The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-12-07
A Bachelors Dinner.


day with her sick cousin, while Nellie
and / are Obliged to go down to Mrs.
Sommer's, as it is her last day at Beak-
grove It is long drive, and we shall
not be home until evening. I don't like
to leave the house entirely alone, or |
would rather you would dine at the
restaurant
Don't worry, MOTHER" he said gaily,
Il prefer getting my dinner, and fancy
can do it IN such manner as would
make Bridget blush for her calling. I'll
manage, never fear. Why, it is Just the
easiest thing in the world All you
have to do is to consult with recipe
book, and work by rule"
With doubtful smile, Mrs. Hastings
left the room, and it was not long ere
he heard them away.
"Alone, am r he soliloquized. 81
suppose might as well commence,
then. What o'clock9 Well, allowing
for my inexperience, can have it ready
by II o'clock, I'm certain.
Rummaging the pantry, he found the
recipe book, and it was at least half an
hour before ne could make up his mind
what to have.
"Tll, have warm biscuit for one thing;
guess I'll make them frst;;' and, throw
ing off his coat, he pinned sheet in
front, rolled up his sleeves, and was
ready to begin.
.'Flour,0 he said, reading from the
book. s'There it is Getting rather
low, ] guess, he muttered, as his disap-
peared in the barrel. When he emerged
he looked as though twenty years lad
been added to his life
s'Saleratus," he added, scanning the
book "What is that? 1t must be
that white stuff in the bottle I will
put in a double dose of it so as to make
them extra light; for Bridget's biscuits
are always trife too heavy"
They were soon ready and placed into
the oven.
"I'll get everything ready first, and
then build such roaring fire as will
cook it in j short time priding himself
on his forethought. "What next p
At this moment little boy appeared
at the kitchen door. 'sHere's a fish
that was ordered yesterday" said the
grinniAg urchin.
ssls it fresh :" asked Aleck.
Yes, caught this morning" replied
the boy, running off
'sThis is an unexpected addition" he
murmured,. "I'll fry it," and dashing
water upon it, he placed it'in pan with
huge lump of butter, and put it on
the stove. "That's ready. Now / sup
pose / must have pudding of some
kind. Here is one-rice pudding. That
looks easy, and remember now that l
upset paper of rice while searching for
the saleratus Two cups of rice" he
said slowly. "But what is the use in
measuring; there is not much more than
that in the paper; I'll put it right in, .
and suiting the action to the word, he
soon concocted a peculiar looking mix
ture, under the head of "rice pudding.
81 don't care for variety to-day" he
remarked, and proceeded to build fire.
"Now," he exclaimed, "Ill. arrange the
table for dinner"
He was Just instituting vigorous
search for the tablecloth, when he was
startled by ring at the door-bell.
Forgetting This appearance he opened
the door and encountered young lady
whose blue eyes were sparkling with
mirth.
Entering unceremoniously, she said
81 am Mary Carroll, and have come to
make Nellie Hastings visit, and
thought / would surprise her. Are you
not her brother Aleck Z" she asked, and
finding it impossible to control hel
ninth, she burst into ringing laugh, in
which Aleck was forced to join, for he
had caught glimpse of himself in the
looking-glass as he ushered her into the
family sitting room The sheet, extend
ing from his neck to the tips of his toes
his venerable-looking head; all was
enough to excite laughter, and, after
having recovered from his sudden sur
den surprise, he soon informed her o.
the whole state of affairs.
t1 will assist you" she said, still
laughing. 81 will arrange the room
Wnlte you IOOk tultf b1c tIil
make yourself presentable."
Aleck, after laying aside the sheet
and brushing the flour from his hair
went out to see how his dinner was pro
crossing. An unsayory odor assailec
him as he entered the room. "What
does this mean y he exclaimed anC
Nav, who had followed him to ascertain
the whereabouts Of some needed article
stood gazing on the scene
The stove was covered with curious
mixture, which he at once recognized as
his pudding; the fish was burned to .
crisp.
Making dive for the kettle, he sue
ceeded in grasping it, but, dropping i
suddenly, it rolled on the floor, while h
executed war dance around it, occa
stoned by the pain in his hand.
Returning to the sitting-room, May
proceeded to dress the injured hand, and
succeeded in allaying the pain.
81 have some biscuits in the oven,
he said. 81 think they must be done by
this time.
"Lie down on the sofa, and | will
see about them," she said. She soon
returned, bearing on plate something
that resembled Jumps of putty. Break
ing one of them open and tasting it, She
made a wry face. ''You forgot to put
the saleratus in, didn't you =
NO." he said, 81 put lots in-nearly
half the bottle
This y she asked, opening the bottle