Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-10-02

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excuses for the non-appearance of her
uncle's favorite delicacy, none of which
would do in the least, and in the midst
of which she heard his rough voice in
the kitchen.
supper ready
"All ready" she answered, family,
from the depths of the pantry and
hastily cutting several thick slices OF
gingerbread, she hurried out and took
her seat at the table.
What time did Frank go:" inquired
her uncle of nobody in particular, at
the same time heaping his plate with
meat and vegetables.
Hetty said nothing, and her aunt re-
piled,
somewhere between five and six; l
don't know exactly"
"Did he get through with that door
before he WENT" demanded the grufi
voice again.
"Ie did, replied Aunt Baxter,
concisely. Hetty breathed more freely.
What that fellow does with his time
is more than ! know growlcd Uncle
Baxter. "Its lucky for him he's work
ing bv the job. or he'd hear a piece of
my mind"
Farmer Baxter's "womenkind," as
he was wont courtcously 10 term the
ladies of his family, understood his
ways, and usually passed over his
ebullitions of temper in silence, know
ing that he would doubtless eat him.
self into better humor in due course.
Il believe he spends half his time
gossiping with the women" he con-
tlnued, rightly surmising that the sub
ject was distasteful To his wife and
niece, and therefore doggedly pursuing
it, Has he been in here this after
noon, Icnrietta:'
mo, Sir" replied Iicity, boldly,
though recollection Of Franks part
ing attitude came over her guiltily as
she spoke.
We'll, just see that he don't, then;
and you tend to your work" was the
surly rejoinder; and the old man sub
sided into a discussion of his dish Of
greens.
For a few moments silence reigned
about the table. Aunt Baxter, with
the policy induced by long experience,
remaining mute. and Ileity because
her angry tears choked her utterance.
Presently q subdued conversation com
mcnced and was for some time carried
on in an undertone between aunt and
niece. Suddenly came the awful ques-
ton, which had all the time been hang
ing like doom over poor Hettys
head.
Where's the doughnuts =
They were just done, and quite
hot" replied iietty, flushing crimson.
The gingerbread is fresh, and l
thought you would just as lief have it
tonight
You know better" amiably return
Ell Uncle Baxter. Just you step quick
and get some"
Hetty mechanically rose to obey,
when her aunt quietly observed:
at seems pity TO let the ginger
bread dry; but presume Aunt Sam
an,hy will be glad of it,
Aunt Samaathy won't get it, then,
that's all" returned her lord and mas
ter, quite unconscious that this was
precisely the response she wished and
expected. "Sit down, Henrietta, and
another time don't cut gingerbread
when there's fresh doughnuts in the
house."
So that danger was over but in pro-
portion as her fear of her uncle's dis
pleasure passed away her indignation
against Frank Kennedy increased.
She could not readily forgive him the
scolding she had received or the more
formidable one size had escaped.
IL think I'll run up to grandmas,
said Aunt Baxter, the next day, rs
they left the dinner-tablc, III you can
clear away the things alone
"Oh can do that easily enough"
replied Hetty, with alacrity, for the
poor child had been planning all the
morning how she could get an oppor-
tunity to replace that dreadful missing
dish.
VERY WE'LL" said her aunt; land if
you want something TO do. You might
sort the rest of those fannels."
Il want 10 gather my dress skirt"
said Hetty, family, blushing as she
did SO for the deception.
swell, don't care, so you're not
idle > and Aunt Baxter walked heavily
and respectfully out Of the gate, adorn-
ed with her Sunday bonnet and her
best mantilla.
No sooner did the gate click behind
her than Hetty fell to work with the
greatest energy. Eggs were beaten,
spice measured, sugar and shortening
weighed, and worked into the dough
which had been surreptitiously rising
behind the pantry door since morning.
The fat was tested, and the strips of
the soft yielding mass speedily reap
peared in crisp, brown twists piled up
&, a lo.-o rollo,, l;.h ,ul.:ul Ii