Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-09-29
A WIFPS CONFUSION.

it would be to come home aud find the
house topsy-turvy and my wife in a soiled
wrapper and with rough head. Little
woman, you're treasure, and Pm proud
of you"
And Edward Hastings kissed his pretty
bride until her cheeks glowed like the red
June roses out in the sunshine.
She was very happy, very much pleased
and fattered at her husbands praise
They had Just been married six months,
and Nell was a pattern for all housewives
She arose with the birds that made their
nest in the great apple tree, and did her
housework in the early morning hours.
Come when he might, her husband al
ways found his little home in order, the
cupboard stored with something good to
eat, and his wife dressed in a fresh wrap
per, with flower in her hair and a
smile of welcome ON her fair face.
&" If there is one thing more than an
other" he went on, lingering moment
in the sunny portico, his arm around her
waist, "'tis to bring a friend home to
dinner or luncheon and find everything
out of sorts. Now there's Gravesley; his
wife's a fine woman when you see her
out-a snowy woman, always well-dressed.
Well, Gravesley invited me to lunch that
day we went out together | went, but
/ was sorry enough for it. Such house
as we found-all heels-over-head, and
caught sight of the mistress disappear
ing up the stairs in curl-papers and slip
pers. She was indisposed and could not
see us, the girl said. We lunched on
bread and cheese, and Gravesley, though
he said nothing, looked exceedingly an
noyed. should have been angry. /
think a wife should make it her duty to
keep house and person in presentable
order, so that her husband, come when
he may, may find her ready to welcome
him."
$50 do l." said Nell, smiling up into his
face. You need never to be afraid TO
invite friend home with you, Ned No
matter if don't know, shall be ready to
receive you"
Ned gave her ringing kiss
"Very well, little woman, shall try
you one of these days-and now ! must
run. Good-by."
She watched him out of sight with
lalPpy eyes, and then went back to her
pretty sitting-room and her workable
A month later the summer was on the
wane, and the fruits were well ripened
Jane" said Mrs. Hastings one bright
morning, returning from the garden gate
where she had parted with her husband,
have Just looked at the currants and
they are quite ripe. We must make our
Jelly at once. Now, Mr.. Hastings won't be
home till late to-day Iwant to spend the
day with mother tomorrow, and | should
very much like to get the job off my hands
to-day. What do you say ?"
| can soon pick the currants ma'am."
"All right; suppose you begin? We
won't clean up now. Let the house stand,
though it is dreadfully out of order Per-
haps we may find time to straighten up
when we get the fruit cooking. Hurry,
now, and pick as fast as you can, and Pll
step over to Browns and order some sugar
and Jars"
Jane obeyed, leaving the breakfast
room unswept and the front steps up
washed.
1t was high noon before the first kettle
of juice was got in cooking order.
Making currant jelly was rather more of
an undertaking than Mrs. Hastings i'm
agined.
She had seen it made at home under her
mothers supervision, and making it her
self she fancied would be quite as easy.
"Dear me, how the time flies! Do
hurry, Jane. What a lot there is yet to
strain But we must get it done. | dare
say it won't take the juice long to thicken.
Mamma used to make it in no time. What
are we to do about dinner, l wonder? We
can't cook the ham-theres no room on
the fire. emust have makeup dinner
when we have finished. Mr.. Hasting will
excuse us, I'm sure"
And, arrayed in her Holland apron, with
her pretty braids all pushed back and her
sleeves tucked above her elbows, Nell
worked away with all her might, picking,
boiling and straining, until her cheeks
were flushed and her head aehed.
"Why, Jane this juice won't jelly, and
it has boiled so long. What can be the
matter ?"
"There's something you put in it to
make it jelly, / think, ma'am."
"Oh, dear, no. Mother never did, Pm
sure Pll add more sugar and let it boil
another hour. Dear mel / thought we
should have our last kettle on by this
time. We shall be so late, and Pm tired
to death now | wish | had done as
mother said. She advised me to send the
currants over there and let Hannah make
the Jelly, but | was sure could do 1t my
self"
The steaming kettle boiled another
hour.
The summer sun hung above the green
summit of the poplars.
Surely it will Jelly now, Jane" said the
weary housewife, pouring some of the hot,
red liquid into cold water.
But Juice it remained, for all the cook
ing and stewing it had undergone.
"Oh, what shall do? Surely the stuff
must be bewitched. I've great mind to
pour it all away" cried poor Nell, ready
to cry with vexation.
"I tell you, ma'am, you put something
in to make it Jelly" persisted Jane.
@Oh, Jane, hush You know nothing
about it. l tell you, you don't put any
thing in. It is burning to the kettle now,
and Eve wasted ever so much sugar. Jane,
run over to mothers and ask Hannah to
run over will you? She'll know in a
minute what to do. Do pray, be quick; it
is dreadfully late"
Jane departed.
If cooking will do, FL make jelly of il
before Hannah gets here" she said.
But instead of boiling to Jelly. the cur
rant juice boiled over in great foamy, red
waves.
The fire hissed, and the dense smoke
and a pungent scent of burning sweets
filled the kitchen.
Spattered from head to foot with the
hot liquid, one hand scalded, her pretty
face besmeared, Nell retreated TO the door
in utter despair.
"Oh, wish / had never y
The sentence was never finished.
She stood dumb with horror, for coming
leisurely along the sunny garden path she
saw her husband and his particular friend,
Mr.. Warbur;on
"He has invited him home TO dinner p
she gasped, darting back into the smoky
kitchen. "Oh, what shalt do?"
Two or three narrowing minutes Of ssis-
peuse and her husband entered.