The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-07-04


Two of 'em I've made the same as I've
made afore and the mistress wouldn't
touch a bite It's because she's sick and
fussy, suppose. took about four eggs"
the cook proceeded, "and nigh onto half
pound of butter, and two cups Of sugar,
and"
At this point Janey burst out laughing,
Pm not going to make that kind" she
said.
"Make it your own way them" said
her companion, good-naturedly, but I'll
tell We one thing. Yeve got to have a
good oven."
Japey's face fell. Her oven was mis-
cradle affair at best, and in the afternoon
it never would bake; and this fact had
entirely left her mind.
"You can bake it here as well as not"
said the cook, If yell be after taking
the trouble"
"Oh, thank you |" said the little girl,
heartily. "Pll be round in jiffy."
"Leave your strawberries here, and I'll
help you hull EN- the kindhearted do
nestle went on, and Janey transferred
the strawberries and hurried home.
Now Janey had no cookbook, and no
one to ask single question of. But she
had made biscuit, and if she could make
nice biscuit, why not a certain kind of
strawberry shortcake? 1t might be an
original kind, but Janey was pretty conf
dent it would be eatable.
"Oh, Janey, did you get 'em ?" Robby
inquired, as his sister took off her hat and
put on cooking-apron.
GAIL right so far" she replied; "but I
must hurry just as fast as can, so as to
be in time Tor Boyd Oh, Robby, won't
he be surprised to find a trawberry short
cake waiting for him !"
"Oh, yes said Robby; "but, Janey,
want to ask you something. While you
were gone thought about praying for
praying for-for what | wanted. Would
that have been right, Janey p
"Wby didn't you say what you began
to say, Robby ?" his sister inquired.
"Praying for strawberry short-cake."
al don't know" Robby responded, with
a flushed and puzzled face, "only it
sounded foolish somehow"
"That's what Think" said the small
philosopher
But why, Janey? Mamma used TO
say that we must ask for everything we
wanted"
"No," said Janey, e. for everything we
needed and that's very different thing"
"That's So" said Robby, "and Pm
glad didn't do it."
All this time Janey was getting her
things together She brought out little
yellow bowl, molding board and roll
ing pin to match, and tiny sieve. In
very few moments the young cook had
two layers of short.cake ready for the last
process. Then in twinkling the con-
coction was whisked over to the neigh
boris and into the oven. The Strawberries
were washed and sugared, and then Janey
ran back to set the supper-table for Boyd.
At last everything was ready, even to the
extravagant short-cake.
As Janey, with the treasure in her
hands, was passing out of the basement
door, the gentleman of the house entered
and accosted her.
"What have you there, little girl ?" he
asked.
ga strawberry short-cake, sir" Janey
replied, and Bridget was kind enough to
let me bake it in her oven"
"Did you make it yourself ?" was the
next question.
"Yes, sir"
"Would you mind my taking it up
stairs and showing it to my wife ?" the
gentleman went on. al have an idea that
this is just the kind of short-cake she has
been wishing for"
"Pm afraid it isn't" Janey responded,
earnestly. "You see, sir, never made
one before, and just made it up out of
my own head"
But before the girl had finished the
gentleman was half way upstairs.
"Ihe mistress mother and brother
have Just arrived from the country"
Bridget told Janey, /" and dinner is served
in the mistress sittiug-room. Your short
cake is going the rounds of the company,
sure"
In about two minutes the gentleman
returned.
"Your name is Janey Converse, be-
lieve ?" he said
"Yes, SIR
DWELL, Janey, will give you two dol
lars for this short-cake."
ooh no, sir |" Janey exclaimed, ait
didn't cost twenty-five cents, and -
1.-TWO dollars for the shortcake," said
the gentleman, laughing. Scan have
it, 'Janey. Going, going
Il made 1t for my BROTHER" Janey in
terrupted, fearing he would say "gone -
before she could enter her protest, " and
his money bought the things" she went
on, but III run home and ask him. 1t
won't take me five minutes"
"All right" said the gentleman. "Brid.
get can keep it warm till you come back
ooh Janey Where's the short
cake :" Robby inquired, as his sister ap,
peared with empty hands, and an eager
face. Then Janey told her story and
waited for reply.
"Janey, Janey and I wanted it so p
poor little Robby murmured. 81 have
thought about it every minute this after.
noon, and l can't, tell you, can't give
it up"
Every well |" said Janey. calmly. at
is your short-cake, Robby, and if you
think it right, I'll go and bring it home
"Two dollars for shortcake p said
Robby "and two dollars will most get
Boyd's shoes, won't it, Janey ?"
"Yes, Robby."
"And you think l ought to give it up
don't you, Janey ?"
81 don't think it speaks very well for q
soldier" said Janey, to be so particular