The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-04
nay FIRST DIN NER.

so, yes, am sure we can. ! we get
into any trouble, there's old Oman 10
put us right again"
every we'll, then, Martha. If Miss
Retta is willing to undertake getting
dinner, you may go." And thus se'-
Ting the question, mother resumed her
interrupted reading, though Tor some
moments an amused smile played rounG
her lips.
1t was the first Fourth of July after
the war; and though all old servants
had renamed with US TIL then, they
were now anxious 70 attend grand cell
ebraLlon that was to take place on the
adjoining plantation, and 10 which they
had been invited.
SO each and all had received permis-
sion to go, except the cook. For now
was 1t possible Tor the cook to leaveY
What would we do for dinner? Mother
,Uuld not get dinner herself, even If she
uHd known now, watch she did not; sue
was too delicate. For sister and | to al
Tempt it seemed equally absurd. What
could girls, unaCCuStOme even tn dress
Ing themselves, Know OF COokIngP There
seemed TO be 10 help for it, ANA mother
was just saying, Il am sorry to disap-
point you, Martina when the thought
WnIcl forms our introductory remark,
suggesLeu itself TO my mind; and So, as
we nave said, 1T was settled.
"Prepare just what you please, but
doA'l attempt too much," was motne's
inal advice; and highly delighted with
The permission, sister and | proceeded
to make out our bill OF fare. Baked
cAicken, cold ham, rice, sweet potatoes,
IoaI bread, pickles and preserves, with
canned peaches I0r dessert, were the ar
riCleS finally agreed upon.
"DOnt you THINK, my DEAR" sad
mother, THAT you had best dispense
with chlckenI VINO Will prepare ltr'
We hadHV thought OF That. But TO
give it!
Never" said sister. "Pll run out to
the Kitchen and tell Martha she must
prepare it for cooking before she leaves.
That's all rIgut," sue continued, return
.ng after few moments absence.
"Marlla says she IL see that BGn'
catches and Kills chicken at once"
was So impatient TO begin my mover
| employment That scarcely waited lor
the servants TO leave before hasteneo
to the Kitchen. TAe'e, TO my surprise,
| saw Ben, sitting on an uptutned
bucket and wearing upon his dushy
cOunLenance an lndescrlbable look OF
detection. Resting his elbows upon his
knees, with chicken dangling between
them, he looked up Wlsltully as L en-
tered.
"Why, Ben.I Why didn't you go
with tue crowd? What are you waiting
for?'
"Didn't git fru wild dis here chicken
in time, and nanny said mad TO do ii
lore | sot my foot cross de fence. Neb.
Der did see sicn hard old thing To
pick" he added, rueIully, as he gazed
| longlugly across the field and over the
nil, beyond which the last OF The happy
throng had a few moments before disap.
peared.
"You have done it very nicely, in.
deed" said l, encOuraging.y, for
thought it looked quite perfect. "What
else Is there To b., done? Maybe l Can
finish it'll"
"GUt TO be singed, and de feet cut off,
he replied. "Course YOU don'C know
how to do dat. Singieng cnIckiHs 'qulres
'sperenced hands, II II ain't nulii but
holding them over der fire"
"Oh, no; that's easy enough" l cried
"Cut off the feet, and pll do the rest
'Kin you, sure nui now" inquiret
the boy, his lace Frightening up.
"Ob, yes! OF course l eau. But i
YOU don't hurry you WON'T be able t(
overtake the rest Of them."
"Yaas, mRam, l WILL" he exclaimed
and selzing the knife, lie severed tn,
legs at the proper joints, and placed the
fowl in my oulsGreLched hands.
Ben. had just disappeared when sister
entered.
"You are in good time" said l. Cru,
and ask Dinah how this chicken must be
treated to bake it," Aunt DinaI was :
bed-ridden ola servant, the only one le If
at home. ''And then wash and put or
the potatoes. | think this sort OF tbina
splendid, don't you? and We will get on
SO swimminSiy."
Alas for human naturel Turninp +,
leave the Kitchen, sisters foot slIppe(
upon the feathers which Ben. in hi,
haste had neglected to gather M am
though she was not seriously injured by
the lall, her ankle received Il WrencI
which rendered ner unfit foy work. Inn,
was lett alone in my glory, or course
now that the getting of the dinner de
Yolyed entirely upon me. L drew on m,
thinking cap with renewed yigor.
biscuit! Let me sec-they are mad,
of -four, salt, lard and water. Nnusait
"upon reflection am convinred th..
water is only used to econumlza lard
and it shan't 60 in, Dear me. there i,
no salt in the box, and now. with m,
nand all stuck up in this way. [ must O.,
To the stOre-ruom. l wonder. too NOV
much ought to put in, A half tearu,