Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-08-14

precisely, or he thinks he's killed. There S
a couple of pullets in the coop, out in
the chip-yard,' she added, tying a clean
check apron around her waist. " You
may wiring their necks, and git EN- ready
fur roasting, while start up "a fire in the
cook stove"
Olympia looked at her pink calico
dress with its hounces and rufiies and
wondered if Miss Catherine would offer
her a check apron, too. But Miss Cath
crime did no such thing, and Olympia
wrung the chickens necks and prepared
them for the oven, with rather 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 have
two kinds of bread fur dinner, or he can't
eat" she explained.
Humph!" !" thought Olympia. d" He
won't get two kinds of bread for his din .
ner when am mistress here, can tell
him.
But she turned to the bread-tray with
out word.
BY the time the biscuits were in the
oven the waist and front breadths of
O,J n ?ia's dress looked considerably the
worse for the mornings campaign.
Miss Catherine blew the dinner horn at
the usual hour, and Lysander appeared
punc,ually at twelve clock.
But for some reason or other dinner
was half.hour later than usual, and
when it was finally dished and brought
I to the table, the biscuits proved to be
underdonc and the chickens roasted to a
crisp.
Had bad luck with your biscuits
didn', YOU. Catherine :" said her brother
as he made wry face at the yellow
streak of saleratus which he found upon
breaking open one Of the leaden
Jumps but Miss Catherine smiled leni-
emily.
"Olympia had bad luck with her bis
cults" she said; "but | think my bread
is as good as usual" and she passed
to him square Of light, golden'hued
corn. bread that was more tempting than
pound. cake.
Lysander left his biscuit untasted. but
cast a glance Of compassion at Olympia
Accidents will happen, he said. con-
solingly. though he could not help noiic-
ing a sullen look on Miss Jones's face in
spite OF the smile she flashed at him, He
noticed also the .umbled curls and soiled
un,idy dress. 4 -E
"Have some cold mutton, Lysander,'
said his sister. "a il you can't eat the
chicken. Olympia will learn to cook at
ter a while"
So it was Olympia who burned the
chickens.
Lysander finished his dinner in silence,
though he still made excuses for all short
eomings.
Olympia changed her soiled dress be-
fore tea.time. and was beaming with
smiles when Lysander took his seat at the
table. But the tea had wishy-washy
taste. the but.er.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 herself.
Lysander had 4 good disposition, but
unpalatable food will disorder the best
regulated liver and upset the temper Of
even an angel, and Miss Catherine soon
discovered fresh wrinkle over her bro
ther's nose.
One morning, Lysander strobe into
the kitchen, where his sister was mix
ing bread-for she could not trust II to
Olympia, who had already spoiled two
patches, which had to be thrown to the
pigs.
Catherine" whispered Lysander, hur.
riedly, "the minister's folks are coming
up the lane OF course they'll.spend the
day. and do, pray. Catherine, cook the
dinner yourself! Don't let US be disgraced
in their eyes,"
Miss Catherine saw her opportunity,
and seized 1t.
"Cook the dinner myself! Dear me,
Lysander, how kin II ," she asked. "We
must have turkey, of course, and mashed
potatoes and pumpkin pies. and steamed
batter pudding, with lemon sauce. and a
cabbage salad. Besides, who will enter
tain the visitors while I'm In the kitchen !,
Olympia :"
"olympia' Pshaw She can't do
anything but giggle!" growled Lysan-
der, savagely, much to his sisters amuse-
ment.
"Tll tell you what, Lysander," said
Miss Catherine. refectively, 81 must