The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1890-09-27

Mis- Ford's door open?"
"No; but the key is under the step,
and you can just walk in an make your
self to home till Mis- Ford gifts back.
You'll find all the vittles in the butt'ry;
50 jest cook yourself up what you like. y
said the neighbor to Bessie, and then
walked away.
When Bessie was at last in the coy
kitchen, out of which the ''butt'ry"
opened, she sat down in the patch-cush-
toned rocker, and laughed until the
tears came into her eyes.
This must be Arcadia! Fancy q
stranger being set down at our front
door in the city, with house locked and
the family swayl What different fate
would await her! Evidently Cousin
Hannah failed to receive papa's letter
telling her that was to arrive to-day to
make my Hrst and long-deferred visit to
her, so must make myself at home un-
til she returns"
The sink was full of unwashed dishes,
which convinced Bessie that Mrs. Shows
summons must indeed have been
urgent for Cousin Hannah was q most
methodical housekeeper; so she cover
ed 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 shywed Bessie that the
bread was all gone; but bowl of sifted
flower cheek by jowl with yesst-cake,
proved that fresh baking had been
contemplated. One dry doughnut and the
heel" Of 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 NEEDLE, do want
to help; shall cook or not cook?
will follow mothers rule, which al
ways works we'll; she says: When in
doubt what to do try to do as you would
be done by II had been away from
home all day nursing sick child 1
know 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 q
savory hash; that, with some hot bis
cults, fresh gingerbread and cup of
tea ought not to 90 amiss to tired
Cousin Hannah"
While Bessie was industriously try
ing to carry out the old, old rule, the
two Mrs Fords were conversing Just
outside the little post-office.
20 Car'line!" exclaimed Cousin Han
nah, 81 am glad to see you. Pm in q
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. 1t says tibet 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 Sam1 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' q niece O. mine to stay with me,
an hain't goin' to have no butter to
spare"
"Jest little mite, Car'line-jest 'nuff
fur her! I'll pay you what you ask fur
it kin eat my own, but she can't"
"Fudge! Henry's girls are no better
you be, IL that fine wife o. his has
brought 'em up to be fashionable; your
butter is plenty good huff 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 generous-hearted woman,
and that she had always been jealous Of
the superior good health, prosperity and
popularity of Williams widow; but she
did think that the magic word '.pay"
would procure for her the much-desired
butter.
"Humphr shifted Mrs. Caroline as
the two women separated and turned to
their respective homes. ''If Hammer
thinks Pm goin' to help her cosset that
fibby-ty-jib girl o. Henry Meredith's,
she's mistaken. made up my mind
long ago that WANT 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. CHANGING up
she saw stranger entering the door
which led into the dining-room. She
knew that it was not customary in
Ford's Mills for a neighbor TO pause and
knock at another's door, so she was not
surprised at the unannounced entrance
of her visitor.
Good afternoon" she said, pleasant
~. MRS. Ford has not returned yet,
but ! expect her every minute; come In
and take this rocking-chair.r
Mrs Ford is'-began the stranger.
''She went to Captain Shows this
morning. I think: his little how il il1.