Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-09-25
NO. 22s.
Gales aud Sketehes.
HETTY'S DOUGHNUTS.


The long rays of the afternoon sun
slipped in at Mrs. Baxter's open door,
danced gaily over the spotless floor of the
ample kitchen, darted in and out for a
moment or two among the highly polished
tins which stood in orderly rows on the
dresser. and then suddenly plunged into
Hetty's heavy braids, and nestled there,
as ii they had at last found what they were
seeking. and had no wish to wander more.
They could not well have found fairer
resting place than those same rich braids,
red in the shadow and gold in the sun, I'M
less they had chosen the long dark lashes,
or the roguish dimple, or the soft pink
checks, or the rosy lips. But no! the lips
would have constituted but an uneasy rest
ing place, for they were in tolerabiy con-
stant motion. Not that any one who
heard Hetty Morris speak would have
wished her to be silent: still, silent she
seldom was-at least in her waking hours.
At the moment when the sunbeams first
pointed her out to us. as she stood at the
great table rolling out dough, her sleeves
fastened up, and her round white arms
here and there dabbed with flower scarce
ly whittier, she was softly talking to herself.
''Dear me! shall never get these mis-
| cradle doughnuts done by tea-time," she
was saying, as she cut off strip of dough
and gave it an airy twist; land that hor-
rid fat gets hotter and hotter every minute.
The last two kettefuls are utterly ruined"
"lf that is utter ruin,'" remarked
masculine voice, 81 am willing to take it
off your hands. Pass me the pan, Miss
Hetty." And the vines trailing over the
east window were gently moved aside,
and dark curly head, adorned with two
| n IN nrnnnpdod fn tpco rf -
self into the open window, as if a portrait
had suddenly pushed its way into its
frame.
Hetty tossed her Aead. mo l thank
you, Mr.. Kennedy" said she. with another
twist of the light dough. Uncle Baxter
knows to doughnut how many there
should be in batch and if there were
one missing should suffer for it,"
"Oh, nonsense p said her companion.
''He is not so bad as that. Tell the truth,
Hetty, and it is you who grudge me the
poor satisfaction ofa solitary cake. Never
mind. There's good time coming soon,
when they will be everyday affairs with
me-"
"What do you mcan?' asked Hetty,
pausing with her fork in her hand
"What should | mean, except that am
thinking of getting married? ?" returned the
young man in the window, brushing off
shaving as he spoke.
"Oh--I hadn't heard" observed his
companion, returning with supreme in
difference to her rolling-pin.
Haven't you? | am surprised at that"
was the reply. "for it has been all over
town for the last fortnight"
81 wish that you were not so fond of
those silly jokes, Frank said Hetty de-
cidcdly ca4
81 will agree to abandon the habit from
this time forth for evermOre," he replied
looking very handsome and penitent
that is, if you will give me certain
slight token that | am forgiven"
Hetty drew near to the window
What shall it be ?" she asked, with a
deepening blush and very encourag ging
smile.
"If you love me, my dear. bestow upon
me that crusty doughnut which adorns the
top of yonder pile" he responded theatri-
cally, striking an attitude as he spoke. q
Hettys heels clicked expressively as
she walked to the pantry door, her head
high in air.
"Help Yourself" she said briefly.
''Thanks !" responded Frank, reaching
a long arm in at the window and over to
the big table. 1T is more convenient
than thought. could easily carry away
the whole painful"
No reply.
"Hetty, are you vexedP' ~
A dead silence. 8gt
Come here, little girl, aud give me
better token of forgiveness se.-
Help YOURSELF, was the demure re-
sponse.
With an agile spring Frank perched up
on the window. sill. when from the upper
regions a voice, clear and sharp, made
itself heard in the succinct inquiry.
Cakes done, Hetty?"
"Yes, Aunt. Do you want me Pr asked
the girl, darting to the door.
Come up" was the reioinder; and
Miss Hetty, looking triumphantly back as
she attained a secure position in the door,
way, had the satisfaction, dear TO her ms
chievous heart, of beholding a discomfitted
countenance disappear from the window,
as Mr.. Frank Kennedy dropped down
on the outside. The vines rustled for an
instant, and then were still. Hetty closed
the door. and the sunbeams and the huge
pan of doughnuts had the big kitchen all
to themselves.
Mrs. Baxter sat examining chestful OF
wooden clothes, in the cool solitude OF the
north chamber.
"Those pesky moths have got in here,
after all :" She remarked, as her neice en-
tered the room. "Look at that. now;"
and she exposed to view an ancient gar.
ment completely riddled with small holes.
..You Just sit down here, Henrietta, and
sort out all the stockings into that basket
bv themselves. You'll have Just about
time before you set the supper table,
uetty sat down as directed. and was
soon deep in musty heap of stockings
and ilannels.
There's Will Lowry going by said
her aunt, pausing moment in her oceu-
patton and glancing out of the open case
nent. Il must ask him about Aunt Elizy. 8,
Good evening, William" she called, lean
ing over the SILL and addressing good
looking broad-shouldered young fellow
who was passing the gate. s'How's all
the folks, particularly your aunt Elizy?"
"All the folks are well. except Aunt
Eliza. and she's BETTER" replied the young
man, pausipg in his walk and leaning on
the gate, as if quite willing to prolong the
interview. Aunt Martha is going to have
IL