The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-12-12
A Bachelors Dinner.

troubled look on her face "do you
think you could get your own dinner to-
day. Bridget has gone to spend this
day with her sick cousin, while Nellie
and l are Obliged to go down to Mrs.
Sommers, as it is her last day at Beak-
grove. 1t is long drive, and we shall
not be home until evening l don't like
to leave the house entirely alone, or l
would rather you would dine at the
restaurant.
"Don't worry, mother" he said gaily,
81 prefer getting my dinner, and l 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 a 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 l q he soliloquized. 81
suppose l might as well commence,
then What o'clock Well, allowing
for my inexperience, can have it ready
by II o'clock, Pm certain"
Rummaging the pantry, he found the
recipe book, and it was at least half an
hour before he could make up his mind
what to have.
"Ill have warm biscuit for one thing;
guess I'll make them first" and, throw
ing off his coat, he pinned sheet in
front, rolled up his sleeves, and was
ready to begin.
"Flour," he said, reading from the
book. "There it is. Getting rather
low, l guess, he muttered, as his disap-
peared in the barrel. When he emerged
he looked as though twenty years had
been added to his life.
'Saleratus," he added, scanning the
book. "What is that 1t must be
that white stuff in the bottle l will
put in double dose of it so as to make
them extra light for Bridgets biscuits
are always trife too heavy"
They were soon ready and placed into
the oven.
"Ill get everything ready first, and
then build such roaring fire as will
cook it in a short time priding himself
on his forethought. "What next "
At this moment little boy appeared
at the kitchen door. "Heres fish
that was ordered yesterday" said the
grinning urchin.
as it fresh p asked Aleck.
ayes, caught this morning." replied
the boy, running off.
This 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 l sup
pose l must have a pudding of some
kind. Here is one-rice pudding. That
looks easy, and l 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 peculiar looking mix
ture, under the head of "rice pudding"
Il don't care for variety to-day he
remarked, and proceeded to build fire
Snow" he exclaimed, 'I'll 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 his 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 a visit and
thought / would surprise her. Are you
not her brother Aleck = she asked, and
finding it impossible to control her
mirth, she burst into ringing laugh, in
which Aleck was forced to join, for he
had caught a 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 venerable7looking head; all was
enough to excite laughter, and, after
having recovered from his sudden sur
den surprise, he soon informed her Of
the whole state of affairs
81 will assist YOU" she said, still