The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-02-26
|ome When You're Called
CLARA BAssETT TO MRS. GRAY

WOODLAND, September 10, 49,.
Dear, Darling Aan,nay-I got your
ice letter this morning. I don't won
er you scold. It's my fault, my very
reat fault-no, it isn't, either can
ot tell lie any more than if I had a
tile hatchet, like G. W. 1t is not MY
sult, really. I bave been so busy and
tired and 80 cross that I couldn't
rite to you. Now don't make up a
weet, sober face at me because I say I
m cross it's very good OF me to own
though You could no ooubt have
bund it out in the course of this epistle;
it is a sort of cheap virtue to tell
Well, to begin at the beginning, when
ge first went to housekeeping I waited
while to see how the wheels ran be-
bre / had any company; and I was 80
(lad did, for I had such queer things
appen. It did seem as if never should
barn how to make cookies. I haven't
bid you all this before because I want
ID you to have some peace after the
hcket of the wedding was over and
|esides, I knew yod would tell Aunt
8emima I'm so glad she's gone to
Europe y, and she would say: "I told
lou so, Frances, that Ruth knew nothing
oncsrning household duties" But
bout the cookies: suppose you think
hey are simple enough, yours are al
Eays 80 light and tender. You ought to
Save seen tho first three patches I made.
spoiled them every time, and cried to.
hink about the waste. Then I had
uch time learning how to cook break
hst. 7 thought any body could do that,
but I declare it was worse than the
ookies and as for potatoes, language
ant do justice to the subject. If Jack
Fasn't an angel-in some respects, ]
nean-this family would have been in
amily jar of the largest description long
go.
(Marginal note by Jack You see, I
Tot lunch every day in town, and learn
d to make it pretty substantial, mother.
n-law, 80 could smile and smile and
Be q. william STILL" So much for the
NIGEL. But those steaks were stunning,
tell you.)
However, I could make bread, you
know. I think Aunt Jemima would
lave come to church and forbid the
Ranns if had not sent her such nice
! oaf the week before we were married. I
now she asked Bridget privately if !
leally made it all myself, for Bid told
ne so. And after awhile could broil a
9teak just right, and my potatoes came
|ut white and mealy, and the fourth
batch OF cookies was just splendid, and
| could cook a veal outlet exactly right;
10 ! thought it was time to ask some of
Jacks relations to come and see rs. !
lid wish had sister. WANTED some.
body of my very own to come first, and
Fou couldn't come, just because Aunt
femims would have fever always
thought in my secret heart that she
.Rould have got well Elk weeks sooner if
Fou hadn't been there to coddle her and
make her comfortable. know I should
Ike nightly to lie in bed six weeks and
have you take care of me, I'm 80 awful.
! v tired; and I did mean to have you
BONE Just as soon as she sailed; but, oh
mother, don't you know how you used
Rlways to tell me, "Come when you're
6alled," and the rest of it2 I thought
That was nothing but child's rhyme,
but I have found out it means just as
much for grown people.
(Nots by Jack-She really thinks she
Is grown upD
Don't mind Jacks scratches, dear; he
Is awfully impertinent; that isn't angelic
kt all. lust smelled something burn
ing, and laid the paper down a minute
10 see to it, and he made those notes. It
WAS only the milk boiled over that I was
Eetting boiled for breakfast coffee. I
ean't wait to boil it mornings, for Jack
has to have his breakfast so early, SO I
lust shot it up" as Biddy says. Well,
bbout Jacks relations; poor fellow he
newer had mother
(Note by Jack-Strange, if true.)
I mean he don't rem ember her. He
was six weeks old when she died, and
his aunt took Mrs Staples. She
has five children. but 7 conldn't ask
Them all, vuu H:,.s. 'n' l..t4e 10 rLlS
|one spare room to this house; so I
wrote to her, and said should like to
have her and one of the girls come to see
me in June. It is pleasant here then,
and was going to- ask Kitty Hayes in
July, because she always goes into the
country then. So wrote just as nice a
better as could, and made all my plans,
and engaged Strawberries for every day;
Enough I didn't mind that so much, for
q could take it back, but letter arrived
Baying she couldn't come in June, for
ehe liked to stay at home and have com.
pany in June herself, but she would come
in July. Oh dear I had just that very
day written to Kit, and I had to go and
write her another letter and tell her all
about it, and ask her to come in August.
q meant to have you in August, nanny,
but you know I had to put her off, for
she was going down to New York in
June to get her summer things. She
likes to wait till then, because they are
cheaper, so she couldn't come before
.