Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-07-29

luck in odd numbers You know-be APP
pointed as judges propose that we
have music and readings. and at the end
announce the prizes and pass round the
cake. Lemonade will provide
/ But, said Bob, 'syou have made no
provision for tickets Is it to be free"
mo. We will have limited number
of tickets at a dollar apiece, and the sur
plus money shall buy flour for the poor
widows of the town"
| clapped my hands and danced about
Uncle Seth, and kissed him, and told him
he was the most splendid uncle that ever
was made, but that two weeks was too
short time for me to practice.
Rob laughed at this, and expressed the
desire that would not give the family the
benefit of my experiments in the mean
time, as he had too fresh recollection of
asking for bread and receiving stone,
once upon time. That was only too
true; but he played baseball with the
| biscuit and won the game for the first
time, so he had no right to complain.
Then mamma-dear, practical mamma
reminded Uncle Seth that he had not
limited the age, and asked if she was to be
| permitted to try for the prizes.
| Therel did forget that he said. at
shall be open to girls under twenty. |
think it would be rather discouraging to
the younger ones to see proofs of skill like
yours placed in comparison with THEIRS
And this was the way that our cooking
match was planned.
| The long-wished-for evening came at
last as all wished-for evenings come, five
only wait; and only one addition had been
made to Uncle Seth's plan, and that was
| that those who sent in contributions should
be admitted free.
The hall was beautifully trimmed with
evergreens and Mayfowers; the tables
were covered with snowy white cloths,
and each had pretty centerpiece of
| 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 i'm the hail. but the peo-
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. l know he will before
Christmas, though. Bob never keeps up
a quarrel with us through the month of
December.
Just here | must tell you a little bit of
a conversation / heard between Uncle
Seth and mother the night before the cook
ing match:
u think you have planned a capital
thing, Seth, to interest the girls in cook
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. / heard
young lady say the other day that she was
to go 10 housekeeping in week and do
her own work, but she never had cooked
anything in her life but chocolate cara
mels."
yes" said Uncle Seth, land 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 90
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 a character to IL! Brains can
be of use in cooking as well us 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 piiiaw pronounced Petahf-a decoc-
ton of rice boiled in rich mutton-broth
and tomato-water, and great favorite in
Turkey Helen used to make from the
recipe | brought from ConstantinopleF
No one else could ever do 1t so well as
the people In the East except Helen-my
Helen, you remember, Maria?"
/ had been wondering who this Helen
could be, whom / had never before heard
of; but when he spoke in 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 theirha
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 new idea had
occurred to her, proposed: " Let us taste
it,
"You may" said the first I'D don't
want to. It's something from the shanties,
| 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 10 his chair.
/ What could il be? Whatever il was,
only one woman dared to taste it, and by
universal consent it was put aside.