The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-11-17

it as would.
Completely disgusted with the glu-
tinous pile that clung viciously to ev-
erything it came in contact with and
crawled to each side of the board, as
if anxious to get away from itself, l
stood, and eyed it savagely, and won
dered what should do next?
:" will tumble it into the pan," /
said to mIself, "and perhaps it will
be bread! l like new bread"
But this was a feat easier contem-
plated than accomplished. The board
was covered with tho abominable
stuff, and every particle stuck like
melted wax but, by dint of poking,
pushing and dragging, the greater
part was finally Transferred to the
pan; and then, with thoughts of a
warmer place, I sent it to the oven,
and turned to clearing up the debris.
With a cloth and some warm wa
ter commenced with the board, or
rather with the plaster that covered
it; but the water soon looked like
milk, and the cloth soon refused to re-
main in my fingers, so encased was it
with slime.
Another ring! Confusion! Must
everybody get sick on this unlucky
day, of all Others?
1 wiped my hands as well as ]
could, although shreds of that detes-
table dough clung to them, and went
to the door. .... |t-j. H..
No call from patients this time, but
from Mrs. Dossel and her beautiful
daughter, who resided in an adjoin-
ing county, and having occasion to
pass through our village by stage, had
called to see my mother and sisters,
with whom they were intimately ac-
quainted. s.'..,.,., ri.
l could not shut the door in their
faces. and Invited them to the parlor,
and then stood, staring helplessly at
them, and wondering why they did
not do something? The younger one
looked at me, as if she half suspected
was an escaped lunatic, and as dan
gerous as was dirty; but the elder
lady, with practical woman's pene-
tration, came to the rescue at once.
You are trying to COOK, doctor ?"
she asserted, rather than asked, as she
glanced at my bedaubad fingers, plas
tered garments and flour powdered
face. -e a~ @
GA little," replied, while felt my
face burn like fever patients.
"And are somewhat doubtful of
success?" and she smiled in her own
peculiar manner. ah
thought of that moulding board,
and wished my visitors in Jericho.
She seemed to read my thoughts by
intuition, and said, with decision
not; to be bequestioned: shall claim
your hospitality for myself and daugh-
ter until tomorrow, as the stage will
not pass before; and as / am so con-
ceited as to think | can cook better
than you, will you please allow me to
prepare the meals while l remain 2"
l thought of that mummy-looking
loaf in the oven, and chill followed
my fever. But what bright thought
presented itself. E
While they were unrobing and
washing in the guest chamber would
make way with it beyond the ghost of
a chance of post mortem examina-
ton that is, if it had the same appear
ance as when last saw it. .lsHtsi'-'i.
1 accordingly expressed my pleas
ure-may the recording angel be mer-
oiful land escorted them to their
room; and then, with few words of
welcome, left them to hurry to the
board, rolling-pin, and every bedaub-
ed thing but myself, into the wood
shed; and finished by taking the
shrunken leather colored loaf, and
burying it in the garden. dad
This accomplished, Ireturned to the
kitchen, where Mrs. Dossel soon join
ed me, with her dress caught up. and
her sleeves pinned up with an eye to
business,
She asked few questions as to the
whereabouts of certain articles, and
then limited very strongly that che had
no more use for me. l understood,
and went to my room, where the mis-
cradle, dirty, forlorn wretch who
glared at me in the glass did more to
cure me of self-conceit, than three
hours lecture from another could have
done, Hi ~
A bath, change of garments, and the
use of a nail-brush changed my out
ward appearance somewhat, and 1
joined Mrs. Dossel in the parlor, with
a faint perception of my own inden-
tity,
An hour later we were summoned
to her. Wonderful! That meal will
always be mystery to mel
White cloth, spotless queensware,
shining silver, snowy biscuit, thin,
wine colored dried beef, crisp radish-
es and handsomely moulded butter,
all scanned to have slipped into their
appropriate places, as if my mothers
hand had guided them. Even cake,
small, but of featherly lightness was
quiyering, warm from the oven: I
did not cease to wonder, while the
meal progressed, and did the honors
like all overgrown school boy. Nor
was my wonder lessened when, a lit
tie while after, I made All excuse to
60 to the pantry, and found that
nightmare of a moulding board and
rolling-pin clean and dry in their
places. ......r-. -,
Toward evening Mrs. Dossel pro-
1 posed walk to the bank of the river,