The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-08-02

| telling her that was to arrive to-day tt
make my first and long-de ferred visit tt
her, so l must make myself at homo nm
til she returns"
The sink was full OF unwashed dishes
which convinced Bessie that Mrs Shows
summons must indeed have beer
urgent, for Cousin Hannah was a most
methodical housekeeper; so she cover
cd her pretty dress with one of the capa'
cious aprons which she found hanging
behind the closet door, and then pro
ceeded to ''clear up" An examination
of the buttery showed Bessie that the
bread was all gone; but bowl of sifted
flower cheek by jowl with a yeast-cake,
proved that fresh baking had been
contemplated. One dry doughnut and the
'heel' of a sheet of gingerbread told
their own tale
81 wonder If Cousin Hannah will
mind If ] make her something for sup
per? | don't want to meddle, do want
to help; shall / cook or not cook?
l will follow mothers rule, which al
ways works well; she says: When in
doubt what to do try to do as you would
be done by If / had been away from
home all day nursing sick child l
know L would enjoy nice hot supper;
so will take the liberty of converting
those three cold, lonesome potatoes and
| that little scrap of corned beef into a
savory hash; that with some hot bis
cults, fresh ginger bread and cup of
tea ought not to go amiss to tired
Cousin Hannah"
Wbilo poccio ,y,o ~;
ing to carry out the old, old rule, the
two Mrs. Fords were conversing Just
outside the little post-ofiice.
80 Car'liner exclaimed Cousin Han
nah. 81 am glad to see you. I'm in a
dretful pickle! Here's letter from
Cousin Henry, up to Boston, you know,
thet I'd ought to "a got yis-day; but
that stupid boy into the Office hez only
jest give it to me. 1tsays thet Henry's
oldest girl is comm to visit with me
spell, anil be here to-day: an Cap'n
Snow says he see strange girl in the
stage with Sam'l Gardner this noon, so
/ s'pose she's a-waitin' to my house, all
alone. Now, Car'line, you know / never
did have no luck with my butter, an
this churnin' wuz wussn' ever; can't
you sell me some, jest while Henry's
girl is here?"
you know, Hammer, I'm ez willin' to
oblige ez most folks be, but I'm ex-
pectin' a niece O. mine to stay with me,
an hain't goin' to have no butter to
spare.'
Jest a little mite, ar'lihe-jest huff
fur her! I'll pay you what you ask fur
it. kin eat my own, but she can't"
'Fudgel Henry's girls are no better'n
you be, if that fine wife o. his has
brought em up to be fashionable; your
butter is plenty good 'nuff fur them.
You're always putin yourself out for
folks that don't thank you nor pay you,
more fool you! / don't do nothin' for
nobody onless I'm goin' to git paid fur't
somehow: nobody does hands turn fur
me fur nothin, | know that. I'm sorry
not to be able to oblige you, Hammer
Mrs. Hannah Ford turned away dis
appointed. She knew that Mrs. Caro-
line was not a generous-hearted woman,
and that she had always been jealous of
the superior good health, prosperity and
of Williams widow; but she
did think that the magic word 'pay"
would procure for her the much-desired
butter.
"Humph!' shifted Mrs. Caroline as
the two women separated and turned to
their respective homes. "If Hammer
thinks I'm goin' to help her cosset that
hibby-ty-jib girl o. Henry Merediths. |
she's mistaken. made up my mind |
long ago that / wa MT goin' to be over
run by none O. my husbands kin, an
when my nieces visit me they've got to
make themselves useful"
A little later, Bessie Meredith heard
, footstep on the porch. Glancing up
she saw stranger entering the door
which led into the diningroom. She
inew that it was not customary in
Ford's Mills for a neighbor to pause and
inock at anothers door, so she was not
surprised at the unannounced entrance
If her visitor.
Good afternoon" she said, pleasant
y. Mrs. Ford has not returned yet,
'ut expect her every minute; come In
md take this rocking-chair."
Mrs. Ford is''-began the stranger
'She went to Captain Shows this
] think; his little boy is i'll.
DO you happen to known how he is
low?"
"he is some better, Doctor Adams
ez, But-but-"
"Do you know what ails the child?"
''He he'd measles, an they didn't
ONE out till long towards noontime.
DON'T | smell gingerbread?' said the
isitor, rising and stepping into the
itchen.
AT this moment fine stalwart young
nan entered the dining-room, unnoticed
" Bessie, and sat down where he could
esr without being seen.
"Yes; made some, and some biscuits.
thought Mrs Ford would be hungry
nd tired, and glad to find supper
eady."
"Who be you, anyway?" was the abb
upt question put to Bessie.
II am Bessie Meredith, from Boston"
LAND sakes alive! An you BEN MAX
n them things? An hash, tool" said
he visitor, making herself quite at
ONE, and peering into the oven as if
he owned it. ''l'm bound to say they
nell good. Well, am beat!"
''Did you think that no city girl ever
new how to cook?" asked Bessie,
lughing. And the young man in the
ext room was laughing, too, laughing /
} that he was almost in convulsions.
~ knew Henry was terrible rich !
md o. Goshen! An you've washed all :
lem dishes that left in the sinkp