The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-30
A GOOD COOK.


How Q Gentleman Arose Early and Sur-
prised his Wife.
Early at morning Colonel Harvey Bas-
com awoke aud lay for a time in the
contemplation cfhis coming DAYS work.
lie remembered that the cook had gone
away on an excursion and that DURING
her absence the culinary work would
desolve upon Mrs Bascom.
al used to be first-rate cook whom 7
was boy" the Colonel unused. be
lieve III quietly slip out and get break
fast When she awakes and finds ev-
ervthing ready. she II feel that a grea.
burden has been lifted from her shout.
ders. for she does hate to cook. Well.
/ don't blame her any. If | couldn',
cook any Letter than she can | would
hale it, too.
The Colon-l qFietly slipped ont and
kindl ID fire in the kitchen store. He
was not like old Darby. He did net oct
his hands stuck up with dough, neither
d d he allow p TO COM, in and upset
the churn. Int with s:ns hls work!nv
system, he prepared breakfast.
Come Mary said the Colonel.
entering hi, w;fe's room. "Come, it is
time 10 get Up.
..Oh, dear,' vawned Mrs. Bascom.
Il do hate to 60 ont into that old
kitchen"
The Colonel laughed. WHY, MARY
sad he, while his face beamed brightly.
I" brea kfaSt i ali ready"
"What. has the cook come back?n
'.No; got breakfast myself
s.You did,
81 did
81 d DIN t know that Won coull cook"
Il KIN w it. Husde on yoa clio has
and come on. must be getting down
town.
When they enteret the dining-room
Mr.. Bascom was amazed. A steaminy
dish of sc 'ambled eggs. occupying 4
central position. was particularly at
tractive: and, "a an alluring ad'unct 10
the feast, broiled steak perfumed the
air.
"You are the smartest thing l ever
saw Mrs. Bascom d ,clared.
TIE Colonel was pleased. He wa
tickled The sounds OF praise fell with
sweet cadence upon his e rs He turned
10 wash basin ana was bathing his
face when Mrs. Bascom, in tone of
alarm said:
Look Eere. didn't YOU wash your
face and hands before You got break
fast??'
"Of course l did, Mary"
Of course he d d not. but it would not
do 10 chnowle !gG the ON SIS on.
g. dion Il, cont bel eve you dill"
Mary, now why co you want to dis
pute my worl?"
But if V II washed your hands once
= mora n, why 20 YOU va h aga nj?
have never before k Town Won to be SO
part cular.
well. ats all right Let's not
argue about t. | may not waste as
much wa er as som people do. but
have never been arrested by the SAM
tary pole man
Il he .er lid have any confidence in
tie cleanliness OF man You would \
put on c,ean : iirt moie than once in
two weeks if | didn't he p naggng at
sou.'
''That's got nothing TO do with this
breakfast. | dDn t know that | ever
cooked one of my shr.s. Help your
self
Mrs. Bascom was not thoroughly sat
Isle |. 5 e never questioned tie SAM
tary can:;t on of the negro cook. al
thong the cook was as black and greasy
As a pr:m tive wash pot, but woman ike.
and very naturally, too, she suspecte
the Colonel
T IS what call coffee, Mary T c
man w O b ats me making coffee M st
g out of bel before the rCosiers beg Ii
to roy, and even, tn II, If he don m nsl,
I'll stay up all N: ght and beat him any
no v
Mrs.. Bas ON helred herself to SPOON
tut of egg | know ti.ese eggs are good
for broke them IN the pan last ii L;
la the matter of eggs. risk no ju1g
ment but my own. Bah. my goodne 5
CO.onel.
''What'S III matter9"
Nv lat d d You 10 20 the eggs?"
It O0ked them. OF course Won hovo
to find ult." He took mouth +.
egg. His jaw dropp.,i They do tas.e
sorter curious h admitted.
What d Il You fry them in?''
''B con grease
"Where did YOU get it?e''
''ln the ar under the cupboard
'.Wo YOU We cooked them n sof,
soap" Tr ce,er.