The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-09-26
miscellaneous.
Out and mt Home.

MT. ana MIS-. 11arrlS were taxing Tea with
their neighbors, the Jones', in a friendly man
ner Mrs. Harris came over early, bringing
her crochet work, and the ladies had pleasant
chat before the gentlemen came in to supper.
They were both from their business offices,
but were just as fresh and lively as if there
were no such things as business cares, those
worrying ones which so often darken a mans
brow when he enters his "ain' fircsidc.
"Your husband is always so jolly and good
natured. 1t must be quite pleasant to live
with him." said Mrs. Jones to Mrs. Harris as
they went to the table.
'Y-e-s," answered Mrs Harris with q slight
hesitation, for she remembered certain things
that happened at home now and then.
"Pm afraid this tea is not strong enough"
remarked Mrs. Jones, as she handed Mr. Har-
ris his cup. "Do you find it agreeable, Mr..
Harris? ?"
ooh, delightful, delightful, madam" return
cd Mr.. Harris, with bland smile.
"Strong tea is hurtful to the nerves, and
keeps one awake at night think"
"fThis won't at all events" thought Mrs
Harris, as she slipped the tasteless fluid in her
cup -,
"Havc bit more of the steak, Harris ?"
said Mr.. Jones. "Molle, it seems to me this
| is little scorched."
EYES, it is" admitted Mrs. Jones, 81 did
not have yc-y good luck with ii this time. |
am very sorry, too"
"Oh, it is very nice, very nice, indeed" re-
| turned the cordial Mr.. Harris. 81 think will
| take another bit, Jones. If there is anything
| like it is steak just bit scorched. Thank
you, no more of the gravy. These are fine
| biscuits, Mrs. Jones. | believe must send
my wife over to take lessons of you in cook
| ing"
Mrs. Harris looked upi surprise, and blush
ed a little, but did not say anything.
| She knew she was better cook than Mrs.
Jones, and at home Mr. Harris was not accus-
toned to be so polite.
Mrs. Jones was greatly t1attered. "You'rc
very good, Pm sure" she simpered. II can
generally cook, but it seems to me always
have the very worst of luck when / have
company"
| Mr.. Harris thought Mrs Jones had met
with some bad luck this time. Tho. cake was
! heavy and the preserves had sourcd, but Mr.
| Harris praised everything and declared that he
enjoyed his supper immensely.
| "lf he would only be as pleasant as that al
home p sighed little Mrs. Harris, as they
walked through the street after they had tax
| en- leave of their friends But she knew il
would be useless to say word. Coaxing
would be lost in this case, and scolding never
accomplished anything. However, her wo-
mans wit set to work to find some way tC
teach that husband of hers Il lesson, and aftel
II while the way was found.
The next evening supper was ready when
Mr.. Harris came home, and it was very near
a counterpart of the supper at Jones's thu
night before. Weak tea, scorchcd beefsteak
biscuits only moderate, heavy cake and SOU
preserves. But Mr. Harris was calm and Sc
renely unconscious.
"Comc, Mamie, George, supper is ready ant
papa has come" she said, calling the two
children, who came bounding in from thc
play.
"Hopc you got something good. "Im aw
full hungry" Master George exclaimed while
gentle little Maud answered him:
"Ise ashamed of you, George Mamma
suppers are always good" Mamma sale
nothing, only poured papa cup of tea.
"Humph is this tea or dish-water ~ wa
his remark as he tasted it.
"You told Mrs. Jones strong tea hurt you,
said Mrs. Harris quietly.
"Um-well-yes, did," said Mr.. Harris
somewhat taken back, "but didn't mean sue
weak stuff as this. The steak is burned, toe
l 1t isn't fit to eat-such trash"
"You told Mrs. Jones you were fond c
scorched meat" said his wife quietly as be
fore.
Harris colored.
"Well, but-I-not as black as this though
Haven't you got any light bread? These biz
cults are not as good as usual.
l Mrs. Harris brought a slice of bread an
laid it beside his plate, He took it withou
4 saying word.
"Why, ma, what ails your cake3" aske
George, taking q huge slice.
Il SIT is as heavy as lead That's what's til
Il mil, Mr.
4 "You said Mrs. Jones cake was delightful
and hers was no better than this, responde
the wife in tones perfectly even and unru
fled.
"Oh, pshawr' calculated Harris, IL don
: like to cat such stuff at home, anyhow. An
seems to me these preserves don't taste ju
}. right. believe they are soured."
II believe they are soured little" repht
Mrs. Harris coOlly.