Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-08-13
Punctuality and Pudding.

These were the small daughters Of Farmer
Ellis, who lived in dear little white house
in a valley. Punctuslity was the elder and
Pudding the prettier. Now. the father Of
these maidens was not so rich but that he
might have been richer nor so poor but that
he might be poorer.
Mrs Ellis performed her own domestic
labor, and early taught Puutcuality and
Pudding to assist in the lighter household
duties. Thus the dumplings came to receive
their more suggestive than euphonious names
As they advanced to proper age, they alter
mated in preparing the family meals, and
their father observed that when the elder
managed affairs the meals we're exactly on
time, but rather plain and when the prettier
guided the helm they we're invariably a little
late, but were prepared in the daintiest man
ner possible, and followed by most delicious
dessert So he came to call them by the
names at the head of this story. When they
became young ladies, these traits Of charac-
ter were still prominent.
Punctuality - true to her name - was
prompt in everything in rising at school,
in her engagements. But though always
neat, she never wore her garments with the
grace of Pudding though good cook, she
never could concoct the delicious little mess
es of Pudding. 1t was Pudding who gar
nished the house with various pretty faucies |;
who crocheted tides, made card eases, brack-
cts, moss vases and crosses; who gave the
little home an air of refinement and even
elegance. Punctuality adored Pudding and
literature Pudding worshiped Punctuality,
art and music. In course Of time, it came
to pass that Punctuality married a city editor,
while Pudding welded an artist. On enter
ing the home of the former one would be
impressed by the air Of cozy comfort that
reigned. All was bright and cheerful, not a
book or chair out Of place. There was Ii
brary-a library full Of books-periodical
and manuscripts 10 here, by the mellow
light of the student-lamp, one might see, on
almost any evening, Punctuality and her
husband, with bowed heads close together
he writing an editorial that was to be the talk
OF the clubs next meeting, she leaning over
a story for her husbands paper.
The home Of the other sister seemed par
adise. The sweet breath Of flowers filed bel
parlor, bird.music rppled through the house
Steinway piano and cabinet organ graceC
the music-room, pretty nick -nacks wer'
scattered here and there, and perfect artistic
taste prevailed throughout all.
In harmony with the house was its mistress
always daiDtily attired, and picture o
grace in the eyes Of her artist.husband. Thi
gentleman remarked to his wife one day, a
they viewed a recently -completed picture
"My love, am certainly glad l married
you and not your sister, She is an excellen
woman, but what sort Of figure would sh'
make as my wife ? And then her dinners
always good, but never exquisite IL ha'
rather wait an hour for dinner than miss the
dessert prepared by your own hands. Then
while she has good taste, she could never aid
me in my art as you do"
But Punctuality's husband took a momen
one evening to raise his head and say;
"Punctuality, my dear, Just suppose haC
married your sister Not much sympathy
in my editorial work from her, nor mucl
company 10 here, Tor know she could mo-
tear herself away from her music aud paint
ing. But to you, | believe this little den
dearer than to myself, even. And imagin
Inc waiting half an hour for dinner !"
Here the editor overpowered by that las
thought, put down his head again to write a
editorial on "Conjugal Compatibility" An
nothing was heard but the scratching OF tw
busy pens. PATIENCE DARE