Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-05-12
NELL'S JELLY.

and my little wife as fresh as a rose.
l like that, Nell. I've always
thought that if anything could put
me out of temper with the woman l
loved it would be to come home and
find the house topsy-turvy and my
wife in a soiled wrapper and with a
rough head. Little woman you're a
treasure and Pm proud of you !"
And Edward Hastings kissed his
pretty bride until her cheeks glowed
like the red June roses in the sum
shine.
She was very happy, very much
pleased and flattered 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 homework in the early morn
ing hours.
Come when he might, her husband
always found his little home in order,
the cupboard stored with something
good to eat, and his wife dressed in a
fresh wrapper, with flower in her
hair and a smile of welcome on her
fair face.
eff there is one thing more likely
to provoke fellow than another"
he went on, lingering moment in
the sunny porticO, his arm around
her waist, "tis to bring friend home
to dinner or luncheon and find every
thing out of sorts. Now there's
Gravesley; his wife's fine woman
when you see her out-a snowy wo-
man, always well dressed. Well,
Gravesley invited me to lunch that
day when we were to gether. l
went, but l was sorry enough for it..
Such a house as we found-all heels
overhead, and / caught sight Of the
mistress disappearing up the stairs in
curl papers and slippers. She was in
disposed and could not see us, the
girl said. We lunched on bread and
cheese, and Gravesley, poor fellow,
though he said nathing, looked eX-
ceedingly annoyed. l should have
been angry. l think 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 be
afraid to invite friend home with
you, Ned. No matter if l don't
know, l shall be ready to receive
YOU"
Ned gave her ringing kiss.
every well, little woman, 1 shall
try you one of these days-and now l
must run. Good-by."
She watched him out of sight with
happy eyes, and then went back to
her pretty sitting room and her work
table.
A month later the sumUuer 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. Now, Mr.. Hastings won't
be home till late today. | want tC
spend the day with mother tomor.
row, and | should very much like tC
get the job off my hands today
What do you say?"
81 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 O.
order. Perhaps we may find time
to straighten up when we get the
fruit cooking. Hurry, now, and pick
as fast as you can, and I'll steE
over to Browns and order some SUI
gar and jars"
Jane obeyed, leaving the breakfas
room unswept and the front steps un
washed.
1t was high noon before the frs
kettle of juice was got in cooking
order.
Making currant jelly was more o
an undertaking than Mrs. Tasting
imagined.
She had seen it made at home un
der her mothers supervision, anC
making it herself she fancied would
be quite as easy.
"Dear me, how the time flies! d.