The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-07-29
UNCLE SETH'S COOKING.MATCH
BY MARY MORRISON.

Uncle Seth was-why, Uncle Seth!
He was character by himself There
never was anybody like him, and he was
not like anybody.
He was an old bachelor; but he took
care of so many poor widows and father
less children that he seemed more fatherly
and husbandly than my papa, who had
only mamma, Rob and me.
He was very rich, but he lived in such a
plain house and wore such simple clothes,
all out of fashion, that nobody would ever
have known how his gold was piled up in
the bank
Uncle Seth was always thinking; but he
never told his plans until he surprised US
all by something splendid none of us had
ever dreamed Of. But he never wanted
any thanks, only he liked to sit and look
at us and rub his hands as he saw how we
enjoyed it.
"They said" Uncle Seth was "disap-
pointed when he was young. That he
loved pretty, gay young girl, but before
he asked her to marry him he thought he
would go to sea second time, and make
his crown pound" But she, with all her
love and romance, without thought for
the practical part of life-what bother
that is, anyway-thought he did not care
lOI dUNs tlldV SAC LII CIV SSV ~ VI ASA
disappointment the quicker, married his
friend, who stayed at home. "They said'
that the Widow Nelson, who had lately
come to Riverbanks to live with her
daughter, was the very one; but Uncle
Seth said nothing about it. He did not
know they were poor and took in sewing.
But we did not dare to ask any questions,
and don't think he had heard of it,
We had just been having a spelling
match and were discussing it when Uncle
Seth came in.
Hurrah! Bob" he said. $50 you
beat all the boys in the High School and
Academy in spelling. l congratulate
you"
Yes" said Bob: complacently; "but
had to fall at last.''
"What was the word that brought you
down."
"Zinziberaceous," he answered, smil-
ing.
Enough to bring anybody down, I
should think" said Uncle Seth, sym
pathizingly. docs itmean the condition
of things in the ark?'
mo; it means pertaining to ginger. So
Smart says, in Webster"
The man must be smart who invents
such words as that" said Uncle Seth.
But, Polite, "he said, turning to me, why
don't you girls get up some kind of
match? I thought girls were fond of
making matches?"
ado you suppose we could ever have
courage to spell in the Town-Hall, Uncle
Seth: know l should forget how to
spell dog"
What is the use of having spelling
match? We have had spell of spelling,
until everybody is sick of the sound of the
word. Excuse me, Bob; mean all but
the heroes of the occasion. But, Polite,
now seriously, listen! propose a cook
ing-match."
Good" said papa.
And "Capital!" cried Bob. "I'll be on
the tasting committeen'
articles to try" said Uncle Seth, laughing.
What is the rest OF your plan, Seth!''
asked mother.
II propose to give a prize of five dol
lars for the best cake, twenty for the best
bread and five for the best fancy tea-dish.
l propose that we give this notice publicly
and that the articles for competition be
all sent in to the Town Hall two weeks
from to-day, by eight O'Clock; and also
that committee of three ladies' there's
luck in odd numbers you know-be ap-
pointed as judges. l propose that we
have music and readings, and at the end
announce the prizes and pass round the
cake. Lemonade will provide" 81
But" said Bob, "you have made no
provision for tickets. Is it to be free!"
"No. We will have limited number
of tickets at 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 q time for me to practice. .EEz
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 q stone,
once upon q 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 mammar-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.
There! 1 did forget that" he said. at
shall be open to girls under twenty. I
think it would be rather discouraging to
the younger ones to see proofs of skill like
yours placed in comparison with theirs. -