South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-09-29
Macy had got into her steady little

Everything came off on that baking
day precisely as Mary could have
wished it. Her bread WAS light and
sweet, and white as snow fake, with
just a golden brown line of crust sur.
rounding; her cakes were perfection;
her crullers crisp, and delicious. Then
sue knew that her preserved fruits
were nice, and If there was sponge
cake more like solicited froth she
would like to see it. Everything was
sent TO Mrs. Vane's on "Wednesday
afternoon, and she had all Thursday
TO devote TO her dress.
! Mary looked very pretty that night
at the tea party, for her ewes shone
with a purpose, and she just had ex-
element enough about it TO redden
her cheeks IN IA very becoming man
ner. Add 10 this that she was dress
/ ed with neatness and taste, and YOU
VIII not be unwilling TO believe me
when | say she was quite the belle OF
the occasion. Joe evidently thought
SO hlmself; for strange to say, he
made no remarks on her appearance
that night calculated 10 lower her self
esteem; but contrary-wisc gazed at
her from to time, with most profound
| satisfaction.
But murder will ont. 1t came on
/ this occasion when they sat down to
supper. Everybody was delighted
there had not been such an unexcep-
tional tea in that neighborhood for
long time. Country people are We
ry fond OF their teas they compare
one with another with admirable
connoisseurship. This one was tri-
umpL.
Airs Vane you are the perfection of
bread makers. Your biscuits are quite
beautiful. Were ever such cruiers
made How do you manage it. Mrs.
Vane? What lovely sponge cake =
Mrs. Vnne and Mary occasionally
changed glanccs and smiled, but no.
body noticed it. Joe had been be.
having SO beautifully all the evening,
that Mary began to be afraid her plans
had failed. lie came out now, how
ever, greatly to Mary's satisfaction.
Tins is grand feast, indeed he
said. A fellow is fortunate who has
q wife that can make such bread az
/ this, tosay nothing ofthe sponge cake.
| can't see why 1t is, Mary--you inn
prove, IT is true, | give you credit for
that; but | don't see why il is that all
women cannot have the knack that
Mrs. Vane has. at cooking to perrec.
ton II you could make such bread
us this, Mary, your husband would be
y happy man.
Mrs. Vane looked at Mary, and Ma
~ looked at Mrs Vane. Light was
breaking upon the mind of the latter,
1t broke like flash oflightning. and
then there was an eXplosiou-not of
thunder but oflaughte.. Joe looked
up amazed.
He was man who petted his dig
nifty enormously What did these
women mean, TO laugh so at a sober
remark OF his? Particularly, what
could Mary mean, TO so triHe with the
respect that she owed her husband?'
He began grow red, indeed. Mrs.
Fane saw II presently, and she came
to hls and Mary's relief for poor Ma
! ry had already began TO be little
frightened at the success of her own
scheme. She did not like Joe to be
mad at any rate.
Mr.. Starr said Mrs. Vane. I'm
truly glad you like this very excel
lent cookery, Tor it is all your wifes.
By your own showing you ought TO
be happy man
Here the whole company caught
the infection, aud joined in the laugh
against Joe. It was Of no use 10 get
angry with so many people; and 50
before long Joe joined in the chorus
/ himself
Aud so the tea party broke up with
the greatest good nature all around,
and Joe went home " ith lesson lie
never forgot; for it WAS the last time
that Mary ever heard any complaints
from mm. lie is now the most easily
/ pleased of any husband for ten miles
around.