Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-05-26
PoIIy's Pumpkin Pie.

pes.
Her thoughts ran in this wlse, as she
measured out the ingredients; One
and one-halfpounds Of loaf sugar, one
half pound of butter, two quarts o.
cream,-no, one quart. So Melissa;
really engaged to the minister. Deal
me some people have everything in this
world. wonder if they are so lucky
in henexi? How gravely he woult
lock at me if lie were to hear me express
such a frivolous thought, He has
stern face hut how kindly he can looI
out Of his blue eyes The other night
when l burned my arm at the candy
pulling, he dressed it as carefully as
woman. and what with his sympathy
and the hurt, could hardly keep back
the tears. He SAID had already learn
ed one oflife's hardest lessons, patience
under afiliction.' DO you call this al
fiction 2 said, laughing; i shall b'
happy, indeed. if I never have any,
greater affliction than this And h'
answered so gravely that he sdencet
me: L pray you may be happy, deaI
child Here Polly broke cut IN war
bling little melody that started the ca
nary in the sitting-room to singing will
all his might, and caused Amt PhG0t
to exclaim in tones sharp enough Il
sour the lncipient pies
Don't you stop that noise, Polly ?
You and this abomnible bird will ruI
me crazy yet; every nerve in my bod,
is Just tingling now,' Then she add
ed in tones too low TO reach Polly
ear: 4 will get rid of you both som'
day, and then maybe Twill have some
piece Of my life
There was silence in the house aile
this. Polly turned aside her head that
her tears might not fall in the pastr'
she was working, and the sympathetl'
bird hushed its song and dropped it
head.
Pollv's reddish-brown curls wcru
caught up high on her head and fas:en
ed with an old fashioned she'll comb o
her mothers she had on fresh darl
calico, and her rolled up sleeves showe'
white arms, made winter by the fiou
busted over them. She was a prett,
picture as she rolled out her pastry ant
cut it in delecate, curling strips, but sh
was so engaged IN repressing the ugly
angry feelings that flushed her cheel
and heayed her breast, but found III
outlet at her lips, that she was uncon
scious of a spectator until, hearing
movement, she raised her eyes and me
the minister's
He was standing IN the doorway be-
tween the sitting-room and kitchen,an'
Polly's first thought vas that her aun
had maliciously sent him to seek her
thinking thus TO embarrass her. Ihl
thought came to her assistance. and
smiling and dlmpling in spite OF her an
noyance as she met the sunny gaze @
his blue eyes, she motioned him to
char with the air Of sprincess au'
wen. on with her work.
He brought chair and set it clos'
as possible to the table. so close tha
Polly trembled lest some Of the fiou
should fall on his immaculate blacl
clothes.
you are making pumpkin pies" wa
| his commonplace question, but it wa
asked in the tones which thrilled poo
Polly's soul like rich music.
She smiled an affirmative, and b
went on, looking up IN the fresh, swee
face Have you ever heard the tradl
ton respecting pumpkin pies? 1t
said that they are sort Of moral ther
mometer of the temper Of the individu
lal by whom they arc prepared. Pump
klns, yeu know, are nourished IN the sun
shine. They are gathered in the glow
Ing autumn days, and brought in th
house, golden reminders OF the summe
sun. If the pies are made by one OF
sunny disposition, they will be sweet
| iucy and delicious, in short, such a
essence of sunshine, sugar and spice q
those you are making. But if one i'll
nstured thought 10 harborsd during the
preparation, they are sonred and ruiz
ed:'
Polly blushed crimson at this out-an
out compliment, and in her coniusio
mistook the pepper-box for that who
held the spice, and busted the pies fret
ly. Than sbe calmly poured in hal
> bottle of lemon extract, while the mir
, isler thought he had never seen so b'
t witchlug little housewife.
i As he rose to go he said, laughing:
Il believe am TO take my dinn'
with you tomorrow; so, Miss Polly
shall have an opportunity to gauge yo'
} disposition by your pumpkin pie
Polly shook a spoon at bim, and al
syered confidently that if that VAS
be the only test, she was not afraid.
A, the front door closed on the NIL
ister. Aunt Phebe, brisiling with indl
nation, stslked into the kitchen.
IF you think am going to have SUI
disgraceful performances in my kitch'
YOU are mistaken, Miss! 1 asked Il
= minister in the sitting room while
-. 20 nut ON mv other cap. and