The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-12-09
Mrs. Burke's Pudding.
BY MARY N. PRESCOTT.


1t had always been the custom in
Mrs. Capulet's day to bake ono of her
best plum-puddings during Christmas
week for the char-woman, Mrs. Burke,
who was never likely to taste such a
dainty at other seasons. "Why should
we keep all the good things to ourselves
she used to ask, "eat plum-pudding
whenever we fancy it, and this poor,
hardworking woman never know the
taste of such morsel2" 1t was also tho
custom of the house "to build" as
Harry Capulet used to say, several of
these rich puddings at the same time;
they would keep for weeks or months
without spelling, and there they were,
at moments notice, if dinner company
arrived unexpectedly on washing or iron
ing days, when it was inconvenient to
concoct nice desserts. When Mrs.
Harry Capulct took the man
agement Of affairs after his
! mothers death, her husbands cousin,
who had been regent during the inter-
regnum, said to her at Christmas-time
81 hope, dear, you will continue Mrs.
Burke's pudding; she has received il for
so many years. she will feel injured, Pm
afraid, unless you do"
ooh, certainly" answered Mrs. Harry,
who was of an economical turn of mind !;
81 shall give Mrs. Burke a pudding, but
not one of these. What arc you think
ing about-waste all these dclicacics on
a char-woman2'
"Gingerbread pudding, with a few
raisins added, will satisfy her quite as
WE'LL" put in Mrs. Harry's sister.
"What they cal! poor mans pud-
ding?" asked Mrs. Harry.
"Yes-thc very thing"
'cBut my DEAR" expostulated Sue
Capulet, "NIrs. Burke will know; she
has been accustomed to the best.
bave made it principle to send her as
good as kept; hated to scrimp her at
Christmas time"
"Oh, you're too extravagant, Cousin
Sue. Besides, you give an old ignorant
char-woman credit for all your own vir-
tues and tastes. don't think it worth
while to waste so much money upon her;
poor mans pudding is more appropri-
ate for the circumstances.
'Noblesse oh ige," insisted Sue. Bu,
Mrs Harry laughed, and ordered the
poor mans pudding to be baked the
same size as her own plum puddings.
~ can hardly tell them apart, cook
has given them all such rich brown.
Surely the proof of the pudding is in the
baking as well as the eating"
But Sue sighed "NIrs. Burke i.
English. You won't be able to deceive
her about an English pium-pudding."
"rm not going to label it, and SHE
can take it or leave it. Beggars shouldn't
be choosers, I've heard" cried Mrs
Harry, who couldn't keep her temper a
we'll as she could keep other things.
"That was pudding" said Mrs
Burke, one morning after Christmas
having come in for some work. Mrs.
Harry looked at Sue. 'I think" con
tinucd Mrs. Burke" ''they grow nicel
every year, Mrs. Capulct. This on,
just melted in your mouth; it was to-
good for poor folks"
''rhcrcw cried Mrs. Capulct, as seol
as Mrs. Burke's back was turned, "wha
did tell you, Sue! After educatin!
Mrs. Burke up to the English plum
pudding! This is all the good it doc
to educate the lower classes, you see."
~ hope it isn't blarncy in Mrs
Burke" hazarded Sue.
IA man convinced against his will,
of the same opinion STILL"
| quOteu Mrs. larry.
After this, whenever Sue and Mrs
Harry disagreed. her sister would say
Remember Mrs. Burke's pudding,
Suc." However, the matter faded ou
of their minds in time, and perhaps the
would never have thought of it again
Mr.. Gus Blake hadn't happened to dro
in upon them. Now. Mr.. Blake WI
somebody worth while in Miss Lily
eyes. She had met him here an
there, danced with him at german:
yachted with him, plcnicked with hin
lunchcd with him; once he had eve
sent her some flowers; she had some {
them now, pressed in a book of loy
sonnets. He was one of those cordi;
people who shake hands as if they wer
making love. Miss Lily was more tina
fond Of his society; she intended t
marrJ him. But it was pity tn;
he should arrive on the only day in Il
week when they had picked-up dil
ncr.
There is one of the Christmas put
dings left, at any rate" said Mrs. Harr.
"that will redeem the dinner"
Mr.. Gus Blake was very alfable :
usual. He and Lily sang duets togeth
. before dinner; she had also to show hi
over the grounds, The view of the rive
the eagles nest; they hunted for fou
, leaved clovcrs together, and she told L
fortune with daisy. He was comp
men:ary and gallant. Lily felt as if
crisis was at hand. They met Sue, wi
A her hands full OF wild flowers, comir
. from school,
!. "a neighbour he asked, with h
6 most Indifferent manner, as she just no
Nded and hurried by.