Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-08-26
A Hurried Dinner.

"Oh, see here, Lizzie,- shan't /
home to dinner to-day; there's lot
} do at the office, and I'll not com
homen
This speech came from my l1ege lore
Charley, as he popped his head in at tn
front door. after he had started to hi
business.
''All right" said I.
The head popped out again, and I ad
ded to myself:
Mighty glad Of it. I won't have an.
dinner to get, and will have goo
day to work upstairs"
| So I cleared away the breakfast, tidi
ed up the rooms, and after that tool
myself off upstairs.
We had Eot been keeping house yer,
long, and I made it rule not to lie
things become soiled by using, but t.
keep them clean and fresh. But up
stairs there were certain trunks an(
boxes that need renovating, some of tn
summer clothing was to be packed ava,
and the winter gear got out and mad
my head to keep the dust out, pulled
trunks and boxes out of the closet. anG
set to work. I was in the very mids
of it, when heard footsteps at the from
door, and directly it opened. 1t wa
Charley, knew, for he had latch-key
and was accustomed to let himself in.
jumped to my feet.
I "Charley, and not sign Of dinnern
I exclaimed. "He said he wouldn't
come What can have brought him ~
The sound of voices, as I stood listen
ing, assured me of what Charley had
brought. Visitors, and I in such a
plight.
Charley came running up.stairs with
his face in glow.
"Why, why, little woman, what's all
this? I couldn't find you anywhere
downstairs. Isn't it dinner time?"
"Yes, Charley, but you said you were
not coming home. and I didn't want
anything for myself"
"Well, II wasn't. But who do you
think met ?"
II don't know, Pm sure"
"It was Liston and his wife. They
were on their way to hotel, but of
course I wouldn't allow that. I just
brought 'em home with me to dinner"
have no doubt there was spice of
irony in the tone in which I answered,
calmly:
"Yes, I see you did. Well, ! hope
you also remembered to stop at the
butchers and send in something for
them to eat"
well, 1 declare, little woman, I for
got the butcher. But I dare say you
can scare up something. Only hurry,
for they've only an hour or so to spare.
They're off again this evening""
81 knew it was of no use to say to a
man, "Why didn't you send me word p"
1t wouldn't teach him to send it next
time. So only said:
"Well, go down and entertained them
and I'll come as soon as I can change
my dress.n
Charley obeyed, and I hurriedly dress
ed, not in the pleasantest mood.
They were old friends of Charley's
and had looked forward to meeting
them with pleasure, but knew Mrs.
Liston was quoted as the very pattern of
housekeepers, never furried or put out
by anything. I knew, too, that she had
means and servants at her command,
while had neither, and dreaded to re-
ceive in such manner more than can
tell, but as many suffering sister will
readily comprehend.
What with my hasty dressing, knew
my cheeks were flushed and my hair
tumbled. But it was too late to walt,
SO ran down and stood fire during the
introductions as well as I could, quite
conscious that instead of appearing my
best | was appearin my worst, as even
Charley could see.
saying, by way of apology, that I was
pare dinner in haste.
GPrav don,t ,,1,t r,ourcoIf fo M =, +ro,,
BILE" said Mrs. Liston, politely.
"It is no trouble at ali,n I as politely
replied, feeling, as went to the kitch-
en-, that the small speech was fib, for
1 was almost at my wits end to know
what to do.
A happy thought struck me!
Oysters
A regular dinner was not to be
thought of, but most people were fond
OF oysters. l knew Charley was, and I
could prepare them we'll. They were
to be had opposite, and was not long
in getting them either. I bethought
myself of half cake, which luckily
had. That nicely sliced In my silver
cake basket, would answer for dessert,
with some apples which bought with
the oysters. Really, should not do so
badly for an impromptu occasion. My
spirits rose as set the table, adorning
it with cluster of fresh chrysanthe-
| NUNS, and with what glass and silver
[ possessed, SO that it looked very neat
and pretty. That, at least, Mrs. Liston
could not find any fault with, even if
she we've disposed to do so.
Charley had said hurry, and hurry ]
did. AS speedily as possible had ev-
cry thing ready on the table and the
dessert arranged on shelf by the open
pantry window, SO that I could put ii
on at once.
Tired, flushed, nervous and doing my
best not to look cross. I went to the par
| lOr, where they were chatting gayly
and announced dinner.
Then that awkward Charley must put
his foot into it, man-fashion, by saying
| "My little wife is famous cook. ]
hope you have good Appetite"
| Indeed. I have. Travelling always
makes me hungry" replied Mr.. Liston
rising.
made some laughing reply, and lee
the way to my little dinner.
."Ah, oysters my favorites." sale
Mr.. Liston.
was glad to hear that, but my hear
sank when Mrs. Liston declined to tax,
any, saying she never ate them.
II am SO sorry" I said, flushing
sBut will poach you couple of eggs.'
"By:: no MEANS" she said pleasantly
II shall do very well with one of these
rolls and a cup Of coffee"
| And when I insisted she was Obliged
to say that she never ate eggs.
I was at loss what to propose then, s,
I ceased to press the matter. Mean
while had poured the coffee.
[ handed the cups, but I knew by tn
aroma which reached my nostrils, that
though tolerable, it was not nearly a
good as usual, for in my haste 1 ha.
made it too weak.
/ was specially mortified at this, as
prided myself on my good coffee.
II won't apologize, thought proud
ly.
i But my prsde fell the next instant
when Charley, having tasted his, mad
a queer face, and tasted again.
"Why, Lizzie, what ails your coffee p
he asked.
Tears of modification rushed to m,
eyes, but Liston said, kindly
"Tut, tut, there are worse things thai
weak coffee in this big world"
Of course, as I had no servant, I wa
obliged to remove the plates and brin