Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-06-13

and you VIII understand why. FoOd
well cooked and assimilated has much
/ to do with the spiritual, as well as the
physical being of man. 1t makes the
monster good-natured, too. Why,
have tasted bitter cup of coffee all
day, and, likely as not, been cross to
my clerks on account oft. So you see
how much depends on the cuisine.
Now, suppose we make out a bill Of
fare"
The next morning at breakfast, Wal
ter made wry face three times, and
quite as many excuses for everything
that was served. Aunt Prue said moth.
ing, though she enjoyed her meal. But
she took mental notes.
Bessie did not look so we'll by day.
light; an expression Of fatigue pervaded
her whole being. The baby had been
restless; Walters way evidently an
noyed her. She had worked too hard
at this well-arranged breakfast.
Il will go now, and make my New
Years calls" said Walter, as he rose
from the table. That will give you,
Bessie and Aunt Prue, a good, long
morning together"
SIT isn't possible that you do youl
own cooking!" said Aunt Prue, as the
two women left the dining-room, Bessie
holding the heavy baby.
1.-THE girl helps me little" was
Bessy's reply, land is willing to do
more but Walter is always dissatisfied
with her cooking. Indeed, Aunt Prue,
it is a great pleasure for me-ifI could
only please him; but since baby came 1t
is not always possible. I had a nurse
for a time, but Walter objects to a
nurse; and it is hard to get good one"
How often do you 60 out" asked
Aunt Prue.
How often ? Oh, dear me I haven't
been outside the house for months,
hardly" was the answer, with a ner-
vous little laugh.
Glow men do yoke and goad their
angels ~ said Aunt Prue, half to her.
self.
What did you say, Aunt Prue:'
Il was thinking OF an expression in
one of Walters loye-letters."
"Oh!" and Bessy's cheek grew radi-
ant with a girllsh blush.
Il mean one Of his letters to me,
when he was in love, in which he makes
mention of a certain angel"
"Indeed?" And Bessy laughed in
her olden fashion.
1--WE must take him IL hand" said
Aunt Prue, seriously. ''This all work
and no play will never answer. Pm
sure, my dear, if you always give HIM
half such nice meals, as that of this
morning, he has no right to complain"
"But you saw" said Bessy, timid-
~.
Eyes, yes, saw that he was trying
to make the food more palatable by
undertaking it. But never mind; We'll
try and establish a cure. Now. to-
day, I'll get up one Of my best dinners,
and you shall do nothing but look on.
Just give me kitchen apron, my dear,
and wish me good speed.'
They had merry time Of it that
morning. Baby was happy and jolly
under the superintendent other mother;
the oven worked to a charm, and
everything was in readiness for the lord
Of the household, who awaited dinner
with more than a little trepidation,
quite unconscious that the aunt, paler
than usual from exertion. and the wife
over-hushed from anticipation. had
changed places expressly on his &C.
count.
So they sat down to dinner, each one
more or less expectant. Walter ran
his eye over the table.
''Bessy, dear, 1 don't think it's an
improvement to stack the knives and
forks over the napkins, like parcel Of
guns" he said. Tell Mary I like the
other way the best. All, quite too
rare, Pm afraid !" as he plunged the
knife into the beef. ''Aunt Prue, I'm
afraid I can't suit you to-day. I re-
member how thoroughly your roasts
were always done, and yet were juicy.
The gravy is browner than usual" he
added, dipping into the dish. Il don't
know about the butter beans yours
were always delicious" And SO on to
the end of the chapter. For every
dish there was some hint or glance OF
disparagement, and 1t was all Bessy
could do, with her almost painful sense
of the ludicrous, to keep from laughing
outright, as occasionally Aunt Prue's
sparkling eyes met hers.
Pm so sorry, Aunt Prue," said
Bessy, at last, mastering all the gravity
she could command, ''that after your
having taken the trouble to get up this
nice dinner expressly for Walter, he
should have found fault with everything
you have DONE"
"What?" cried Walter, explosively
half rising, and loo king from one to the
other.
MY dear! after your cooking, ex-
pected he would" said Aunt Prue
quietly. "The sample you gave of
your powers this morning was quite
beyond my poor efforts"
Then bright red flush covered the
mans face. even to his brow. Were
these two women making sport of him
Had he heard Alright? lii his own
opinion. he was one Of the most acute
men alive. That nobody could deceive
l.. L ! :. g.,