Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1871-08-31

"We'll have pound cake and pre- erved
blackberries," said Mrs. Darling, who al
WAYS looked at the material side of things.
"And if Harry don't come to terms now,
he never will" added her husband, who
didn't.
"Get out the best china and the chased
silver ted, service, Ursula" said Mrs. Oar.
ling.
And wear your pink French calico,
child; it's the most becoming dress you
have," said her uncle, with loving glance
at the bright little brunette.
And Ursula Percy obeyed both of their
mandates
Miss Bradbury came-a handsome,
snowy young lady, with smooth $50
cicty" manner that made Ursula feel her
self very cDuntrified and common indeed.
delicious preserves, these!" said Miss
Bradbury.
"They arc of Ursula's making" said
Mrs Darling. And Harry Clifford passed
his plate for second supply.
II remember the day they were brewed,
or baked, or whatever it is you call it, !"
Suddenly old DR.. Darling grew purple
in the face, and began to cough violently.
| Every one started up.
Hes swallowed the spoon" cried
"0n. Obi he's got the apople1y!'
screamed Mrs. Darling, hysterically.
"Uncle! dearest uncle!" piped up poor
little Ursula, vaguely catching at glass
of water.
But DR.. Darling recovered without any
more disastrous symptoms.
ut isn't the spoon, and don't come of
an apopletic family" said he "But, upon
my word, this is about the biggest black
berry ever came perilOusly near swallow
iDg!" And he held out his wife's pearl
brooch, boiled up in the b)ackberries!
There was momentary silence around
the table; and then it was broken by Mrs.
Darling-one of those blessed old ladies
who never see an inch beyond their own
specialized noses.
"My goodness gracious!" said Mrs Darl.
ing; ,how could it ever have come into
the preserved blackberries? I-don't-
see"
"But do" said DR.. Darling, looking
provokingly knowing. "Yes; l see a
good many things now that didn't see be
fore"
And Harry, glancing across the table at
Ursula, was somewhat consoled to perceive
that her cheek was a shade more scarlet, il
that were possible, than his own.
He followed the old doctor into his Of
fee when the evening meal was concluded
Ursula did not know how she ever would
have lived through it, were it not for Mrs
| Darling's delightful obtusencss, and Sophy
Bradbury's suriace.c charm of fmanner-and
plunged boldly into the matter.
"Doctor-" he began, valiantly; but
the old man interrupted him.
"There's no need of any explanation,
my boy" he said. II know now why you
didn't want to marry Miss Bradbury. And
| don't say that blame you much; only
| came very near choking to death with
UTsula's blackberry jam!"
And Doctor Darling laughed again until
had his spouse been present, she would
surely have thought second attack OF
apoplexy among the inevitables
Little Ursula!" he added. "Who
would have thought of it? Well, you
shall have my blessing"
The pearls were all discolored, and the
gold of the old fashioned brooch tarnished
with the alchemy of cooking; but Ursula
keeps that old ornament yet, more ten
derly treasured than all the modern knick.
knacks with which her young husband
loads her toilet-table. And every year,
when she preserves blackberries, Dr. OAR
ling comes to tea, and makes ponderous
witticisms, and pretends to search in the
crystal preserve dish for "boiled
brOOch"
But then Jolly old gentlemen will have
their iOkea