The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1881-11-25

| 'DOn'tI
Don't! You mean do said Joe, un.
tremendously taking Ruth round the
waist and lifting her fairly off her feet
why, l thought should have stifled
among the old hats and boots
But, Joe, it's so wrongp
1T would have been deal wronger,
little Miss Morality, to sit pretending
to listen to Elder Longsentence when
my heart was in the old kitchen at
home with you. Now, see here, Ruth,
I'm not going to stand this any longer.
Give me the big iron spoon
Joe tied towel deftly round his
slim, well-molded waist. and commenc-
ed stirring vigorously at the saucepan
he took from Ruth's hands.
Isn't that right?'
Yes said Ruth, dubiously; but you
mustn't spatter So.
Mr.. Carey accordingly relaxed some
what of his over-zealOus earnestness,
and looked at Ruth over the top of the
table.
Come, Ruth, you promised to give
me an answer to-day
Miss Skinner shook out the folds of a
snowy mass of table napery, and eyed it
thoughtfully.
is this the best table-clothP
Yea-no-I haven't an idea. Hang
the table-cloth! I'm not talking about
table-cloths. Is it to be Yes or No,
Ruth?'
'Oh, Joe, we are both so young.
Nonsense
Il suppose the napkins are the right
ones?'
DO you suppose 1 stood a mortal
hour in that cupboard, with my nose up
against the buffalo robes, to decide the
question of napkins with you? / will
be answered.
'Well-but-what shall 1 say?'
Il should say YES if l were in your
place.
But, joe
Look here, Ruth and Joe overturn-
ed the saucepan in his enthusiasm.
Here's where it is. Would you rather
be my wife, or my stepmOther?'
'Joep
AS if you hadn't suspected it all
along, you little, demure kittenl Come,
don't keep me in suspensep
He put both his hands, with sort of
imperative tenderness, on her two
wrists, looking with his full, brilliant
hazel eyes into her shrinking, rose-red,
smiling face.
Let me go, Joe, quick! The turkey
is scOrching-I smell itv
Not one step,' was the firm reply.
But is burningp' cried Ruth, pit
eously. 'Oh, Joe, pleasep
Not until you have decided my des-
tiny. Yes or Nop
Yes, then, you provoking fellowv
And Ruth, highly resenting the kiss
of affection which Mr.. Joe stopped to
possess himself of, ran to the oven.
It's burned! l knew it would bep
she breathed.
Not bit of it, said Joe, critically
surveying the royal bird over her shoul-
der. It's just beautifully Drowned.
No thanks to your said Ruth, petu-
lantly struggling her shoulders as she
reclosed the oven, after basting and
turning its contents in most scientific
manner Now help me set out the
table, for I'm getting dreadfully be-
hindhand; and what will your father
say when he comes home from church
and finds dinner not readyY
1T shall be readyp said Joe, solemnly.
Il tell you, Ruth, you don't know half
the resources of my character as YETI
r. X
THAT was proper good sarmon,'
said Deacon Obed Carey, pulling down
the brim of his fur cap to protect the
extreme tip of his nose from the driv-
ing snow. Boys. walk along straight,
and don't be lettering behind like lot
O. Sandwich Island heathens. Yes, an
edifyin' discourse-apples O gold in
pictures of silver lido wish Ruth had
a-heerd it.
Il hope the turkey'll be ready when
we get home,' said Hosea, smacking his
lips.
You needn't be afeard, Hosy, 'an-
swered the sire, complacentiy. Ruth
Skinner understands her business as
well as the next one. She is a stirrin',
smart gal as ever see, and economical
toop 1 never shall forget how bad /
felt the Fall arter your mother was
took away, seein' Hepsy Duckett dress
chickens -slingin' the gizzard and liver
away like wasteful huzzy as she was.
watched Ruth last night. / tell ye
my heart jumped up into my mouth
she came to the gibbets! But she
washed 'em clean, and she chopped 'em
up fine, with bread-crumbs and pepper
and salt, to make the stuffin', and says
l to myself, Many darters have done
virtuously, but thou excellest them ALL
To see the way she wrings out her dish
cloth, too-it would melt heart o
stunt p7N ~. 49, ~ lrt
Hosea looked at his father with the
slightest soupcon of a twinkle in his
eyes, and began to whistle under his
breath. The deacon walked on, lost in
his own blissful reflections.
The Thanksgiving dinner was ready
IA culinary triumph-as the church
goers came in, bringing a Whit OF
keen northern air with them, and a
plentiful powdering of snow on their
broad shoulders. The turkey himself
brown, glistening and unctuous, lay in
the centre of the board, with wings
meekly folded and breast distended
with aromatic stuffing, while ranged
round him, quivered pink and amber
jellies, and crimson cranberry tarts
blushed through their lattice-work OF
puff-paste, while mince-pie and pump.
kin, custard and suet puddings, sent
up an odorous appeal to the senses
Apples red and russent, fanked either
end of the board, whilestone pitchers OF
cider, freshly drawn by Joe, foamed