Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-06-30
Aunt Malinda.

Lanes kitchen.
..Just see here" he added, pointing
to large rent on the knee of his trows-
ers, ..me and Will Brown were playing
tag, and I fell down and tore this
"Why don't you run home and get
your mother to mend it, johnny" she
said as she did her best to bring the
several parts together.
"Oh, cause mother amt to home
She is gone to the society for clothing
destitute children" ;"
Destitute children !" said Mrs. Lane.
as she surveyed her nephew from head
to foot 'If you don't come under that
class, then never child did. Why, my
dear, you are all rags and tatters."
Il know it, aunt" responded the boy
moodily, '.but it amt my fault. Moth
er says she has no time to mend my
clothes, and if she did they would be
just as bad the next day. SO what's the
use? Father said last night that look
ed like little heather, and he almost
wished l was, for mother would think
was worth looking after little.
"Have you had your supper, Johnny ?
You look hungry"
"No," said the boy, casting a longing
look at a generous piece of pumpkin pie
his aunt was cutting mother left some
cold victuals on the table for father and
me, but"
"Well." interrupted the good woman,
placing the pie upon plate and adding
to it a couple doughnuts she was frying,
and a piece of cheese ''you just take this,
and mind you don't leave a bit of it. !"
John lost no time in obeying his aunt's
peremptory but by no means unpleasant
command, and the contents Of the plate
rapidly disappeared before the energetic
| assault.
II wish mother would stay at home,
just as you do, aunt" he said, as he
opened the door, casting longing look
upon the cheerful. cozy kitchen.
81 declare !' exclaimed Mrs. Lane, as
taking up the rolling pin she resumed
her labors, ..if it isn't shame for Nan
cy to neglect him; l am actually asham-
ed of him, and his mother an active
member of half dozen societies. AS
for brother John, he's clean discouraged,
and | don't wonder at it, | don't be-
lieve he comes to warm supper once a
week. It's my belief that it's woman S
duty first to look after the comforts of
her family, then if she has time to do
for others, we'll and good. Charity ought
to begin at home if she don't stay there. -
''There's aunt Nancy, now. just CON-
ing into the gate" said her daughter
Betsey, as, looking up from the apples
she was pairing, she chanced to glance
out the window.
Indignant as she was, it was not in
good-natured Mrs. Lanes heart to refuse
kindly greeting to her sister in-law
who was evidently too full of her con-
Germs to have noticed any lack of cordi
ality, had there been any,
"How do you do, sister Lane ? how
do you do, Betsey?" she said, seating
herself in the first chair she came to- a.
if quite exhausted, though her keen
bright eyes looked as bright and sharl
as ever.
always cooking. I do declare All
spending SO much precious time in car
ing for the poor perishing body"
''Folks can't live without eating" re
sponded Mrs. Lane a little tartly, a
this remark called to mind what sh
considered her sisters remissness in tn
care Of her family. "Leastways, l hav
not found out any other way of living.
"You always did make nice dough
nuts, Malinda," said Mrs. Shaw, com
posedly helping herself to one.
"These are as light as honey comb,
5 she added, as she proceeded to dispos
of it with evident satisfaction. II don
know when | have made any kind {
4 pastry. Prof Spare, who lectured her
t last winter, said that they were yer
4 unhealthy, entirely destroying the d
4 gestive apparatus %
"Yes, l know responded Mrs. Ian
dryly, husband invited him home I
n tea one day, and could perceive thu
e he had no particular objection to m
r pies and cakes. Indeed. | remembt
= thinking that if that was his ordinar
: way of eating l should not like to /
t the one to cook for him. And, let foil
e say what they may, | never will thin
e that plain, light pastry eaten moderat
/ ly, ever hurt anybody. always let N
/ children have it, and they are as heart
If and robust set of boys and girls as yc
q can find anywhere ; as | am sure the
t, wouldn't be if they were fed on col
d half cooked victuals given to them al
rs way, and just when it happened
se at isn't always the noisiest and fres
i, est Of children that are the healthiest
ii said Mrs. Shaw, helping herself to a
IS other doughnut. Now ! think of it.
IN am certain | can see pimple on Betsey
e, nose-a sure proof Of over-eating al
ne John Thomas is not nigh so strong
=? my Johnny, who is not more than ye