The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-10-30

that am very much interested in the
book | am reading"
Philo's brow grew dark: but he was
stopped from further comment by the
ringing of the dinner bell.
"Oyster soup burned again" he
growled, letting his spoon drop into the
dish with splash
Il think it is very nice," said Josie.
''And the beef roasted, when I told
cook especially to have it boiled"
Dear met said Mrs. Mayburne,
''where is the difference?"
Difference, ma'am = differencen
barked Philo, "enough difference to
spoil my dinner, that's ALL
And. pushing back his chair, he
strobe away from the table.
Mrs. Mayburne stayed to finish her
meal and then sauntered into the
parlor, where her spouse sat glaring at
the fire.
"Where are my slippers, Mrs. May
burner"
''On the rug, close to your feet, my
dear"
II don't want the slippers with the
fox's head on, | want the slippers with
the rosebuds and leaves. It's very
strange man can't take any comfort
in his own house!'
Josie rang the bell and ordered
"rosebuds and leaves" but the next
rock to split upon was the newspaper.
where's my paper? What's the
reason man can never find paper
when he wants it?'
s'Here it is. Philo, folded neatly
under the books" she responded.
"And what is it under the books fori
Why isn't it left where I can find it!''
''If you had looked around my
dear"
'But don't want to look around"
And Mr.. Mayburne unfolded the
sheet and began to read, his brows still
ominously contracted, while Josie sat
smiling beside him, herpurpose shaping
itself more and more definitely in her
mind at every moment that the clock
measured off with silyery tick.
The next evening Mr.. Mayburne
came home rampant as usual. The
sitting-room was dark and chilly as he
stumbled in.
"No light?" he demanded, queru-
lousy.
whats the use of light?" pettishly
asked his wife, who was reclining on
the sofa, under an embroidered afghan.
"The fire has gone out half an hour
ago."
1.-The fire outr' Philo stood aghast.
" But why didn't you have it kindled
up againPn
Everything goes wrong" grumbled
| 4 L
shoulders. ''The kindlings were wet
and the chimney smoked, and -"
''Well, well, my DEAR" said Philo.
driven to the unwonted task of conso-
lation, II dare say it will be all right. -
ttAll wrong, more likely" fretted
Josie. at IS SO trying; and dinner ism t
ready, although it's half past six, and
the fruit hasn' t come for dessert, and
I'm so discouraged!''
"We'll do without the fruit, then"
''There's no other dessert. y
'My dear Josie, it isn't best to let
little things fret you'll
'.I'll discharge the cook tomorrow, :"
| said Josie, acrimoniously.
20, no, dear! / wouldn't do that;
she understands her business remark
ably well"
"She burned the oysters yesterday. =
| "Only seorehed 'em, that was ALI
"She is always be hindhand with the
meals"
son the contrary, my dear Josie. she
is generally the soul of punctuality.
Where is my dressing gown"
81 am sure don't know, " said Josie,
spiritlessly. .sThat tchambermaid makes
a rule of putting things just where no.
body can ind them"
20, here it is, back of the door, =
said Philo, ''just where she always
hangs it"
''Then why didn't you look there be
fore you asked?n demanded the wife.
Mr. Mayburne found it convenient not
to hear, but poked the fire diligently.
''There you 60, scattering ashes all
over the velvet rug" said Josie,
tartly.
Mr.. Mayburne checked himself, and
sat down shivering, in a rocking
chair.
81 wish you would stop creaking tha
chair groaned his wife; "my poor
nerves are all in quiver. Why dom
they send up dinner?"
There the bell now,'' said Philo
jumping up with alacrityi ''comt
Josie y
81 don't think 1 care for any dinner
now that have been kept waiting 81
long," said Mrs Mayburne.
snow. my dear Josie, don't be un
reasonable. l dare say they've go
something very nice for us"
The beefsteak was cold, the potatoe:
water-soaked and the turnips dried likt
mummies, while the bread was new
and heavy. Mr.. Mayburne opened hi
lips to complain, but Josie was before
hand with him.
s'My goodness graciousr' she ejacu
lated, with uplifted hands and eyes
'Such a dinner! Take me away, Philo
l can't eat mouthful.'
''Just little bit of the steak, dear
it's very juicy
'Not a particlen said Josie, EN-
phatically. Sarah, tell the cook sh
may go tomorrow"
MY dear, my dear, pray consider
There's a chicken coming witt
bread sauce suggested Sarah, witt
twinkling eyes.
''Chicken and bread sauce-the yer,
Al L \ : z Il IL.