The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1879-08-29
A HURRIED DINNER.

), "Oh, see here. Lizzie, | shan't b
\, home to dinner to-day there's
lot to do ut the Office, and III nc
come liOme.r
This speech came from my licg
lord, Charley, as he popped hi
head in at the front door, after h
had started to his business.
All right" said 1.
The head popped ont again on
1 added to myself:
Mighty glad of it. l won
have any dinner to get, and will
have a good day to work up stairs.
So | cleared away the break fas,
tidied up the rooms, and after tina
took myself OIL up. stairs.
We had not been keeping hous,
very long, and l made it rule no
to let things become soiled by using
but to keep them clean and fresh
But upstairs there were certail
trunks and boxes that needed reno
waiting; some of the summer cloth
ing was to be packed away and the
winter gear got out and made ready
for use. tied n handkerchief ovcl
my head to keep the dust out
pulled trunks and boxes out OF the
closet, and set to work. was in
the very midst of it, when heard
footsteps at the front door, and di
rectly it opened. 1t was Charley,
l knew, for he had q atch-key and
was accustomed to let himself in,
] jumped to my feet.
Charley, and not a sign of din.
der ~ l exclaimed. "He said be
wouldn't come. What can have
brought him9"
The sound of voices, as l stood
listening, assured me of what Char
ley had brought. Visitors, and
in such plight.
Charley came running up. stairs,
with bis face in glow.
"Why, why, little woman, what's
all this3 / couldn't find you any
where downstairs. Ism it dinner
time Go
Yes, Charley, but you said yon
were not coming home, and l didn't
want anything for myscli.n
Wen, IL wasn't. But who do
you think | mctp
81 don't know, Pm sure.n
1t was Liston and his wife.
They were Oh their way to n hotel,
but of 4 course l wouldn't allow
that. | just brought 'em home
with me 10 dinner"
have no doubt there WAS spice
of irony in the tone in which l an.
sNcrcd, calmly:
YcS, l see you did, Well, l
hope you also remembered to stop
at the butchers and send in some
thlng>tor them TO cat
" Well, declare, little woman, !
forgot the butcher. Bu; dare say
you can scare up something. Only
hurry, for they've only an hour or
so to spare. They're oil again this
evening"
knew it was OF no use to say to
a man, Why didn't you send me
word I"
1t wouldn't teach him to send it
next time. SO only said -
Z" Well, go down and entertain
them, and III come as soon as Lean
change my Dress"
Charley Obeyed, and / hurricdly
dressed, not III the pleasantest
mood.
They were old friends OF Char.
ley's. and | had looked forward to
them with pleasure, but |
knew Mrs. Liston was quoted as
the very pattern of all pattern
hOusekeepeTs, never tiurried or put
ont by anything. KNEW, too, that
she had means and servants ut her
command, while / had neither, aud
dreaded to receive her in such "A
manner, more than could tell, but
as many suffering sister will
comprehend.
What with my hasty dressing,
know my cheeks were flushed and
my hair tumblcd. But it was too
ate to wait, 80 ran down and
stood fire during the intrOductions
rs well as cOlld, quite conscious
hat instead of appearing my best
was appearing my worst, as even
Charley could see.
As soon as possible / excused
myself, saying, by way of apology,
mat / was not expecting Charley,
md must prepare dinner in haste.
"Pray, don't put yourself to any
rouble, said Mrs. Liston, politely.
at is no trouble at all" as po-
itely replied, feeling, as l went TO
he kitchen, that the small speech
vas n fib, for l was almost at my
Wits end to know what to do.
A happy thought struck mel
Oysters!
A regular dinner was not to be
hOught of, but most people were ,
ond of oysters. l knew Charley
vas, and could prepare them well.
They were to be had opposite, and
was not long in getting them
itber. | bethought myself of half 5
cake which l luckily had. That
icely sliced, in my silver cake :
,asket, would answer for desert,
nth some apples, which | bought
rith the oysters. Really, l SHOULD
ot do so badly from an impromptu !
ccasion. Ny spirits rose as l set |
be table, adOrnlng II with cluster {