Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1890-11-22
MRS. BURKE'S PUDDING.

Capulet's day to bake one of her best
plum puddings during Christmas week
for the charwoman, Mrs. Burke, who
was never likely to taste such dainty at
other seasons. "Why should we keep
all the good things to ou selves, she
used to ask; "eat plum pudding when
ever we fancy it, and this poor hard
working woman never knew the taste of
such morsel?" 1t was also the custom
of the house "to build" as Harry Cap
ulet used to say, several of these rich
puddings at the same time; they would
keep for weeks or months without spoil
ing. and there they were, at moments
notice, if dinner company arrived unex-
pectediy on washing or ironing days,
when it was inconvenient to concoct
nice desserts. When Mrs. Harry Cap
uet took the management of affairs after
his mothers death, her husbands cousin.
who had been regent during the interreg-
mum, said to her at Christmas time: II
hope, dear, you will continue Mrs.
Bur ke's pudding; she has received it for
so many wears she will feel in jured un-
less you do.
"Oh, certainly" answered Mrs. Harry,
who was o. an eco onical turn of mind;
II shall give Mrs. Burke a pudding, but
not one Of these. What are you think
ing al out-waste all these delicacies on
a charwoman?
Gingerbread pudding, with a few
raisins added, will satisfy her quite as
well, put in Mrs. Harry's sister.
"What they cili Il poor mans pud-
ding?" asked Mr.. Harry.
"Yes, the very ing"
"But, my de II, expostulated Sue
Capulet, Mrs. Brke will know; she
has been accustomed TO the best. Ihave
made it principle to send her as good
as l kept; hate to scrimp her at Christ
mas time.
"Oh, you're to extravagant, Cousin
Sue. Besides, you give an old ignorant
charwoman credit for all your own
virtues and tastes. | don't think it
worth while to waste so much money
upon her; poor mans pudding is more
appropriate for the circumstances. "
"Noblesse oblige," insisted Sue. But
Mrs. Harry laughed, and ordered poor
mans pudding to be baked the same
size as her own plum pudding.
Il can hardly tell them apart, cook
has given them all such rich brown.
Surely the proof of the pudding is in the
baking as well as the eating.
But Sue sighed Mrs. Burke is Eng
lish You won't be able to deceive her
about an English plum pudding"
Pm not going to label it and she can
take it or leave it. Beggars shouldn't be
choosers, I've heard" cried Mrs. Harry,
who couldn't keep her temper as we'll as
she could keep other things.
THAT was a pudding!" said Mrs.
Burke, one morning after Christmas,
having come in for some work. Mrs.
Harry looked at Sue. II think" con-
tinued Mrs. Burke, "they grow nicer
every year, Mrs Capulet. This one just
melted in your mouth; it was too good
for poor folks.
"There! cried Mrs. Capulet, as soon as
Mrs. Burke's back was turned, "what
did l tell you, Sue! After educating
Mrs. Burke up to the English plum pud-
ding! This is all the good it does to ed
ucate the lower classes, you see.
Il hope it isn't blarney in Mrs Burke, I"
hazarded Sue.
"A man convinced against his will,
Is of the same opinion STILL"
quoted Mrs. Harry.
After this, whenever Sue. and Mrs.
Harry di agreed, her sister would say,
Remember Mrs. Burke's pudding, Sue.
However, the matter faded out of their
minds in time, and perhaps they would
never nave thought of it again if Mr..
Gus Blake hadn't happened to drop in
upon them. Now. Mr.. Blake was some.
body worth while in Miss Lily's eyes.
She had met him at germans, yachted
with him, picniced with him, lunched
with him; once he had even sent her
some flowers; she had some of them
now, pressed in book of love sonnets.
He was one of those cordial people who
shake hands as if they were making
love. Miss Lily was more than fond OF
his society; she intended to marry him.
But it was pity that she should arrive
on the only day in the week when they
had picked up dinner.
"Tnere is one of the Christmas pud.
dings left, at any rate" said Mrs. Harry;
SHAT will redeem the dinner.
Mr. Gus Blake was very affable az
usual. He and Lily sang duets together
bafora dinner. she had also To show him