The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-07-29

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The hall was beaasifally trimmed with
evergreens and Mayflowers; the tables
were covered with snowy white cloths,
and each had a pretty centerpiece oil
flowers; the place for the band was among
the green cedars and flags in the gallery !;
and the platform was ranged with red,
white and blue drapery, evergreens and
candles. There were seats in the center
for the judge and committee of award,
and the steps where the successful young
aspirants were to go up for their prizes
were carpeted with blue and bordered
with pots of white geraniums. The girls
themselves, all with white aprons and
jaunty muslin caps, were to wait upon the
people and pass the lemonade and cake
after the prizes had been given.
| The committee had their room back Of
the hall; and after the commencement OF
the entertainment, when every: dish had
been seen first by the audience, they were
carried to the committee to be inspected.
There were seats in the hall, but the PEG.
pie promenaded as the band played; and
when the readings were given they sat
down and listened. By the way, Bob
wasn't put on the tasting committee, and
he says he shall not forgive Uncle Seth as
long as he lives. know he will before
Christmas, though. Bob never keeps up
quarrel with us through the month of
December.
Just here must tell you little bit of
conversation 1 heard between Uncle
Seth and mother the night before the cook
ing match:
Il think you have planned capital
fhYnD Sofh tn inf s,,s
ing. There has not been such an excite
ment in Riverbanks for months; and that
is branch of housewifery that they all
neglect-at least, nearly all. I heard q
young lady say the other day that she was
to go to housekeeping in a week and do
her own work, but she never had cooked
anything in her life but chocolate cara
mels."
Yes" said Uncle Seth, "and the
worst feature of the thing is that they boast
of their ignorance"
"They won't do that in Riverbanks
now. You have made it the fashion to
cook. But why did you add fancy tea
dishes?'
Because so few women understand
making them, and savory bit for tea is
always appreciated. Something besides
pies and cake, or instead of them-some-
thing with character to it! Brains can
be of use in cooking as we'll as anything
else."
"Calfs brains and pluck ?" asked
mamma, laughing.
No; New England brains and New
England pluck, which all our girls have
If they would only use them. BY the
way, Maria, do you remember that Turk
ish pilla,c pronounced Pelaht-a decoc-
ton of rice boiled in rich mutton-broth
and tomato-water, and a great favorite in
Turkey Helen used to make from the
recipe brought from Constantinople?
No one else could ever do it so we'll as
the people in the East except Helen-my
Helen, you remember, Marias"
l had been wondering who this Helen
could be, whom had never before heard
Of; but when he spoke in a lower tone and
said my Helen, then knew.
While the people were listening to the
music the evening of our match, slipped
into the darkroom to see Uncle Seth. The
committee were buzzing like three great
bumble-bees, and Uncle Seth was looking
on quietly, rubbing his hands and smil-
ing, when, suddenly, the three woman all
stopped chattering and held up their hands
in wonder and horror. At last one of
them spoke: "Whatever in the world is
this mess?''
And then the second spoke: at is
salmon-cOlored." As if that in itself were
sufficient to brand it.
Then the third, as if a new idea had
occurred to her, proposed: Let us taste
it."
"You may" said the first. "Idon't
want to. It's something from the shanties,
l know"
Then Uncle Seth came forward and
looked. You ought to have seen his face.
First he turned red, and then white, and
then went back to his chair.
What could it be- Whatever it was,
only one woman dared to taste it, and by
universal consent it was put aside.
Then went round by Uncle Seth and
said, softly:
What do you suppose it is? A kind Of
witch compound
Eye Of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and owlet's wing,
Nose of Turk and Tartar's lips?'
1T would take the nose of Turk to know
it, or else mine," said he. Bring it here,
Polite. Let me try it. don't want any
of the girls to be disappointed"
And brought it. and he tasted.
Yes it is piAasc," he said. "Just what
| thought. It deserves prize and shall
have it."
I was so curious-so different from girls
generally, you know-that could not re-
sist the temptation of asking: "Who do
you suppose made it,"
l had gone a step too far. I always am
doing that. Uncle Seth looked sober and
turned away without answering ME.
But just then the band began to play
The Watch on the Rhine" and forgot
all about the pailaw and went back into the
hall.
The time of triumph for some Of us had
come. The judge had taken his seat in
the large chair on the platform. How I
did hope my bread would get prize, just
to stop Bob's tongue! But boys are SO
aggravating, and bread is so contrary. 1
knew it wouldn't get the prize, for was
sure that it did not rise quite enough.
Mother says her spirits always rise and
fall with the bread. l was bordering on
when suddenly l was called back to what
was going on about me by the announce
ment of the first prize:
Miss Mary Lawton: Twenty dollars for
the best bread.
Oh! what a thrill she must have felt as
she went up through the flowers with her
eyes sparkling and her blue ribbons wav-
ing. How glad was that she had got it.
To be sure, but never mind
Miss Hettie Smith and Miss Polite Webster:
Five dollars each for the best cake; both
equally good.
And now I was to go up among the
flowers! I was to have prize! It was
lovely to see the others, but-to have
prize ones own self! It is rather nicer,
isn't it, Especially when one hasn't be-
come altogether sanctified-and I can't be
that before Bob goes away to college, l
know.
Miss Martha Felstone: Five dollars for
best fancy dish for tea. .
Then Uncle Seth said: "There is an.
other prize should like to give for the best
fancy dish, but am told that it was left
without name. It is the Turkish pillaso,
which is made to perfection, and as good
as have ever seen IN Constantinople. If
the Young girl who has made this Is in the