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

1
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 EN- ready fur
roasting, while | start up fire in the
cook-stove"
Olympia looked at her pink calico
dress, with its tiouneeS and rutlles and
wondered if Miss Catherine would offer
her 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.
"Humph" 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 ap-
peared punctally at twelve o'clock.
But for some reason or 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
crisp.
Had bad luck with your biscuits
didn't you, Catharine?" said her
brother, making a WY face at the yel-
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 | think my
bread is as good as usual" and she
passed him . square of light, golden
hued corn-bread more tempting than
p0und-cake.
Lysander left his biscuit untasted,
but cast "a glance OF compassion at
Olympia.
accidents will happen" he said,
consolingly, though he could not help
noticing a sullen look on Miss Joness
face in spite of the smile she flashed at
him. He noticed also the tumbled
curIs and soiled, untidy dress.
"IIaYe 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 all 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 a wishy-
washy taste, the butter-dish was
smeared and untidy, and the apple
sauce was insipid and fayorless. The
biscuits were light and puffy this time
for Miss Catherine had made them her
self.
Lysander had 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 minister's 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 eyesl''
Miss Catherine saw her opportunity
and seized it.
Cook the dinner myself! Dear
me, Lysander, how kin I?' she asked.
"We 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? Pshawl She can't do
anything but giggIep' growled Lysan-
der, savagely, much to his sisters
amusement.
"Ill tell you what Lysander,'' said
Miss Catherine. refectiyelV. az must |