The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-01-03

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Mother. dear. will you grant me afavor2
Daisy is away, 30 she can't laugh at me even
| If do make mistakeP."
Edith Nelson was the speaker. She was
pretty, deliclte- looking girl of sixteen,
| whose white hands showed that labor as YET
had been thing unknown TO them.
can answer you better, Edith, when
hear what the favor is to be-"
Il want to practice cooking to-day in
stead Of my music. Let me prepare that
nice little turkey you bought for poor old
| Sally's Christmas dinner"
Mrs. Nelson's face expressed her sur
prise at Edith's sudden fancy, for Daisy
| had always been the notable one of the
two, while Edith had been the book
| worm.
Certainly + will say yes " was her an
swer, although yon will have to work un-
| der difficulties. I shall be busy and SO
shall Bridget, and Daisy won't be here to
show you. But what has put such an idea
in my little dreamei's hea2?"
Edlth's eyes answered her mothers loving
glance with one equally tender.
"I've been thinking what a drone / am
| in the family hive. I couldn't keep house
Bit nicely if you should be taken sick or
should be called away from home suddenly,
| .ud I'm ashamed Of myself.
| Mrs. Nelson SIN. led. But we are not
ashamed of you, dear"
Il know il, mother; and I'm going to de-
| serve to have you proud of me- that is of
| my hardness, as you say of Daisy"
But why undertake 80 much the first
| time! 1t requires some experience TO pre-
| pare and roast fowl.
But shall all the time be thinking OF
how Sally will enjoy eating it, and 70 that
| will keep ne from getting out of conceit OF
ny new employment. Then, too, to-mor-
| row we don't have dinner until late, and
I'm going to 60 over and set Sally's table,
roast her some Of those nice sweet-potatoes,
! so that she can make believe she's again in
her dear old home in the south.
well, Edith, this is an odd streak, to be
| sa,e. But 1 wish you success, and a good
appetite for your own dinner when You come
| will accept his invitation and accompany
lin home?"
| Il hope so, if he's nice. Daisy will en-
| Joy entertaining him. She's getting to be
,ucb young lady. She's real pretty. too;
| lon't you think SO, mother"
| I'm afraid I'm poor judge about my
children's comliness. I'M too partial. But
you've no time to spare. Run and get
ready for your work. l suppose you mean
TO cook the turkey to-day, and let Sally
have it cold to- morrow"
ayes: didn't say so? I meant it, any
way. You see don't want any but par
ial Witnesses of my crude, first attempt in
be culinery llne."
| Some hours later Daisy arrived, flushed
and beaming from her dive with the YOUNG
| divinity student who had come home to
| spend Christmas with his family, and who
had thus far spent more Of his lime hover
ing about the charmed spot which held the
tair young sister of Edith, the newly in
iustrious.
| Daisy's bright eyes opened wide.
| Edith Nelson, is the world coming to an
| end? You! and in the kitchen!"
| Yes; and see there! fixed every bit of
it with my own fingers" and Edith threw
| open the oven door, and pointed with proud
exultation, to the beautiful brown OF the
roasting fowl.
but it isn't half large enough for our
family. 1t went 60 more than third
round"
otis for old Sally"
'That's different thing. But whatput it
into your head to invade my rightful do
main? am the useful daughter, and you d
better be careful Or I'll be jealous and send
| you back to your books.
Daisys merry eyes and smiling face con-
| tradicted her words. So Edith's conscience
felt no qualms as her sister ran away with a
gay song upon her lips, to take off her
wraps.
The next day bright and early, Z iith filled
basket with eatables provided by her
mother for the crippled old woman, and
coaxing her young brother to carry it for
her, started for the tumble down cottage
| rhjch paya DOnr Sally shelter
"Good morning, Sally. I've come to
spend the morning with you. and you
| aust let me get the dinner. Try growing
so smart / want to be appreciated.
| The old woman's black face was study
as she listened to Edith.
"Ior' bress the sweet chile! She's agoine
to burn her lily fingers a-working for ole
Sally! but guess not, it allus takes two to
make trade, and we amt two on that
Iuestion-we's divided"
"But I always have my OWL way, Sally.
So you just sit down in that chair and look
me. I'll go home'if you don't"
While Edith spoke she was busy with the
contents Of her basket. First came the
nicely Drowned turkey, then a mince pie
| covered with powdered sugar. White
| cranes raisins. and nuts followed. Then
came two parcels.
(Which will you have for dinner? coffee
or tea? I've got some condensed milk ii
You want coffee
"Sare as the sun shines then. ole Sally II
have coffee, missy. But it make the tears
come to see such tahieful Of things. Il
makes me think Of ole Virginrv. and OF
massa and missus, and Mas'r Harry. h
was always a-bringing his ole mau'ma NUT
and sweeties."
you didn't mind being slave, did you
Saily?"
Dress you, chile, freedoms sweet, ever
if one has good massa and missus. II
have never come north though and LEFT
them hadn't my boy come fust. folleret
him, but it was only to see him die: L
he'd lived wouldn't have been like this,
and for an instant the old woman rocked t.
and fro absorbed in her grief for bel
boy; 49,.
asked you such q question. / want you tt
be happy to-day. That's why came t.
you myself"
You're Dressed angel, chile, and II
try not to feel bad just to please you"
While Edith talked, she was busy at be-
unwonted work, and bF flushed cheeks
and bright eyes made such difference IL
her looks, that Sally noticed it and com.
mented on the change in her own way.
flaws. chile she said, admiringly, ".
never knowed that cooking made folk
han dsome. d.clar' to goodness you lool
asthough you d been painted. and your eye
shine as bright as that Dffee pot"
Edith laughed.
They must be bright daen. But, come
dinners ready. You sit down and II
wait on you. I'm in love with house%1rk
lm going to practice every day. See If
don't win as many golden opinions hence
forth as our D aisy does"
/ Just as Sally was comfortably fixed at thu
table, a t. undering knock came at the door
and when Edith opened it, che was caugh
in her brothers arms.
"Halloo, Puss, I've found you at last!
he exclaimed Il couldn't wait till yo'
came home. This is my friend, Harr.
Clement. You've heard all about Fuss
Harry, and she's heard all about you, 81
you needn't be so stiff, and play that you
are strangers to ONE another"
Edith colored at this novel introduction
but she said. with smile: