The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-05-10

and plate, and we will chat afterward."
"No, thank you. Icannot stop minute" {"
Mamma opened her eyes in astonishment.
"4ou are not going to walk directly back
again? Let me take your shawl"
"But must go. We are going to have
company TO dinner. Franks chum. And
[ want to know how long to boil potatoes
and other"
Such chorus of laughter as interrupted
me. "Why, my dear child, boil them till
they are done"
know as much as that, mamma; but
when must begin them to have them done
at the right time? have got peas to cook
and beef-stealI, and ought to make Il pud-
ding. Oh, dearr p
They all laughed again, as much at my
distressed looks as at my ignorance did
not join them; indeed, it was as much as
could do to keep back my tears.
1t is not Ilattie's fault that she knows
so little about cooking" at last said nv
father, kindly: "You must not mind our
laughing at you my dear. I have been
longing to ask what you put into that
mince-pie that cat at your table last Sun
day? have tasted it ever since. But
will not tease you, for have no doubt that
you will in time, he as good cook as your
mother. And now as it regards the pres
ent difficulty" he went on pleasantly, "I
have II plan to propose. | will put the har-
ness on old Fanny, and you, mother, can
take the poor child home and stay TO super
intend this dinner"
Mamma always assents to papa's plans {;
so my load of responsibility was gone at
once. II was pleasant to see the look of re-
lief on my husbands face as we drove up
to the door. 'tI have been searching every
where for you," he said, "and | could al
most find it i'll my heart to scold you for
causing me so much anxiety; but your safe
return satisfies me. Especially as your ex-
cursion has brought your mother to aid us
in our extremity. But, Hattie, must in
sist on your having no more private walks"
"Ah, sir If you had known, you would
have forbidden it. That would have spoiled
ALL"
have no doubt that Mr.. Knowles left us
that day, under the impression that my
husband had secured matrimonial prize.
But felt like a hypocrite for weeks after
ward.
| 1t came to pass, after many days, that
bakers bread became uncomfortable. Itried
to believe in it, praised and tasted il but
it would not do. It's glory had departed.
/ began heartily to approve of Pharaoh's
course in lifting the head of the chief ba-
ker from off his shoulders and hanging him
upon IL tree; but ] saw no way. out of my
trouble. ] had tried many times to raise
bread, but had not succeeded in making
any fit to appear on the table. ] had a
triile better success in making some milk
biscuit, though ! could never guess right in
regard TO the amount of soda requircd.-
Sometimes they were yellow enough TO be
mistaken for nuggets of virgin gold; hut
oftener they had the appearance of having
been hardened and compacted in cheese
press. My husband pretended that they
were passed through heavy rollers like
those used in foundries. At FIRST tried TO
work the cold biscuit into puddings and
griddle cakes, but their peculiar soidity
frustrated all such attempts TO economizc.
But when the case appeared perfectly hope
less | had still one resource. There was a
wide ditch behind the garden, and in it's
dark waters | buried my biscuit out of my
sight. Inexperienced girls should never
commence housekeeping without convent
ent ditch at hand. But my troubles did
not end here In an evil hour, ncighbors
hen Matched big brood of ducklings,
! which, in due time, found their way TO my
/ cache Of provisions. The biscuit, so long
in soak, now had a resurrection, and re-
member watching the poor fowls as they
vainly attempted to divide them with their
strong bills
! "My dear Hattie" said my husband, one