The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-23

he styed; and when I saw that ne
brought small pox with him you will un-
derstand the reason why. Charley was
away when Clum went to bed, complain
ing of headache, and Mollie was really
kind at heart made tea and toast and ac-
tually sat up half the night. Noble
had had small pox in New York, and
long before daybreak she was wringing
her hands in despair, waiting for the re-
turn of the doctor.
It was clear case, and so far had it
progressed that removal was out of the
question.
"What's the use?" I said. "The wood
shed chamber is far removed from civil
ization as any habitable place this side
the mountains of the moon; and I'm not
afraid of of smallpox. Let us retire be-
hind the red flag, and while Mollie learns
patience over poor Clum, will learn
housework with none to modest or to
make afraid"
And now, though have been long
time coming to it, have actually
reached the meat.pie Of course Charlie
set up his authority, and set his foot
down, but I tied on my sweeping cap,
and arming myself with the broom,
shook my finger in his face. at is of
no use-no use Il am not only queen
but prime minister; and while Mollie
bends her capacious intellect to the occu-
pant of the wood-shed chamber, and you
take care of both, who is going to take
care of you? What is it you say about
danger? Pshaw, there is no danger to
any one who can show such royal scar
as I cam" Daring my army, "besides if
the worst comes who cares for few peck
marks here and there? You will see what
appetizing dinners and toothsome sup
pers shall arrange for you"
So had my say, and by my persist
ence more than my wit, carried the
day. But alas! alas! for the toothsome
suppers; alas for the dinners. At the
very thought of what we should eat, or
what we should drink, was ready to
sink down on the nearest hand-wrought
sofa cushion in despair. Still, would
not give up! 1 consulted cook books and
burnt my fingers, and scorched my face,
and lost my temper, and tried again and
again.
One morning remembered that it was
Mollie's day for beef pie, and my cour-
age arose equal to the occasion. Glanc-
| ing from the window I saw the butcher
with his cart, and selling plate I ran
out quickly to the front gate and inter-
cepted him.
1T want good piece of steak, Il began,
II want the choicest piece your have, for
beef-pie."
eyes, madame, but for beef-pie we
usually furnish this" said he, holding
up piece of meat, which for anything
| knew, might be steak, or it might be
| chops.
Every we'll, that looks nice; give me
ten pounds" ordered, rather pleased
with my novel position.
He asked if I would have the whole
piece with the bone out?" and replied,
certainly, with the bone out. For
made hasty reflection that Mollie had
always served her meat-pies guiltless Of
bones.
took the meat in, dropping the blood
spots on the kitchen floor, and feeling
very much as if I had good-sized ele-
plant on my hands. found the kind
ling and wood all arranged ready for
the match-Charley's work. The dry
kindlings started with crash and flash
till the little stove fairly danced with the
clatter and catching the enthusiasm
put over the coffee pot, went into the
pantry and rolling up my sleeves began
the solemn connection of the meat-pie.
Flour must first be sifted; did Mollie
use eggs? 1 wondered as busted the
-four through the sitter. was sure I
couldn't tell: would try eggs anyway,
for eggs are always safe; SO broke half
a dozen into the -four. Salt? of course,
any child would know that salt was very
necessary in meat pie and little nut
meg for flavor; for I remembered hear
| ing Charley say once that the flavor OF
Maggie's meat pies was enough to trans
port hungry mortal to the isles of the
blessed"
"Well, am sure, nutmeg grows in the
spice islands," said I, immersing my
hands in the sticky mass.
Was this oil? OF course there must be
wetting. Mollie used milk for her de-
licious biscuits, but water satisfies the
demands of the most ambitious pie that
was ever made, water was the thing, but
how could get it without-oh, l could
never clean my hands, and this sticky
stuff will drip all over the floor to the
sink.
A sudden peal upon the Office bell rang
through the house like the call TO doom.
It took me fully fifteen minutes at the
kitchen sink to wash my hands, remove
my apron, draw down my sleeves. dust
of the -four from my dress, and when
reached the door at last, q small boy,
whose patience must have been mex
- n L.