Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-01-20
Gales ano Sketfbes.
now Tom AND 1 KEPT House.

WOrk, ana why our ianGidnS -I0ulG. on
some particular days keep on her feet from
morning till night. Although we could
appreciate the clear coffee. the tender
steak. and the light biscuits that were
placed before Us, we could perform them
in halt the time. and not make 30 much
fuss about it either. and we had more than
once freely expressed our opinion n OF
the manner in which household affairs
should be treated.
But the merry twinkle IN the eye Of our
gOod-natured landlady. and the oft-re-
peated expression. "a mans work Is from
sun To sun. but woman's work is never
done," did not convince Us, and old bach
elor like We began to think Of a home Of
our own, where we could have the privi-
leges Of trying our hand ut the culinary
busness-provided Mrs. Somebody was
willing.
One evening as we sat down to the Ia
Bile. and our landlady informed Us that she
had been called out Of town to see sich
friend. and az she expected to be absent a
few days she would try and find some one
to take charge Of the house aud its occu-
pants.
Tom and protested against this I'M
necessary trouble, for was not this the OPP
portunity we had long been wishing Tor !?
We were large enough 10 take care Of
ourselves. and she need have no fears on
our account. Af:er much entreaty on our
part. and objectin2 on the lady's side. con
sent was at last won for u- ~ act for our
selves, and after showing us the barrels,
frkins and boxes containing tn ingre-
dienis used in cooking and delivering the
keys Of storcroom and closets. our land
lady bid us good-by, with a wish that we
might have pleasant a. well as 4 profit
able time.
The anticipated baking Of the morrow
possessed for IL more charm than did ever
box Of marbles in our boyhood days.
That evening we read all the receipts con
tanned in the cook book, from making
bread TO frosting wedding cake, and in
our conceit thought we were wise enough
to do anything. The next morning we
made visit to the closet to sec what
provisions were left for the day-but alas
were forcibly reminded Of the old nursery
song-"Od Mother Hubbard went 10 the
cupboard. &c: but instead of finding il
bare. we found proof sufficient of mid
night rcvel, and we both exclaimed The
rats"
IL WAS itltl ibii
the fire and make the coffee. while | mix
ed the bread and laid the table; tying on
an apron to keep my dre-no. pants, clean.
went to work the flour was sifted. hut
what next the cook book was consulted
"a little saiaratus. yeast and salt according
to your Judgment "Tom.' says |.
"what does this mean. salt according to
your Judgment ~ why. don't YOU
know ? n cupful OF course; Thought You
knew how To make bread. " and Tom blew
into the stove till his iace was what might
have been called celestial red" went
to the stove and found the hampers closed
II must say, Tom. that if YOU are ~ long
kindling a flame in u lady's heart rs you
have been in this stove your prospects are
not flattering. thought you knew how to
make fire2" My bread had been in the
oven about an hour. and although | had
looked at 1t and turned il round. it looked
as flat rs when first put it into the pan.
BY our united efforts we succeeded in
building a fire. and soon the fragrant smell
Of coffee filed the room The table was
laid. and we were patiently waiting for
the bread To bake. What on earth are
doing, Tom" exclaimed rs | saw him ut
work upon an old fish skin "Why, set
Ting the coffee. to ne sure didn't yout
me to put in fish. and haven't put in n
halt one rs vet. .'Oh dear" Croaned.
''your ears and generous disposition will
be the death of you yet. | said small
piece of fish skin-but perhaps it is better
than it looks-salt is good You know"
The bread began to look brown. and we
decided that it was done--brown While
placing it upon the table heard groan
and n faint ''come here Bob" from the
kitchen. Tom had poured hot water upon
his hand. and he sat upon the floor blow
ing furiouslv upon his fingers. Soft
soap is good. go and put your hand into
the pot of soap in the cellar" .'Oh
murder, MURDER came in tones of agony
from the region below. ''soft soap is good
for burns is it ?" and Tom came up. with
tears streaming down his face and the salt
brine dripping from his hand. "Coniouud
this housekeeping. don't you say 20 Bob ?
Let us have some breakfast, or the coro-
ner will have n case of starvation to inves-
tigate." We sat down to the table, but
before we had eaten two mouthstul of
bread or swallowed two swallows of cof-
fee we came To the conclusion that the wa
tiers of the far famed Salt Lake could not
equal our coffee. and il one of the bis
cults were hang about n persons neck. it
would prove a milestone. We began to
analyze the saline subjects before MS. and
we unanimously agreed that "saleratus
and salt accord, to your Judgment" was
no Judgment at all. The striking of the
clock warned us that we could investigate
no more. and that il was time we were on
our way To the office. We compared
notes and found that we had been Just
three hours preparing orr delicious break
fast. eleven o'clock found us taking a
lunch at Tsyl rs.) As we had been dis4p-
pointed in the morning. we were deter
mined to make pies and cake. they were
much easier than bread for new beginners.
So two hours before the usual time for
closing our office we babe adieu to books
and documents. and were hurrying home
TO profit by the experience of the morning
meal. We could not hut miss the cheer
full face. the blazing fire. and well laid
table that ALWAYS greeted our return from
our daily toll. but we soon banished these
sad thoughts by vigorously welding the
broom. and in short time the kitchen
looked quite respectable.
was to make the pies and cake. and
Tom was TO run the erran,is. and make the
the custarl pudding; that was nothing e.
make. little milk and few eggs: who
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