Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1883-05-24

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twelve o'clock, precisely, or he thinks
he's killed There's couple of pull
lets in the coop, out in the chip-yard," "
she added, tying Il clean check-apron
round her waist. you may wiring
their necks and git 'em ready fur
roasting, while l start up fire in the
cook-stove.'
Olympia looked at her pink calico
dress, with its tlounees and rutfles and
wondered if Miss Catherine would offer
her q check apron, too. But Miss
Catherine did no such thing, and
Olympia wrung the chickens necks
and prepared them for the oven, with
rather a cross look shadowing her
pretty face.
Got 'em in the oven?" asked Miss
Catherine, sharply. Then you kin
mix up batch of biscuits while /
make the johnny-cake. Lysander allus
must hev two kinds of bread fur din
ner, or he can't eat" she explained.
"Humphw thought Olympia. "He
won't get two kinds of bread for din
ner when I'm the mistress here, I can
tell him.
But she turned to the bread-tray
without word.
BY the time the biscuits were in the
oven the waist and front breadths of
| Olympia's dress looked considerably
the worse for the mornings campaign.
Miss Catherine blew the dinner-horn
at the usual hour, and Lysander APP
peared punctally at twelve o'clock.
But for some reason OF other dinner
was half-hour later than usual, and
when it was finally dished and brought
to the table, the biscuits proved TO be
underdone and the chickens roasted to
a crisp.
Had bad luck with your biscuits,
didn't you, Catharine?" said her
brother, making wry face at the vel
low streak of saleratus he found on
breaking open one of the leaden Jumps;
but Miss Catherine smiled leniently.
Olympia had bad luck with her
biscuits she said: "but l think my
bread is as good as usual" and she
passed him . square of light, golden
hued corn-bread more tempting than
pound-cake.
Lysander left his biscuit untasted
but cast glance OF compassion at
Olympia.
Accidents will happen" he said,
consolingly, though he could not help
noticing a sullen look on Miss Jones's
face in spite of the smile she flashed at
him. He noticed also the tumbled
curls and soiled, untidy dress.
"Have some cold mutton, Lysander,"
said his sister, "if you can't eat any of
the chicken. Olympia will learn how
to cook after awhile"
So it was Olympia who burned the
chickens!
Lysander finished his dinner in
silence, though he still made excuses
for ali shortcomings.
Olympia changed her soiled dress
before tea-time, and was beaming with
smiles when Lysander took his seat at
the table. But the tea had wishy-
washy taste, the butter-dish was
smeared and untidy, and the apple
sauce was insipid and favorless. The
biscuits were light and puffy this time,
for Miss Catherine had made them her.
self.
Lysander had a good disposition
but unpalatable food will disorder the
beSt-regulated liver and upset the tenn
per of an angel, and Miss Catherine
soon discovered a fresh wrinkle over
her brothers nose.
One morning, Lysander strobe into
the kitchen, where his sister was mix
ing light bread-for she could not
trust 1t to Olympia, who had already
spoiled two patches, which had to be
thrown to the pigs.
Catherine" whispered Lysander,
hurriedly, "the ministers folks are
coming up the lane! Of course they'll
spend the day, and do, pray, Catherine,
cook the dinner yourselfl Don't let
us be disgraced in their eyesI'
Miss Catherine saw her opportunity
and seized it.
Cook the dinner myself Dear
me, Lysander, how kin II" she asked.
owe must have turkey, of course, and
mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pies
and a steamed batter-pudding, with
lemon-sauce, and cabbage-saladl Be-
sides, who will entertain the visitors
while I'm in the kitchen? Olympia?
"Olympia? PshawI She can't do
anything but giggle!'' growled Lysan-
der, savagely, much to his sisters
amusement.
M'll tell you what Lysander," said