Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-05-10
Nell ready TO cry with vexation

j
Jane.
'sOh, Jane, hush! You know moth
ing about it. / tell you, you don't put
anything in. WHAT must I do Cook
it more? 1t is burning to the kettle
now, and I've wasted ever so much
sugar. Jane, run over to mothers
and ask Hannah to run over, will
you? She'll know in minute what to
do. Do pray, be quick; it is dread
fully late"
Jane departed.
IF cooking will do, III make jelly
of it before Hannah gets here" she
said
But instead Of boiling to jelly, the
currant Juice boiled over in great
foamy, red waves.
The fire Kissed, 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, I wish | had never
The sentence was never finished.
She stood dumb with horror, iUr
coming leisurely along the sunny gar
| den path she saw her husband and his
particular friend, Mr.. Warburton.
He has invited him home to din
ner!" she gasped. darling back into
the smoky kitchen. "Oh, what shall
| do?"
Two or three narrowing minutes of
suspense and her husband entered.
Nell, are you here? And what is
the matter? Is the kitchen on fire.?
The whole place is in a fog"
Nell came forward, looking more
like a tattooed Indian than the pretty
woman she was.
'I'm making currant jelly and l
thought you wouldn't be home till late,
Ned"
'Does it require such mess as this
to make currant Jelly? Aud what q
fright you are, Nell! I've brought
Warburton home to dine"
There's not mouthful of dinner,
Ned"
''What? Didn't I send a ham and
pair of chickens?"
81 had no time to cook; I've been
making jelly all day."
"Confound the jelly! Come. Nell,
you must get up some show of dinner"
Il can't, Nedi I'm tired to death,
and my hands burned. You shouldn't
have invited Mr.. Warburton without
letting me know"
Now, just hear that" cried the pro-
voked husband, latter telling me so
| often to bring a friend whenever 1
liked! Pm surprised at you, Nell!'
Nell sank into seat, and, covering
her face with her sticky apron, burst
into tears, while the jelly began to
steam over again.
Her husband, half beside himself
with the Kissing noise and his own
and in his efforts to get it off the stove,
upset it, deluging the floor.
'Tm glad of it! You've no bust
ness attempting to make the con-
founded stuff when you don't know
how" he cried, flouncing out of the
kitchen, and leaving his wife to have
her cry out: 'Ill 60 and send War
burton away"
Poor Nellie sobbed convulsively,
unmindful of the meandering red
river at her feet, until Hannah en-
tered.
"Why, dearie, what trouble you're
in, to be sure! and all your jelly vast
ed! But never mind, we'll have the
next kettle all right"
Nell sprang up and threw herself in
to the old woman's arms.
"Oh, Hannah! and Ned's gone to
send Mr.. Warburton away without his
dinner, and he'll never forgive me, :"
she sobbed.
Eyes, he will, dearie, yes, he will
don't you fret! I've sent them over to
your mothers for lunch. And now
let me tell you what to do. Put all
this ielly-making by till tomorrow
we'll begin bright and early in the
morning, and"-
but, Hannah, it won't come to
jelly"
''Oh, yes it will, when you add a
little gelatine."
Didn't tell you ma'am?" muttered
Jane, hopping up the red river.
Never mind the jelly now" con-
tinued Hannah, ''you and Jane set TO
work and get up a nice little supper,
and take down your curls and put on
your prettiest gown, and I'll hurry
over aud send the master and his guest
back about sunset; that'Il make every
thing right"
Nell demurred a little.
Ned was cruel to get into a pas
sion; he knew | couldn't help it" she
sobbed.
Old Hannah gave her look.
Hush, my dearie; put that foolish
pride in you~ pocket; you can't afford
to spoil your happiness. Mind what
old Hannah says"
And Nell obeyed.
She and Jane worked as they never
did before in their lives.
Sunset found the kitchen as clean as
a new pin-the unfortunate Jelly ban
ished and the dalntiest Of supper-tables
| set.
And as the sun went down, Nell her
self walked down the garden path to
| meet her husband, rObed in crisp,
white muslin, scarlet ribbon zoning
| her waist, Il rose in her hair.
''Tm glad to see you, Mr.. Warbur-
ton," she said snilinglv. You have
found me in great tribulation to-day.
| attempted what l did not under
stand and got into trouble. Ned,
| uedI' !oISNe me anu plIhS youL
friend in to supper"
"Oh, Nell, what brute l VAST
whispered her husband, OBTAINING her
a minute at the kitchen door. "Can
you forgive me? And your poor hand
burned. too. I'll dig up every currant
bush in the garden tomorrow"
NO, Ned" she replied. 4 shall
learn to make currantjeIly tomorrow.
Let them alone. "-New York. EUen-
ing World.