The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-04-01
THE SELECT OF CHERRYCRANEY.

AnH OLAGOA VI OhLhh 1CGbAN IL .
Table-cloths were luxury in Cherry
craney. Yet the Ladies of that settlement
had frequent gatherings where the hos
FATALITIES Of that region were dispensed
without ostentation or table-cloths. The
select of Oherrycraney had encouraged
these gatherings, and, no doubt, derived
from them pleasure and profit, too, aside
from the enjoyment of strong coffee, cold
boiled ham and corn-bread.
Sister Doolttle had, upon one oc-
casion, bought moderate quantity of
bleached muslin, and the select had Wis
ions of the customary delicacies spread
upon snowy whiteness. But no prepa-
ration had been made for the arrival of
two young relatives whose sudden adj
vent and imperious requirements ban
ished all thought of table-cloths in the
more urgent calls of infancy.
Having shown a good and sufficient
reason why Sister Doolittle could not
cover her hospitable board with even
bleached muslin, as the select expected,
let us take look at the dear babies.
That privilege was accorded to the
select first, afterward to the unregenrate.
The sisterhood of Cherrycraney were
seated around the supper table. Chairs
were not at hand in abundance, and
stout benches furnished seats on either
side, while Sister Burnem, the elder
wife, occupied an empty nail-keg at the
head of the table.
The only silver teaspoon in Cherry
OlUu0y was ClIe property or sister Doc
little, having descended to her from
some grand maternal relative, and this
spoon reposed in dignity beside the sau-
Ger of Sister Burnem. The elevation of
this spoon was the signal for silence in
the assembled select, at ter which fol-
lowed vigorous and lengthy grace from
either Sister Burnem of some sister des-
ignated by her.
The grace concluded, the select at
once attacked the substantial delicacies
before them. The want of sugar had
been deplored in that community, but
some fertile female brain suggested
honey asa substitute. That discovery
brought sweetness to the coffee and sat,
lsfaction to- the hearts of the select,
With this satisfaction came that greater
female pleasure, endless small talk.
Leaving the select in this state of hap
piness, let us take the proposed look at
the blessed babies.
Both on 'em twins, mister" re-
marked man, whose features, voice,
manner and whole bearing conveyed but
one impression, extraordinary meekness.
lie did indeed raise his eyes meekly to
the visitor for moment, but immedi-
ately fixed them again in patient contem-
plation of his charge.
Two exceedingly small red-faced in
fants lay asleep in cradle peculiar to
'Cherrycraney. An old -four barrel, with
both heads out, furnished a cradle as
soothing to infant nerves as the most
costly production of the cabinet artist.
The cradle was always right-side up, and
the dear babies couldn't fall out and
bump themselves.
Doolittle the meek was permitted to
rock the cradle while the select took tea.
"TOOk coffee r" would be the exact state
ment, but our English has not yet adapt
ed itself to that phrase.
The cradle was being rocked gently by
the meek DoOittle, who, having ven
tured the information that they were both
twins, subsidized into his customary 81
lence.
The visitor gazed in admiration and
silence also. Finally his pent-up feel
ings found words
F." In the whole way from this to Caro-
limo thar'a nOtbin' 70 J,oo+ H.; - ,,
Then he gazed again in silent admira-
ton. Cheated the piety out O. thar
tahle-cloth, too, the little cusses p and
the huge form was moved by visible
chuckle,
"You a-cussin' afore them babies al
ready?" was the stern rebuke of the
mother, who stood by listening 1rnob
served.
The profound regrets and apologies
which followed speedily ,pacified the in
dignant matron, and The visitor was gra-
ciously permitted to kiss the heads Of
the sleeping infants, the faces being too
far inside the barrel for anything else.
Inquisitive persons have already
sought to find the precise locality of
Cherrycraney. It is really and truly a
matter in which idle curiosity should not
be gratifed.
Old French geographers before the
days Of the first empire, on their maps
of Upper Louisiana, traced out the
course of river which they called the
Gascoigne. Later days, with emigration
and settlement, changed Gascoigne to
7.1.--7----.-as: a rrA:l1 z--,Aa;.,.