Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-08

nigbt2 should really like to know what
am 10 do"
He tore his hair in dire pcrplexity
"Pollyw
"Sir9"
what is there in the house for dinner ?"
There's a tongue, sir-and goldfish
and cabbage, believe !"
Bring EN- in, Polly, and III cook EN-
myself. You boil a tongue, don't your
al don't know, SIR
al wish had cook book, groaned Mr..
Verdon, in great tribulation "Anyhow,
you fry ashland cabbage is very good
boiled, with butter Fetch on the frying
pan, Polly, and bring lots Of kindling. I'm
afraid this Goldfish is little tough and dry
conlound the creature how it sticks to the
pan Polly, you set the table while | strip
all the nice, big cabbage leaycs-those little
sprouts aren't any use, down the middle : In
send to the bakers for an apple pie, guess !
wouldn't have Howard and Talboys suppose
we didn't keep professed cook, for any mon
ey If Cathie we're only at home :"
Mr., Verdon dropped the cabbage leaves
one by one, meditatiyely into the pot as he
spoke.
Sure, sir !" interposed the staring hand
maiden, misss always washes them first"
Washes 'em ?" calculated Mr.. Ward.
"'What's the use of that, when the pot is
half full Of water But women always
20 to work by the hardest. Give US that
tongue, Polly, and a sharp knife, | suppose
the plaguy thing has got to be skinned. Hal
loo I"
Mr.. Verdon uttered an agonized howl as
the knife slipped, inAicting a disagreeable
cash on his hand He tied it up with his
pocket handkerchief, and went on with his
rather difficult job.
There he exclaimed triumphantly, jamming
the tongue down among the cabbage leaves
that's done But I'm afraid my fish is quite
old, It doesn't fry at all iavorably. Perhaps
ought to grease the PAM
He took the fish out by the tail and anoint-
ed the Kissing pan literally with butter,
then set the establishment on the fire once
more.
But Just as he was bending over the fire,
his sleeves turned back, and his countenance
dripping with perspiration, there was a sud-
den sibilation and an upward blaze the but
ter had taken fire, so had Mr.. Verdon's hair
and shirt sleeves.
| 1luthlll nc ndu nIthtuNt VI Hlluu tuDuHu W
dip his face and arms instantaneously in the
pail of water that stood in the sink and at
the moment that he stood there scorched and
/, dripping, with singed hair and no coat, over
the highly favored ruins Of the luckless cod
fish Polly threw the kitchen door wide open
and announced
9 Please sir, two giutlcmen."
And Messrs. Howard and Talboys entered,
considerably surprised at the state of things
before them.
90 Haloo :" exclaimed Mr.. Talboys
Why, what's the matter Verdou ?" que
ried Mr. Howard. Not a case of spontane.
Gus combustion, eh ?"
: While Alexander, scarlet and confused
l fumbled vainly for the linen cuffs, garnishod
} with gold sleeve buttons, that had blazed into
: light cinders long ago
I-I--he stammered Very stupid of the
. girl to bring you down here--I just came
down for a glass Of water let me escort yor
up stairs"
He preceded his guests up the marrow
I stairway, blissfully unaware Of the ash-be
u sprinkled neither garments and sooty counte
! nance that gave his friends such task t
70 keep their countenaDces.
Excuse me one minute gentlemen" he
Is said, growing hot all over, as he caught 1
glimpse of himself in the parlor mirror, anC
, lodged out to renovate his toilet, mutterinj
. : to himself, " What has become of Cathio
+" I'd give hundred dollar note if she wer
here"
- . As he issued once more from his room,
II soft, familiar voice sounded on his ear, an'
,y his heart gave great bound of delight
Cathie had returned Yes, she had returne
III in very truth, and was in the parlor at tn
;, instant, talking to his friends
, Cathie ?" he whispered, holding the doc
10 ajar "Cathie ?"
But she was too busy descanting on tn
10 merits of some Pro- Raphaelite artist to pa
>, any attention to her husbands husky summonl
III 4" It's burning, Cathie !' he whispered, com
Y ing into the room, and gently twitching he
sleeve. smell the cabbage quite plainly.
But Cathie never stirred, nor broke off i
her pretty, enthusiastic chatter.
Z" | think ought to have CREASED the il
CT side of that pot" thought Mr.. .Verdol
no Nothing but tongue and cabbage for dinner
And Howard boards at the Cosmopolitan an
ne Talboys keeps u French cook What wi
Oh they think 2 Cathie, say, it's almost thr'
O'Clock !"
Dinners ready" ejasllated Miss Poll,
ne ostentatiously throwing open the door.
s' Dinner ioaS ready, as Mr.. Verdon found
ID his cost, as he and Talboys followed Mrs. We
n don and Mr., Howard into the diningroom whei
u upon greasy table-cloth reposed the skinnC
ay tongue, with one side nearly calcined, and
handful Of burned cabbage-leaves, forming
green island in the centre Of a mammoth platte
There was half loaf of bread, and sooty p
of butter aud a tall tin cofee-pot where
Polly had brewn a muddy and villanous mi
ie' turc that she fondly iancied to be coffee.
ns Alexander Verdon looked with eyes
III piteous appeal to his wife.
W. Cathie, perhaps these gentlemen wouldl
ne object to waiting until--ahem-our Coz
'u' could prepare more eatable repast 2'
" It's very nice, I'm sure" said Oatherir
looking dreamingly straight before her.
ME "Very good indeed" said Mr.. Talboys
nd "Oh, excellent !" chimed in Howard
Oh, And after all" resumed Cathie, {" i
ha of very little consequence what we eat
drink, as long as the higher cravings of t
10 intellectual nature are satisfied"
re- Mr.. Verdon coughed obviously, and beg
CT, to carve the tongue, vowiIg never again to
M 'na vite company when Oathe was occupied
e'' cultiyating her mind.
ice ,. The gentlemen played with their teaspoo
81 and dallied with their forks but neither
ne them essayed a second mouthfll Of tong
cabbage or coffee. Mr.. Verdon noticed Il
eht fact with deep modification.
yo' You don't cat anything, Howard"
=, "Oh, I've dined very heartily, asst
INC you" responded Mr.. Howard.
up " Have little more Of the tongue, T
slp boys"
ht' "No more, thank you" returned Talbo,
spasmodically holding on to hisp plate. "Ho
ard think we have an engagement at four
net If our charming and intellectual host
IRIS will excuse us7" said Howard, bowing col
s"O teously.