The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-03-26
OUT AND AT HOME.

Mr.. and Mrs Harris were taking tea
with their neighbors, the Joneses, in
friendly manner. Mrs. Harris came over
early, bringing her crotchet work and the
ladies had pleasant chat before the gen.
tlemen came in to supper. They were
both from their business offices, but were
just as fresh and lively as if there were
no such thing as business cares, those
worrying ones which so often darken a
mans brow when he enters his ''ain"
| fireside.
'Your husband is always SO jolly and
good natured. 1t must be quite pleas
ure to live with him, said Mrs. Jones to
Mrs. Harris, as they went to the table
eyes," answered Mrs. Harris, with
slight hesitation. for she remembered
certain things which happened at home
now and then.
''Fm afraid this tea is not strong
enough" remarked Mrs Jones, as she
passed Mr.. Harris his cup. "Do you
find it agreeable, Mr.. Harris?"
so, delightful, delightful, madam"
returned Mr.. Harris, with bland smile.
..'strong tea is hurtful to the nerves, and
keeps one awake, at night, I think
''That won't at all events" thought
Mrs. Harris, as she slipped the tasteless
| fluid in her cup.
Have bit more of the steak, Har
ris?" said Mr.. Jones. ''Mollie, it seems
to me this is little scorched."
'Yes, it is, admitted Mrs. Jones. ST
did not have very good luck with it this
time. am very sorry, too
so, it is very nice-very nice indeed!'
returned the cordial Mr.. Harris. s'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 fine biscuits, Mrs.
Jones. I believe I must send my wife
over to take lessons of you in cooking"
blushed little, but did not say any
thing.
She knew she was better cook than
Mrs. Jones; and at home Mr.. Harris was
| not accustomed to be so polite.
Mrs. Jones was greatly fattered.
you're very good, I'm sure" she
| simpered, s'I can generally cook, but
| it seems to me that I always have
| the very worst kind of luck when I
haze company"
Mrs. Harris thought Mrs. Jones had
met with some bad luck this time.
The cake was heavy and the preserves
were sour, but Mr.. Harris praised
everything and declared he had enjoy
eel his supper.
eff he would only be as pleasant as
that as home," sighed little Mrs. Har-
ris, as they walked through the street,
after they had taxed leave of their
| friends. But she knew it would be
useless to say word. Coaxing would
be lost in this case, and scolding not
OF any use. However, her woman's
wit set to work to find some way to
| teach that husband of hers lesson,
and after while the way was found.
| The next evening supper was ready
when Mr.. Harris came home, and it
was nearly a counterpart of the supper
| at Jones' the night before. Weak tea,
| scorched beefsteak, biscuit only moder-
ate, heavy cake and sour preserves.
But Mrs. Harris was all calm and Sc
renely unconscious.
sCome, Mamie, George, supper is
ready, and papa has come," she said,
calling the two children, who came
bounding in from their play.
''Hope you've got something good,
I'm awful hungry" Master George ex-
claimed, while gentle little Maud an
swered him:
''I'se 'shamed of you George. Mann
mas suppers are always good"
Mamma said nothing, only poured
papa cup of tea.
"Humph! Is this tea dishwater?"
was his remark as he tasted it.
'sYou told Mrs. Jones strong tea
hurt you," said Mrs. Harris quietly.
''Um--well-yes, I did" said Mr.. Har-
ris, somewhat taken back, ssbut didn't
mean such weak stuff as this. The steak
is burned, too. 1t isn't fit to eat-such
trash!"
.sYou told Mrs Jones you were fond
of scorched meat" said his wife as quiet
ly as before.
"Well, but-I-not as black as this,
though. Haven't you got any light
bread Those 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?" add
ed George, taking huge slice.
s'It's as heavy as lead. That's what's
the matter with it! ]" snapped Mr.. Har-
ris.
"You said Mrs. Jones' cake was de-
lightful, and hers was no better than
this" responded the wife, in tones per-
fectly even and unrufded.
"Ah, pshaw!" CALCULATED Harris.
don't like to eat such stuff at home, any
now Anu SeeillS 10 ue tueSc preserves
don't taste just right. believe they are
soured.
81 believe they are soured a little, -
replied Mrs. Harris, coolly.
'tWhat did you put them on for then F.?
think this is delightful meal, do
not thing fit to eat.''
sI'm sorry it doesn't please you; I tried
especially to please you'll !" said his wife.
as coolly as before.
Tried to!"
| Eyes; you said you were going to
send me over to Jones' to take lessons
in cooking. took them at home, that's
all. ButI don't seem to succeed as we'll
as she did,
ssWhat on earth do you meaq, Sue?'
@Don't you see? If you think, you
| will see that have given YOU tonight
! just what she gave us last night, and
then, you remember, you praised every
! thing until she was perfectlY u sgtisfien. "
| sBosh, Snel Don't yo6 know that
was for the sake of politfs sness?o
s.Oh, was it? Well then. we are to
teach our children that politeness is only
for company nse: ana not m necessary at
homer
ssWhy, no. of cor rse not.
Then, # not, Nn't it as important to
II 1w-<II "a H. 4