The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-02
AFTER THE HONEYMOON.

AFTER THE HON NEN MOON.
When Lily and Ralph first fell in love
they were very young, and nothing more
is to be said. They looked upon each
other as superior beings, and married
still holding that opinion. However,
the honeymoon being over and house.
keeping begun, breakfasts that turned
out as they pleased. and dinners that
had 10 be apologised for. rather changed
Ralph's mood. His mother had been a
perfect paragon in domestic affairs, and
the meals and laundry-work had always
been faultless under her roof. To be
sure, she had been an experienced
widow when she married his father, and
ne was the only child of people who had
money enough and no struggles before
them. Lily had never made cup of
tea until he bestowed upon her the
honor of his name and a verv limited
income.
She had done the best with it if he
had but known it; and it was very cruel
of him to burst out one morning with
these words:
"Ah, what would my mother say if
she could see me eating steak scorched
outside and raw within?"
at is too bad" sail Lily. "It's a
shame. Biddy doesn't know anything"
Then you should teach her." said
Ralph. My mother arose at five and
superintended the servants"
"l'll get up earlier, Ralph" said Poor
Lily. And She did. But the next days
breakfast was even more of II failure.
The two girls-lady and servant-were
utterly ignorant of the art of cooking,
and Bridget. under Lily's advice, sur
passed herself in her own line-that of
making culinary failures.
Ralph was cruel this morning, Lily
thought. He had so lately been a lover
should conduct himself like man ut
hotel who was i'll served. Her blood
boiled; she grew flushed and furious;
she kept Il restraint upon herself, how
ever and did not say:
III you could let me pay the wages
for Il good cook, we might live better.
A little green girl at ten pounds year
will hardly prove satisfactory"
She bit her tongue. but she would not
utter these words. Women keep the
romance of their courting days longer
than men. How could she quarrel with
her lover. the man who had thought it a
JOY 10 hold her hand n year ago?
She did her best not to show her feel
ings; and she bought a cookery book
instead of IA new scarf she had wished to
have. and studied 1t carefully.
Alas. experience is so much!
She tried other breakfasts; ham
bought cooked and cut in slices-fruit
coffee. He spoke of being starved.
She made a meat pie; it was curious
thing when it was cut; no one ate n
monthful She cried He frowncd, and
fell back upon his mother again; that
praiseworthy lady was quoted morning,
noon and night. My mother never
forgetS buttons; my mother never wastes
time; my mothers preserves; my
mothers tea; my mothers housekeep-
ing" fell from his lips at regular inter-
walls. My mothers temper" was quoted
ut last.
Lily was n good girl, and loved her
husband; but it would never be quite
the same to her rs if Ralph had been
kinder: little of the bloom was off the
plum OF malrimnny, but she would not
let the whole fruit spoil She did her
best very 'atientiy, and finally he
should really have bestowed praise, and
did not, and was really wrong and
blameworthy; but Lily held her tongue;
she was proud and spirited, AMI she
had certain rod i'll pickle for this
young man.
1t was Christmas Day. Ralph had
calculated, he said, on being invited
home. "They will ask us, of course, on
Christmas Day." he said. But his
mother. on this occasion, broke through
her usual custom.
II shall dine out myself with some
old friends she told him; ''and, oi
course, YOUR father and O'Donuel are
going out, too;" and Ralph felt very
sorry But for his opinion of Lily,
| cook .ng, he should have had great pleas
ure in getting his friends about him il
his own house that day; but he felt i
would not do.
He went out for walk that morning
and. returning, found the table set. Al
was bright and pretty; but there were
| plates for four.
You haven't asked company, m!
| dear?" he said.
well, yes; just two people" saiC
Lily.
"Twow said Ralph. well, they will
wish they had staid at home. My dear
| | hope tnev have not delicate digeStions
our dinners will be dangerous if they
have. Turkey, plum-pudding. anu
mince pie, suppose; 1 smell them; an,
what will you or Bridget do with themi
| Heaven knows"
Then he gave a start as his mothe
! and father entered from the parlor
laughing ut his surprise.
'I'm delighted to see you." he said
kissing his mother and giving his han,
TO his father; "but roally-our dinners.
He sighed. Lilly can't cook as you do
mother"
The dinner was brought in; it dir
| smell nice. They seated themselves
all we're served. Ralph, however, aC
| companied each dish with apologies
while all, even himself. ate heartily
"Its not as bad as usual" he thought
secretly, but he said nothing, and woun,
up by remarking, as he passed g las
of wine TO his father:
"Weil, we haven't spoiled this. Sine
wine is uncooked d-Heaven bless il
! Otherwise"
Ralph" said his mother, sharply
.'this was an excellent dinner"
Thank you he said. Il never kneN
you TO tell lib before; and this is sue
an amiable one"
You are not amiable, Ralph" sai'
mamma. Poor Lily has done her best