The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-04-14
gelert STORY.
A KETTLE OF SOFT SOAP.

[ wish all young women who are dissat-
isfed with their peaceful home life could
have known my heroine. Elsie Meyer was
her name, and hundred years ago lived
in the Mohawk valley.
Hither had her father and mother come
from Germany year or two before Elsie
was born. A rude hut had been the first
home, but Martin Meyer worked hard, and
when Elsie was just growing into woman
hood he built new house for his family.
True, it was of logs, with the messy bark
still clinging to them; but it was stoutly
built, and had good roof and a substan-
tial chimney. The inside walls were made
warm with thick plastering of clay. The
four small windows were protected by heavy
oaken shutters, and the two doors, massive
in structure, were well secured by bolts
and bars.
Scarcely was the house finished ere the
vague rumors which had been floating
about for some time turned into stern re-
alties War was declared between Great
Britain and America. OF course the val
ley in which the Meyers lived would, like
every other frontier, be subject to frequent
invasion of the enemy.
Poor Frau Meyer, however, escaped all
coming dangers, for just about this time
she died giving birth to her fourth child
For time the husband was prostrated by
grief; then the disappointing dangers
and the duty Of caring for his family COM
PEELED him to lay aside his sorrow and to
take up again the responsibilities of life.
His daughter Elsie was his great help
and comfort Barely seventeen years old
was she, yet the household machinery went
on as smoothly as during her mother life.
The spinning and weaving, the baking
and burning, the watching over the ten
year-old twins and little baby Lizzie, were
all done most faithfully.
Very little time had Elsie to spend at
the cuttings, huskings bees and other fes-
tive gatherings of those primitive days.
But, although so seldom mingling with the
young people of the valley, her company
was eagerly sought by many gay gallant.
And no wonder, for Elsie was indeed a
pretty maiden. Tall and straight, with a
1.-THE, graceful figure, clear red and white
complexion, soft blue eyes and with the
thick braids of hair about her shapely head
as bright as sunshine.
Pretty and gentle, tidy and industrious,
she did not lack for suitors; but to Nicho-
las Sicily, an honest young farmer, was her
heart given. Then the cruel war separated
them, as it did many others, and Elsies
betrothed marched away to fight for lib
erty.
Father" said Elsie, one morning, as
they sat down to breakfast-"f father, the
meal is nearly out .a.
Zach SOP said Herr Meyer, as he
took another spoonful of supaan. "Well,
to-day will take two bags of corn down
to the mill and have them ground. Think
est thou wilt be afraid to stay at home
alone with the kinder?" " O. s-@t&
"Oh, no p. was Elsie's reply. "There
are no indians about-are there ?''
"Our scouts report none. However, the
redskin is a willy reptile, and there's no
knowing when he's lurking in the grass.
| like not leaving you alone; still, | might
get the meal to-day as well as at any time.
1t is cloudy, and, should it rain, could
do no harvesting. will start right away y
And accordingly, fifteen minutes later,
Herr Meyer logged away on his old brown
horse, with big sack fastened panier-like
on either side; and Elsie, after she had
seen his figure vanish over the hill, went
back to her Homework
"What pity it rains ~ she said to her
self, half an hour later Il did intend
making my soap to-day. 1t is time that it
was done. Frau Weber and Frau Heine,
as we'll as many of the other women, have
theirs made, and surely do not want them
to think me a lazy housewife! The lye is
ready and the soap-grease, too; and if faith
er were here and the weather fine, would
have the big kettle swinging out in the
yard. AS it is, l believe l will try and
make it in the fireplace. Hans, you watch
little Liza; and you, Peterkin, take pail
and draw the lye out of the leaching- bar
rel" And with busy, bustling house
wifely air, Elsie set about her days work.
Rinds of pork, bits of candles, and
all the odds and ends of grease that had
accumulated during the year, were tossed
into the big black kettle, and as soon as
they were fried out, dipperfuIs of lye were
gradually poured in. i3#
Outside the rain poured down steadily
all day Late in the afternoon, however,
brisk western breeze swept away mist
and vapor, and redeemed the dull gray sky
by gorgeous golden sunset. When its
bright ray illumined the panes of the win
dow, Elsie turned from the fireplace, say
ing: Fl
''Therel 1t doesn't need anything more
only to boil slowly. Peterkin; you see that
it doesn't run over, though there's no dan
ger unless the fire starts up. Hans, you
stir the cradle while I run down to the
spring and get pail of water,
And minute later Elsie was tripping
down the little footpath leading to the
spring As she held the, pail under the
| flowing water she was startled at hearing a
slight noise near her.5GShe glanced nerv-
ously around her. Il i 2.
Again She heard the noise rustling-
| then 4 hoarse whisper: t
j. s4rElsie Elsie4iooT TadHA