Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-07-12

waited patiently, knowing Oliver would
soon find friend for her to make her
first experiment in her new plan. She
was very careful always about the ap-
pointments of her table, trusting moth
ing to the servant in that department,
so she was not afried of any guest find
ing disorder or neglect there, but Oil
ver's idea of guest dishes had been a
sore trouble TO her. ##
"Amy," he called, about week after
the important conversation recorded,
Will Ferris has come home with me.
Now don't tell me we have nothing fit
to set before him." . ..-
"Can you give me half an hour ?"
Amy asked cheerfully. -. .
"Yes-not more. We are going to
the lodge together" .Ht
"I'll be ready" .....
Oliver beamed with satisfaction, as
he motioned his guest to seat at the
table. A small turkey, Drowned to per-
fection, was the leading dish, various
vegetables, a dainty selection of sauces
and pickles, and a most delightful pie
finished the repast.
"I knew Amy could do it if she
tried" thought Oliver, "and now that
she finds 1 am in earnest, she will man
age to give my friends decent meal,
if they are not heralded twenty-four
hours in advance" ........
Not week later, another friend was
invited on the spur of the moment, ar
irving when the dinner was actually
served. But Amy asked for only few
minutes, and magically there was served
an exquisite repast, perfectly cooked.
Again and again Oliver came home with
friend, and delightful certainty of a
good dinner. Amy never complained
now of his hospitality, gave his friends
a smiling welcome, and Oliver found
home more charming than ever.
Two months passed, and the OCCASION
al friend came very often to dinner.
The slight restraint Oliver had felt was
quite removed by the new and delight
full change In Amy's management and
yet the variety and quality of the COM
pany dishes never failed. But Mrs.
Burton, consulting her account book,
understood that the time was rapidly
approaching when Oliver must under
stand how this magic machinery was
kept in order, must see where the mys-
terious delicacies that appeared so
promptly were procured.
So, one evening, when husband and
wife were enjoying quiet tete-a-tete,
the servant handed in an envelope di-
rected to Mr.. Burton, saying:
THE boy will call in the morning" "
"Boyle!" said Oliver, reading the
printed advertisement in the corner of
the envelope; "why, it is the restau-
rant keeper round the corner"
Yes," Amy said.
But never owed the man cent,
and here is bill," cried Oliver, open
ing the folded paper in the envelope.
"I think you will find it all right, p"
Amy said very calmly, though red
spot burned on each cheek as she spoke.
"All rightl", said the amazed Oliver
the man must be crazy. One turkey
and dressing, five dollars. One lemon
pie, seventy five cents; cranberry sauce,
sweet potatoes and parsnip fritters,
three dollars"
THAT was the day Mr.. Ferris dined
here, said Amy, without looking up.
"One pair of roast ducks, five dol
lars" read Oliver; currant jelly, one
dollar"
"That was the day Mr.. Hill dined
here"
Oliver gave long whistle.
$50 that is the way you did it?"
Yes, dear"
Hum! quails, grouse, chickens"
You did not suppose / procured
and cooked such things at a minutes
notice, did you?" Amy asked demurely.
No-but-"
"You didn't suppose they came down
the chimney ready cooked, like Santa
Claus gifts, did you ?" she asked, still
looking intently at her sewing.
"Well, not exactly that-but-"
You told me was not to mind the
expense"
Yes; but What is the expense p
turning over the paper. "By Jove,
Amy, it is a hundred and twenty-five
dollars"
Yes, that is right. I kept an ac-
count of the items" ...r-
There was long silence. Oliver was
trying to persuade, himself that it was
impossible his habit of promiscuous
hospitality was really so expensive, but
the items stared him in the face, and 8
very slight effort of memory recalled
nearly every dish. Jones had compli-
mented the lobster salad : Smith had
been enthusiastic over the maoyonnai8e
of fowl; Hayward had pronounced this
pate equal. to Delmonico's;l and Curtis
had protested he never ate such pigeon
pie before.
With a deep sigh, Oliver said:
"Since it is all right, suppose ]
must pay it; but-was it quite fair,
Amy, to spring such mine on me
did not realize the expense, it is true
but this. bill coming in SO unexpectedly
will really hamper me terribly" e
No, it won't, Oily. I only wanted
you to understand how expensive and
troublesome it is to have unexpected
company. Only let me know, and ]
will gladly prepare for your friends, al
only small additional expense"
But that won't pay this bill"
No, but this will" And Amy lai6
before her husband three crisp fifty
dollar bills. ~. =
"Why, Amy where did that come
| from ?" aga".
"You have heard me talk of Uncle
Charles, the chaplain ia the navy, who
was away at the time we were mar
ried ?"
"But who came home month or two
ago, you told me-"
eyes but did not tell you that il
the letter he wrote telling me he was a.
fathers, he sent me check for two
hundred dollars to purchase o wedding
present."
"And you have spent more than hal
| in turlY aur on1 uaoaa for n, W F,,;ovJa -,