Daily Republican., 1884-05-10
ruATPARTRIDGEP PIE.

"Make pATtrluko PIE! really
never could, mamma! Ask Minnie to
do do it: she knows how" Mrs Gertrude
syclaimed with languid uDconcern.
y" Everything is always imposed on
Minnie! II were your mamma you,
too. should learn to do your share of
Tho domestic duties," her amt re-
marked stoutly, though not unkindly.
"Oh, Minnie Is never quite happy
unless she has plenty to do; she has
common tastes. And be-
sides. mamma ought to keep servants
enough to do all the menial work."
Gertrude returned GROSSLY.
Cooking Is only nenial to them who
are ignorant enough to make 1t 80"
the aunt argued. 1T is a science, an
accomplishment which every woman
onght to be proud to possess. She who
can serve her husband and children
with ouly badly prepared food, pre-
pares herself for a good deal ofunpleas.
antness.'
Goodness! what very ancient idea;
and what u pity, aunty, you have never
married - Gertrude said with a cruel
speer, marring the blonde prettiness Of
her somewhat vapid countenance.
ave cannot all marry, my DEAR
the spinster answered with soft little
sigh.
;" should not like never to be mar
ried," Gertrude admitted, Candidly.
" But should be sure never to get a
husband If ! spoiled my hands and
com plexion In the kitchen as our Min
ME does.
I" A sensible man cares a good deal
more about wholesome dinner than
he does about the complexion and
hands of her who prepares it," the
maiden aunt replied gently.
"Then | do not want q sensible
man." the girl declared with a child
ish Pout of the pretty pink lips, and a
glance of vanity at the mirror before
her, that reflected white rose com
plex ion and tho exquisitely white fin
gers with which just then she was ar
ranging the glittering bralds of her
abundant flax gold hair. !" / hate those
great, red, gross men who care for
nothing but their dinners" she pur-
sued "And l shall marry somebody
whose taste il more refined, Roy Will
lard, perhaps. He has mind quite
superior to coarse, material things"
"Mr. Willard's mind can descend
with alacrity to partridge pie" the
aunt observed with a smile. "And
our Minnie Is a marvellous cook"
sour Minnie has ridiculous notions, y
Gertrude retorted pettishly. "And l
can imagine how Roy would be di-
verted if he could know the vast
amount of furry and discussion the
making of his favorite dish has evoked.
And he would be just as we'll pleased,
If mamma and Minnie ignored the
partridge pie altogether, and just made
themsel YES nice and attractive to rs.
celve him. shall never indulge him
in pet weakness Of this kind, if
happen to become his wife," she added
with tine atfectation of importance
And fastening the last glittering
braid with jeweled shepherds crook
and with last dainty adjustmentof the
delicate laces and flowers at her pretty
throat, shet urned from the mirror and
followed her aunt into the adjoining
parlor to await their guest.
But the guest was there before them
unfortunately for Miss Gertrude, wht
did not surrnise, however, that he
clear young voice had been quite audi
hle to hiin through the closed doors
And she did not In tho least understand
the peculiar amusement of the smilt
with which he arose to greet het.
But she felt, nevertheless, that sht
signally failed to make herself enter
tanning. She sang her newest songs
she smiled her best practiced smiles
she uttered her most brilliant moth
ings-hut he only looked politely un
interested, and seemed waiting ant
watching for something that did no
come.
But presently the door opened to al
init trim and comely girl
A creature not too bright nor good
For human natures daily food
the busy Minnie She was as nice at
tired AS her indOlent and more fastidioui
sister, and If her cheeks were hot ant
her little hands Redeemed, she was none
the less charming.
Mr. Willard's manner changed in
stantly. That expression, half bored
and wholly impatient, vanished
from his features in the presence
of this quiet girl whose pro
elegant Gertrude.
Minnie does make herself such q
fright" Gertrude murmured from her
perch on the music stool to Mr.. Will
lard, who stood beside her at the piano
She Is forever dabbling with soupt
and pastry and all that sort of vulgar
thing and she is getting herself ~
coarse and red that she Is scarcely fl
for the parlor at all. l have no So cl
tastes myself"
Again that smile of peculiar amuse
p@nt came upon his pleasing face.
- And quite agree with your aunt,
b" said n,schievously. 81 maintain
th*' cookery is an accomplishment
which any lady ought to be proud tC
possess Badly prepared food is ruinous
TO mans good humor. have weak
ness for good dinners myself, and espe-
rially for partridge pie"
The young lady's rather insipid face
flushed scarlet; she was capable ofnoth-
ing but the utter silence of an over
wheIming modification. That he had
in such a manner been made aware of
her unwarranted preference for himself
was intensely huDiliating.
And he was sufficiently degenerate to
enjoy her confusion
And" he continued with unpity.
ing frankness, the lady whom l have
selected for my wife is such an excel
lent cook that am afraid shall allow
her TO spoil her complexion and hands
for me lust as much as she likes"
I" He means Minnie," she thought,
as with sudden gravity he turned from
the piano and crossed the room to where
Minnie was sitting.
Miss Gertrude's surmise was correct,
anu some time afterward Mimic be-
came Roy Wizards wife.
II suppose he married her just be.
cause she could make an appetizing
partridge pie," Gertrude said spite
fully.
But the content of the home over
which the lovely and skillful housewife
presided certainly refuted any such
absurd supposition.
Drug Store Purchased.