Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-10-17
HIS MOTHERS COOKING.

Four girls sat around pretty lunch
table on which was sproud very nice
little meal. The room tastefully fur
nished and the dress of the hostess
the last thing in tea-gowns-proved
that she had an ample purse at COM
mand. So, in fact, did the china, the
silver, the damask upon the board.
The tea-gown, the little cap perched
upon the lovely hair, all the matronly
affections of dress. as well as the we'd
ding-ring and keeper upon her finger,
were tokens that she had now been
married year. But as her guests
studied her face they became aware
that 1T wore worried, puckered look
that they had never seen upon it in
the days of her single blessedness, and
being near relations and very intimate
they did not make any pretense of not
noticing it.
You don't look well, my DEAR"
said her cousin Persis, breaking the
silence.
You don't look comfortable, some
how said her sister Fannie. 81 know
that look of old"
"You look cross" said Fleda, plump
ly taking another tea-bscuit from the
plate. THAT is the long and short of
1t, Penelope"
THANK YOU" said Penelope, tossing
her head. But suddenly she set
the plate she was about passing to her
guests down upon the table again,
tished little scrap of lace and linen
cambria from some mysterious recess
OF the tea-gown, and applied it to her
eyes.
''He hasn't taken to beating you, has
hep" asked Persis.
"Why, what question: OF course
notm screamed Penelope.
AT all events" said Persis, 81 had
as soon be dashed with whip as with
tongue"
Laurence is incapable of scolding,"
said Mrs. Chapone.
but is it Laurencep" said Fannie.
lit is always the husband when one
is married" said Persis.
''Yes. | confess it is Laurence. He
-he-he is always talking about his
mothers cooking" sobbed Penelope,
fairing breaking down. HE really
did love the things his mother made
for him. Now. | deal with a good
baker; have Vienna bread; | vary the
sorts, all light and good, and | think l
know about meat and vegetables, and
like fruit desserts. / can buy so much
that is good. but it is that old New
England homemade cookery that
Laurence pines for. The other dav
he said in quite tragic way, oh, for
one of those dear old boiled apple
pumplings."
''Awfuly indigestible," said Persis
in her doctors voice
| went to visit dear Mrs. Chapone
before | was married" said Penelope,
sand you went with me, Fannie"
''How kind she was" said Fannie.
''She was always cooking something
good
''Goodm said Penelope 20 Fannie,
j love and respect my mother-in-law.
She is the salt of the earth. But
everything swan in grease"
1.-The bread came TO the table from
the oven," said Fannie.
-Four kinds each meal" said Pene-
lOpe. Coffee, tea, chocolate. pies,
waffies, for breakfast. Bacon, fried
potatoes. fried eyerything-'
And she made one taste it ALL
laughed Fannie.
when we got home," said Pene.
lope, 1--WE went to bed and had 8
bilious attack apiece. All that time
Laurence lived in the country, out OF
doors all the while on horseback, in
the open air for hours, rowing, fishing,
experimenting the farm work. lend
ING hand himself You know lum
bermen up in Maine can live on fat
pork and beans. But now he comes
from his office to the flat or walks {