Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-10-12
THE DEADLY PIE.
BY MARY M'ALl.lSTER.

Il was never so mortified in all my
life; just to think Of those city relations
Of ours coming all the way out here to
see us, and 1 haven't pie in the house.
What ON earth will I give them for
SUPERB" said Mrs. Henderson as
she hustled about as the family were
just sitting down to their evening meal.
Just give them what you have,
mother" said her husband. "What is
good enough for us certainly ought to
suit them"
1T will have to this time; for can
not go to baking now, and 1 suppose
they are just about famished. It's al
ways the way; if q body has nothing
cooked company is sure to come"
Mr.. and Mrs. Greene We're OH their
way to new home in the West, and
had stopped, at the urgent invitation of
their relatives in Indiana, to make them
avisit. They had travelled a long dis
lance that day and brought good appe
ttes to the tea-table, where they We're
soon seated.
Il hope yea, can make out a supper; 1
declare, was never SO near out of any
thing baked in my life. but have been
50 busy, drying fruit, and making pre-
serves, and quilting, and housekeeping,
and dyeing my carpet-rags these last
two days, that 1 haven't cooked any
thing: get so shiftless sometimes" said
Mrs. Henderson as she poured out the
tea
Don't talk about being shiftless;
Cousin Sarah; should think you had
done enough work for dozen women,
besides I don't see what more you could
wish for supper if you We're entertain
ing the President, said Mrs. Greene,
glancing over the well-flled table.
That's just what 1 told her, but she
calls this an empty table; now to see
what constitutes an empty table, we
will take all inventory OF stock" said
the farmer, producing notebook and
pencil. Bread first, because it is the
staff of life"
Yes" interrupted Mrs. Greene. so
light and beautiful that it seems wicked
to eat it" -
Then cold-boiled ham, because man
cannot live by bread alone; four differ
ent kinds of pickles, two sweet and two
sour; six varieties Of fruit, five kinds of
cake, homemade cheese, butter and
milk, tea and coffee, and fried potatoes.
Is that all, Sarah? or have you some
thing more on that empty table in the
corner?' asked Mr.. Henderson, leaning
back in his chair and smiling kindly at
his wife.
You can afford to laugh, John, but
men never know how q woman feels to
nave nothing to put before company"
SAID Mrs. Henderson, with sigh, as
SHE looked at her pieless table.
1 haven't heard table groan so for
many day. said Mr.. Greene pleas
anty.
The next morning Mrs. Henderson
poured out the coffee with satisfied
SMILE upon her countenance; she had
,eueemeG her reputation as good
n''se-keeper; she had something for
breakfast.
Well, Cousin Sarah, I should like
70 know if you sat up all night, cook
'ps remarked Mrs. Greene as she sur
eyed the loaded table.
:, No. indeed, had a good nights
S'eep; went to bed at 10 o'clock. ;"
\, What time did you get up?' asked
Mrs. Greene.
oh, reckon it was about three, y
vas the answer.
Up at o'clock! You will kill your
'eil, exclaimed Mrs. Greene.
suppose that does seem early to
i" city folks, but I am used to it. l
q, :"'e to get up earlier than that some
, ,":ies to accomplish all l have to do, /"
'" At, Mrs. Henderson, proudly.
Oear me, I never heard Of the like.