Connecticut western news., 1879-07-02
OUT AND AT HOME.

Mir. and Mrs. Harris were taking tea with their neighbors, the Joneses, in a friendly way. 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 just as fresh and lively as if there were no such things as business cares, those worrying ones which so often darken mans brow when he enters the door of his ain freside."
 "Your husband is always so jolly and good-natured. It 1uust be quite pleas ure to live with him." said Mrs. Jones to Mrs. Harris as they went to the table
 "Ye-es," answered Mrs. Harris, with slight hesitation, for she remembered we'll, certain little things which hap pened at home now and then.
 "I'm afraid this tea is not strong enough" remarked Mrs. Jones, as she passed MT. Harris his cup. "Do you find it agreeable. MT. Harris ?''
 "Oh, delightful, delightful, madam p returned MT. Harris, with bland smile. "Strong tea is hurtfuI to the nerves, and keeps one awake at night, I think"
 "This won't, at all even.ts," thought Mrs. Harris, as she slipped the tasteless fluid in her cup.
 "Have bit more of the steak, Harris?" said MT. Jones. Mollie, seems to me this is little scorched."
 "Yes, it is," admitted Mrs. Jones. |" I did not have very good luck with it this time. I'm very sorry, too."
 "Oh, it is very nice-very nice, in- deed p returned cordial MT. Harris. " I 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 very fine bis- cults, Mrs. Jones. I believe I must send my wife over to take lessons of you in cooking.
 Mrs. Harris looked up in some sur prise, and blushed little, but did not say word.
 She knew she was better cook than Mrs. Jones, and at home Mir. Harris was not accustomed to be so very polite.
 Mrs. Jones was greatly fattered. "You're very good, I'm sure," she sim- pered. "I can generally cook; but it seems to me I always have the very worst luck when have company"
 Mrs. Harris thought Mrs. Jones had met with bad luck this time. The cake was heavy and the preserves had soured; but MT. Harris praised everything and declared he had enjoyed his supper i'm mensely.
 "If he would only be as pleasant as that at home P sighed little Mrs. Harris as she walked through the street with her husband after they had taken leave of their friends. But she knew it would be useless to say word. Coaxing would be lost in this case and scolding never accomplished anything. However, her woman's witset to work to find some way to teach that husbsnd of hers lesson, and after while the way was found.
 The next evening supper was ready when MT. Harris came home, and it was very near counterpart of the supper at Jones's the night before. Weak tea, scorched beefsteak, biscuit only moder- ate, heavy cake and sour preserves. But MT. Harris was all calm and serenely unconscious.
 "Come, Mamie, Georgie, supper is ready, and papa has come," she said, calling the two children, who came bounding in from their play.
 Hope you got somethin' good. I'm awful hungry" Master George exclaimed while gentle little Mamie answered him.
 " Ise 'shamed of you, Georgie Man. mas suppers is always good" Mamma said nothing, only poured papa cup of tea.
 "Humph is this tea or dishwater?" was his remark, as he tasted it.
 "You told Mrs. Jones strong tea hurt you," said Mrs. Harris, quietly.
 "Um-weIl-yes, I did r said Mir. Harris, taken somewhat aback, "but I didn't mean such weak stuff as this, The steak is burned, too. It isn't fit to eat such trash p
 "You told Mrs. Jones you were fond of scorched neat" remarked Mrs, Har- ris, as quietly as before.
 MT. Harris colored.
 Well-but-I- as black as this. though. Haven't you got any light bread7 These biscuits are-not as good as usual"
 Mrs. Harris brought slice of bread and laid it beside his plate. He took it without saying word.
 "Why, ma, what ails your cake ?" asked Georgie, as he took bite of a huge slice.
 "Its heavy as lead, that's what's the matter with it p snapped Mr. Harris.
 "You said Mrs. Jones's cake was de- lghtful, and it was DO better than this," responded his wife, in tones perfectly even and unruffied.
 "Oh, pshaw!" calculated Mir. Harris. " l don't like to eat such stuff at home. anyhow. And seems to me these pre- serves don't taste just right. I believe they are soured.''
 "I believe they are little, " returned Mrs. Harris, coolly.
 "What did you put them on for, then ? l think this is delightful meal,, I do- not thing that is fit to eat p
 "I'm sorry if I didn't please you. I | tried to especially" said Mrs. Harris, as cooliy as before.