Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1878-07-05
Twntten for the chicago EecHOtype News.J
IN HER OWN COIN.
A Story of the First of April.
BY JULIA C. BRIGHAM.

The AuStInS were noted for their hos
pitality. Upon a certain occasion they
gave dinner to a select number of gen.
tlemen, and the morning of the day found
Madam Austin deep in the mysteries of
the necessary preparations.
Brewing and stewing," exclaimed Jes-
sic Thornton, the acknowledged belle
and beauty of the village of Princeville,
and a very intimate friend of the Aus
tins. "Dear me, how hot your kitchen
is, and what martyr you are making OF
yourself to feed a lot of masculine bipeds
who won't half appreciate your goodies"
'Don't you believe anything of the
kind" laughed Mrs Austin, with very
flushed face and houry hands. %But
won't you go into the sitting-room, Jes-
sic, where it is cool? lam almost through
and will soon join you. I have only the
pies to make. The rest can leave to
Bridget"
mo, thank you, I haven't time; 1 ran
in to see if / couldn't be of some service.
Do let me make lemon pie. You know
make such splendid ones"
"Indeed you do; but it is asking too
much. Beside there are no lemons in
the house, and Bridget is too busy to go
for them just now"
80! have everything for fhe pie at
nome, and as we are baking it will make
no extra trouble"
"How good you are, Jessie; will do
as much for you one of these days." re-
turned the gratifed woman, as Miss Jes-
sic danced away to her self-appointed
task.
The dinner of Mrs. Austin was splen-
did. Such mock turtle soup-such a Ia
mode beef, crowned by a noble roast tur-
key and appetizing salads! Mr.. Austin
was happy in dispensing the substantials
to his guests, while his wife made proud
and self-satisfed by their praises of her
perfectly prepared food, sat radiant be-
hind the coffee urn.
II consider cooking enc efthe finest
accomplishments woman can possess,
and not beneath the dignity of any lady,"
said the Reverend Mr.. Thorp, who look
ed upon food for the body quite as essen
tial as that for the SOUL.
81 agree with you" joined in young
Doctor Allen. THE preparation of food
is one of the fine arts, and Mrs. Austin
has completely mastered it. You should
open an establishment for the teaching
Of girls how to cook"
''The Doctor" laughed Mrs. Austin
Hno doubt thinks of taking wife; hence
his interest in the girls"
''If could find one, Madam, who had
been under your tuition, fear should
be nothing loath."
f'My wife, y interposed the proud host,
''is indeed fine meat cook, but think
excels in pastry. Wait until you have
tasted one of her inimitable pies"
The wife flushed gui lilly as she thought
of the splendid specimen of flakeiness
that awaited them, and of which she was
to receive the credit. 1t would not do
to speakof the little neighborly transac-
ton between herself and Jessie Thorn-
ton, with whom Doctor Allen was sup
posed to be desperately in love.
The table cleared and the dessert pro-
duced, Mr.. Austin cut TIE mince pie, and
began, as usual, dissertation upon the
art of making them.
''They are indigestible affairs, even if
SO very tempting remarked the doctor.
"Then you should recommend them to
humanity" suggested one of the gentle
men, "since they help to fill your Golfers"
Il am glad, my dear, you gave us
lemon pie, also" continued the host,
with fond glance of approval at his wife,
as he prepared to divide the great snowy
and fiakey affair, "and-what the deucel
WheW what the deuce is this p
Upon the broad blade of the silver pie
knife he held up a piece for inspection,
and disclosed mass of rags, covered
with crust. Evidently somebody's pants
had been sacrificed, for here and there
a button presented itself
Mrs. Austin's face famed scarlet, while
the company, unable to restrain them
selves, roared with laughter as they
glanced at the woeful face of their host.
All had comprehended the joke, and that
the day was the first of April, hence the
significance Of the sell, and but for the
laundering daughter of the Emerald set
in the midst of the sea-" it would have
easily passed off as good joke of the wife
upon her husband.
'Its all very funny, no doubt" said Mr..
Austin, as soon as he could be heard.
"but fail to see it in that light. 1t is
beneath the dignity of a LADY," and his
words were pointed by the look of dis
gust ana anger ne bestowed upon his
wife.
"In troth it wasn't the Mistress, at all,
at all, sur, but jest Miss Jessie Thorn
ton; Shure, she com'd in the mornin' as
make as a lamb and took the pie out of
my n lady's hands and run off home to put
AZ S1glther-the I black-eyed little divil.D
Hush, Bridget" commanded Mrs.
Austin' her face painfully crimson with
moruncauon. NOR i Take the dish out eft
AaKe u o1G Z aY course will, and niv-
81 81 sthep wlli sthop until I've dumped
ene ornaTy tnlng on Miss Jessie's door
step-ould Thornton's britches and ali
bad luck till 'em; it's aven I'll be with
her, num-" '-'
The irate damsel caught up the dish
and walked out of the room with the air