Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-12-27

What could | answer but that II
should be rs he wished, while my
thoughts few towards tho now cook
book that was stin in tho box among
my wedding presents. Sarah had re-
sentod the idea OF using IL and, alasi |
had never thought Il worth while Oe-
fore this morning 10 look into ~
you may send up some beef FOR
roast, y ! said, in an assured way, and
| could not help seeing that Reuben
felt that we were just beginning 10 live.
I set about the days work confident
and happy. ut is just as Reuben
says" / whispered to myself as | sat
down with my cookbook. and looked
through The chapter on meats and veg
ctables first, "a woman with any grace
and an idea OF the fitness OF things, is
sure OF making cooking a success, with
out giving such constant care to IT,"
The meat came. a very largo piece;
but then Reuben liked TO do things In
grand way, and was very glnd OF
II. could not endure nm over-care-
ful man who had even the suspicion
OF trying 20 scrimp about him. The
blackberries were large, fresh ones.
put my kitchen in order, and de-
cided that would begin at once my
preparations for dinner. quickencd
the heat of the range, turned TO the
pastry receipts, and followed down the
column until came TO blackberry
pie. brought out my flour, lard,
sugar and pastry-board. There was
no rule for the proper quantities for
one pie, and nothing exact as 10 the
mixing OF the crust but / was not
much disturbed by this, indeed l
thought the compiler OF the book
had shown due respect TO tho natural
faculties OF the housekeeper," and
! put generous amount OF -four
into the pastry bowl, and in the CEN
ter lump OF lard.
CThe rule said rub the lard In, using
the hands as little as possible. III
not the hands, what?" asked. "Of
course a spoon" my wiser self said 10
my first ignorance. There must be
water. l brought pitcher, poured in
what / thought would be a generous
quantity, and began 20 stir the mix.
ture. "Stir lightly" stared at me
from the open book, but IL was not so |
easy TO stir lightly as one might
imagine. At last the dough seemed
ready for the molding-board, and i
emptied the bowl and began TO roll out
my crust Such time as / nad II |
took all my strength TO get II into |
shape, but at last had filled tho crust |
with the berries, put on the pastry |
cover, trimmed the edge and placed |
my first pie in the oven, with a hope |
that amounted almost to triumph, that |
II would be even more worthy of the
name than n like effort Of Reuben's
mother. ! sat down TO enjoy the feel
ing, and had lived in imagination
through all the praise that would be
given me on account OF my great
success, when my reverie was broken
by sound from the oven. l opened
the door; my pie was very brown and
there was pool OF juice around it.
| took II hastily out and looked at IL
in dismay. What could do2 Plainly
nothing.
consoled myself for the lost juice
as well as possible, and remembering
that Reuben had once said he did not
like pale pie-crust. decided that though
mine did loo6 a shade darker than
his mothers, It was not surely spoiled.
The fire was certainly too hot, when
the meat was cooked needed TO make
it slower. Following this decision the
heat OF the oven was reduced. and the
beef put into a pan half filled with
water. l meant TO have some gravy.
Sarah usually failed in giving US all
we wanted.
The dinner hour came, and / was
dressed in a pretty muslin, and met
my husband in the hall. He met me
with those little words Of greeting,
that women prize 50 much, that might
seem small and even foolish when
told, and led the way to the dining
room as to the place of my crowning.
Reuben began TO carve; he was a
long time about 1t, and he turned the
meat several times before he cut the
second slice. watched his face eager
ly. wished TO discover a sign Of his
qualification before it was expressed.
But saw nothing to encourage my
hope that he would speak the words
that so longed 10 hear We had eaten
for minute in silence, when he re-
marked:
81 ordered a tender piece OF beef,
but he has sent me the worst roast i
ever had"
Plainly the beef was great disap-
pcintment, and he was trying 10 make
me believe that he thought the butcher
should have the blame. | tried to
hide my bitterness, and began TO have
fear with regard to the pie; If that
should be a failure / should be dis
graced indeed
II proved worse than / had feared.
Reuben tasted a piece, laid down his
fork and said in tones that he tried TO
have me think we're those OF jest: "a
man never finds the pie-crust Of to-day
what he reads OF in novels. and pie
isn't fit for one TO eat, any way. unless
unless he feels that his stomach is up
TO the greatest effort Of digestion, and
mine isn't to-day"
Then | knew that l had utterly
failed-knew il before tried 10 taste
morsel OF the heavy stuff | lad 50
recklessly put together. and had dared
to hope it might be even better than
my husbands mothers pie.
Why do you try 10 make fun OF
meP' burst out "You at least might
have respected my intentions" ad-
dcd, as rose from the table flushed
and excited. Reuben followed me into
our little parlor, and tried TO explain.
but II was not an explanation that