Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-03-13

They lived in Wales, and the farmer was
well-to-do, and all the household were eco
nomical, not thinking of meat every day, or
anything like as often. The two daughters
were named Reliance and Prudence: the
sons Amos and James. Reliance was soon
to be married to David Thomas, at the next
farm.
"We'll have hasty pudding for dinner
to-day, MOTHER" said Farmer Jones to his
wife, one morning at breakfast.
every well, Evan," replied Mrs. Jones /;
for his will was law
So when it was tius she began to make the
pudding Her husband and sons were out
at their work in the spring sunshine her
daughters were making the beds upstairs.
81 mustn't forget the salt this time" cried
Mrs. Jones to herself "there was fine fuss
from all of 'em about the last one"
For Mrs Jones, good housewife though
she was, was apt to forget to put salt in her
hasty puddings, or not to put in enough of
1t. She put plenty in this time, for they
were all fond of salt. Then she went up to
the linen room and began laying the winter
clothing away in camphor.
1t was only few moments before Reli
ance came into the kitchen, when, seeing
the pudding cooking, and knowing that her
in a handful of salt and stirred it well so
that her father would have no occasion to
find fault.
Soon after, Prudence passed through the
kitchen on her way to the brew-house.
Mothers sure to have forgotten the salt"
said she, and added good handful
Before long, Amos entered to get a Jug of
beer. And soon after James came in. Each
OF them put in handful more salt as they
had no more faith in their mothers remem-
bering it than Reliance or Prudence had.
just before dinner, Farmer Jones returned
from the fields and saw the pudding cooking.
That pudding smells uncommon good"
he said; but" added the farmer, approach
ing the kettle, "I'll bet sixpence the wifes
forgot to salt it, as she always does. used
to depend upon Reliance, till she got her
head chock full of that young man of hern
no chance of her thinkin' ont now. As to
Prudence-well she don't meddle much in
the cooking so III put the salt in myself"
And taking off the lid he flung in hand.
ful and a half, stirring the pudding briskly.
Twelve O'Clock came and they all sat
down to the table. Mrs. Jones helped her
husband to good serving; for he loved it
well, and had besides sharp appetite. Just
a spoonful he took, and leaped up.
" w no on eartn sdlteu uhls mere pudding
tt"
Farmer Jones stopped; he suddenly re-
membered that he had salted it himself.
Just then there was great noise in the stable.
81 should think that crazy colts a-tryin'
to kick in the barn door," said he, and
rushed out.
The next to try the pudding was Amos.
No sooner had he got it in his mouth than
he leaped up too, and went off to see what the
colt could be doing
And each. one, James, Reliance and Pru-
dence started away, in like manner, leaving
Mrs. Jones in amazement.
For each one you see, 81 - took credit
for the hard sailing.
"Lawd mercy cried Mrs Jones, swal-
lowing down her first mouthful. This comes
o my having put in all that there salt. What
could | ha been thinking Of? But they
used to say I'd heavy hand at salting."
The proof of the pudding is in the eating
Christian at Work.