American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-06-28
OUT AND AT HOME.

Mr.. 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 a 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
was no such things as business cares,
those worrying ones which so often
darken q mans brow when he enters
the door of his " ain fireside."
"Your husband is always SO jolly
and good-natured. It must be quite a
pleasure 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 Mr.. Harris his cup. "Do you
find it agreeable, Mr.. HarrisP''
Oh, delightful, madam!" returned
Mr.. Harris, with bland SMILE "Strong
tea is hurtful to the nerves, and keeps
one awake at night, Think
This won't, at all events" thought
Mrs. Harris, rs she slipped the tasteless
nuid in her cup.
{" Have q bit more of the steak, Har-
ris," said Mr.. Jones. "Mollie, seems
to me this is little scorched."
9" Yes, it isl admitted Mrs. Jones,
did not have very good luck with it
this time. Pm very sorry, too"
"Oh. it's very nice-very nice, in
deed!" returned cordial Mr.. Harris. 81
think I will take another bit, Jones. If
there is any thing like. it is steak just
bit scorched. Thank you; no more
of the gravy. These are very fine bis
cults, Mrs. Jones. believe 1 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 q better cook than
Mrs. Jones, and at home Mr.. Harris
was not accustomed to be SO very DO
lite.
Mrs. Jones was greatly battered
"You're very good, I'm sure," she
siinpered. 81 can generally cook; but
it seems to me 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 sour
ed but Mr.. Harris praised every thing
and declared he had enjoyed his supper
immensely.
eff he would only be as pleasant as
that at home!i' sighed little Mrs. Har-
ris 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 a word.
Coaxing would be lost in this case, and
scolding never accomplished any thing.
However, her woman's wit set to work
to find some way &c teach that husband
of hers lesson, and after a while the
way was found.
The next evening supper was ready
when Mr.. Harris came home, and was
just As near as could be q counterpart OF
the supper at Jones's the night before.
Weak tea, scorched beefsteak, biscuit
only moderate, heavy cake and sour
preserves. But Mrs. Harris was all
calm and serenely unconscious.
"Come Mamie, George, 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 ex-