Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-02-11
BELLOWS FALLS, VT, FRIDAY,

ed a fortnight, am sure. think
should recognize its bones if / saw them
in Africa. Do you think you could
broil steak, Hattie ?"
"Yes. But, Frank, you must come
; out of the parlor and overlook me. And
il you will get some peas and lettuce,
and other vegetables, l shall get up a
famous dinner"
A half smile fitted across my face.
He had heard Of my famous dinners be-
fore.
Well, we must do our best. The
cars will not arrive till two o'clock, so
there win be plenty of time both for
marketing and cooking
SIS Mr.. Knowles very particular 2"
l asked timidly. "Will he notice if
things go just a little wrong9
perhaps not. But he will have a
!, natural curiosity in regard to the capa-
bilities of his friends wife. But think
| VIC ohaii w fei NSli'
II am sure we shall" was my encour-
aging response, inspired by a bright idea
that suddenly occurred to me. In ac-
cordance with it, my husband had no
sooner started for the market, than I,
slipping on my hat and shawl, started on
a long walk through the fields and woods.
| was going to consult my mother about
the dinner. / surprised her by bursting
into the dining-room quite out of breath
from my hurried walk, just as the fami-
ly were sitting down to late break fast.
Is it Hattie. or her ghost?" asked
my father, getting up to welcome me.
If my memory serves me, our Hattie
used to be late riser"
| Housekeeping improves me, papa"
"Don't wait to talk" said mamma.
"The coffee will be spoiled. Take off
your bonnet, Hattie, while | get another
cup and plate, and we will chat after
ward"
"No, | thank you. cannot stop a
minute" Mamma opened her eyes in
astonishment.
You are not going to walk directly
back again ? Let me take your shawl
"But / must go. We are going to
have company to dinner-Frank's chum
and l want to know how long to boil
potatoes and other
Such a chorus of laughter as inter.
rupted me!
Why, my dear child, boil them till
they are done"
Il know as much as that, mamma
but when must / begin them to have
them done at the right time? have
peas to cook, and beefsteak, and ought
to make pudding. 0 dearl
!, They all laughed again, as much at
my distressed looks as at my ignorance.
did not join them indeed, it was as
m uch as | could do to keep back my
tears.
at is not Hattie's fault that she knows
so little about cooking" at last said my
father kindly. "You must not mind
our laughing at you, my dear. / have
been longing to ask what you put into
that mince pie that / eat at your table
last Sunday have tasted itever since.
But ! will not tease you, for | have no
doubt you will, in time, be as good a
cook as your mother. And now as it
regards the present difficulty" he went
on pleasantly, 81 have plan to pro-
pose. l will put the harness ON old Fan
ny, and you, mother, can take the poor
child home and stay to superintend this
dinner"
Mamma always assents to papa's
plans; so my load of responsibility was
gone at once. 1t was pleasant to see the
look of relief on my husbands face as
we drove up to the door. Il have been
searching everywhere for you" he said,
"and l could almost find it in my heart
to scold you for causing me such ankle
ty; but your safe return satisfies me-.
Especially as your return has brought
your mother to aid US in our extremity.
But, Hattie, must insist on your hav-
ing no more private walks
"Ah, sir, if you had known, you
would have forbidden it. That would
have spoiled ALL
4 / have no doubt that Mr.. Knowles left
us that day, under the impression that
my husband had secured a matrimonial
prize. But l felt like bypocrite for
weeks afterward.
1t came to pass. after many days, that
bakers bread became unendurable.
tried to believe in it, / praised and tasted
it; but it would not dc. Its glory had
departed. ! began heartily to approve
of Pharaoh's course in lifting the head
off the chief baker from off his shoulders
and hanging him upon tree; but saw