, or ] must have gone down to
Bridgets kitchen, the point was gwen up On
this morning ] rose without awakening my
husband, at Z, much TO the surprise of Bridget.
NV baby was fed, washed, and dressed and
put on my bonnet and shawl, and TOOK him into
the garden for half an hour. He soon fell
asleep, for children are always awake with the
birds. l then brought him in, and laid him in
his cot, and had every trace of his abutions
removed | certainly felt weary and faint, but
the old adage of "Practice makes periect
occurred to me.
II was the resolution which this proverb in
spired that, when found myself 80 wearied with
my early and unusual work, kept me from com
plant, when my husband came down, much
surprised at the change SO visible in the morn
ings arrangements. The tea was made, the
water boiling, the bacon smoking hot, and the
child asleep IN his cot ready dressed for the
day, making so perfect q picture that 1t is re-
called now with pleasure. Frederick looked
surprised, but forbore remark; he felt sure it
was only freak; tomorrow things would revert
to their usual course. have since found that
preston in his lace, also was silent, and talked
az ii the new arrangement had been no more
than usual.
helped Bridget with her work, much to her
wonder She protested against any need of
help but persisted, and when we had finished,
''Now, Bridget" said !, when baby woke and
was ted, put on your bonnet, you shall carry
baby, and will walk with you into lslington;
there is no fear of any one coming; it will not be
post-time till o'clock. will tell your master
that we are going"
merely said, II am going to Islington with
Bridget to get some things l want; no one is
likely to come while we are gone.'
Our walk was pleasant one; the baby was
awake the whole time, and was quiet and re-
freshed. In an hour we had returned to home
and its dutes-Bridget somewhat bewldered,
for heard her say as she descended the stairs,
''Whats come to the mlsss now N
In turtherance OF the uneXpressed plan had
laid down, l was determined to learn every
thing ] possibly could in the way OF cooking.
Bridget's was p-hazard way Of proceeding;
sometimes the food was well dressed, but
Oftener very inditferently so; some system
thought there must be, and this l was deter
mined to find out. The invaluable and eXpe-
rienced services of our old Maggie al home had
precluded the necessity OF my being instructed
In the culinary art; but now how could Bridget
help me, even if she were disposed, which
much doubted? Her temper was peculiar; she
disliked interference and being found fault
eyes, perfection, no matter how palpable were
the failures: Sure an it's the fire won'C burn,n
or, 'The weathers heavY," or the fault was in
everything or person but herself. Certainly
this was untractabe material from which to
extract golden knowledge, but in the absence OF
better this must be done. She could boil pota-
toes and meat well-this was something 10
begin upon, certainly; so in the afternoon,
while baby was sleeping, l made my appear
ance in the kitchen for the purpose OF finding a
particular cup, which | knew to be in my own
room. Bridget was, as | expected, peeling the
potatoes. why do you take two waters to
wash them I'M" asked.
Because they wouldn't be white if didn't"
'Oh! see," said L; 'you peel potato, then
wash it in one water, then throw it into the next
directly. Yes, they do look very white. All
and all the dirt is washed off first before you
peel them"
Sure, an wouldn't be making ye ate the
"Doyou cover them with hot or cold water
when you boil them ?" asked, still carefully
feeling my way.
be drowned, poor things, and wouldn't be at all
maly; and If / was to put billing water on 'em
they'd be waxy. l steam em. Ah missis, il
takes time to understand petaty; they don't
like much water"
well, Bridget, have fancy should like
to understand cooking, and you must teach me. ,
"'Tisn't after the likes o. me to tache but
do know little and sure the house is yer own
and ye do as ye place )" and so 1t was settled
L WAS 10 Jake lcSSOue III Cunning lloh DlluSCb
that was the ostensibe object in coming into
the kitchen while dinner was dressing but the
real one was to make experiments, and brins
Bridget round to my way of thinking.
In course of time l succeeded, too, in this
object, but it was long and tedious process.
consulted various cookery books, but they con
tradlcted each other, and, besides, required sC
many expensive ingredients that were beyond
far beyond, our allowance.