News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-06-04
A Batch Of Bread and a Pudding.

Nancy Newton was blunderer, said
folks who ought to know. If it was
not laundering it was worse; and here
they tapped their heads, signifying
there was something within those
precious spheres which Nancy's era
MUM lacked.
Her aunt Felicia-what a name to
90 with sallow cheeks and a frame
like a hay-tedderl felt that she could
have done better by Nancy if she had
had an earlier start. For the child
was ten years old when her father left
her dOubly orphaned, and Felicia
Newton, spinster, was called upon to
fulfill the duties of kinship, and to
atone for ''such bringing up as men
folks give" A straight diet of femin-
ity, cover and over" seams, bed-mak-
ing, dish-washing, Miss Newton pre-
scribed, and administered her own
medicine Nancy took it meekly, but
grew more reticent, asked fewer ques-
tiOns, and solved her problems by
making reckless dashes at them, so
winning herreputatiOn for laundering
or worse.
Il declare / don't know whether
YOU are too bright or not bright
-enoHga,' = said hc9g Esuns, after finding
the GIRL laid fat on the kitchen floor,
fitting herself to an old sack the elder
had given her. ''But how in the
name of goodness Turn round
here" Nancy revolved, showing her
small back with the garment pinned
across. There We're Sits in the cloth,
where alterations were to be made.
Chow you ever twisted and turned, "
went on aunt Felicia, taking out the
pins and slipping the sleeves on the
girls unwilling arms.
Nancy murmured some unintelligi-
BILE response. She could not tell her
aunt that any contortion was prefer
able to such an appeal for help.
Eight years failed to alter the rela-
tions between the two. Nancy grew
more Capable" but not whit more
confidential. Aunt Felicia exulted
over the results Of her own training,
but eyed the blank, fair face before
her with suspicion, well nigh distrust.
"She's glib enough outside, makes
friends, has attentions. | wonder
why we two don't get on better? .
unused the old lady. She was sixty
eight, or would be on the morrow.
| Thenearness of the festival, the prom
| inence it gave her mounting score OF
years, brought pensive influence to
bear upon her. The old heart yearn-
ed over the young one.
Mamie" she said, gently, "l've
been tellin' Mis- Baker an Mis- Skel
ton an Mis- Briggs, that's comm to
dinner to-morrer, how you could
cook. Now Pm goin' tolay back an
let you do it all. l won't raise g
finger, SOS to show 'em what l says
true. How'd you like that?"
1t was a delicate compliment and
rendered generously without IL hint
of possible laundering. Nancy nodded
approximately ''First-rate, aunt Fell
cia. What you goin' to have?"
"I've promised 'em billed dish
cause they don't all of 'em get i
nowdays-leastwise Mis- SHELTON an
Mis- Briggs don't-an' billed Injil
puddin'. You'd best set pan O
biscuit doin' tonight. Come to thinl
of it, we need bread; may as wei
make a whole batch while your
about it.
There was-.nG=..-s that night, am
afterward Nancy loitered through tn
fragrant lanes with her escort, j.
Baker. The whip-poor- wills were sing
ing as if their honor depended upO
getting in as many notes as possibl
before day-break. A wild grape-vin
climed the rail fence, and held it's frag
lie blossoms out of the mOonligh
and the soft night breeze
M-m-m! Amt that sweet" erie
10, raptuously. 81 don't know any
thing sweet, less it's"-here the pr
caution of a glance at his companio
told him to hedge a little" less it
roses. By the way, our sweetbrier
out full. Don't you want u pitchr
of 'em for your table to-morrer 3?
For Joe's mother was one of the PR
spective guests, and Nancy's debt
as cook had been a theme of col
versation on the homeward walk.
eyes, indeed" responded Name
cordially. you're just as good ;
you can be to think of it,"
"Don't know bout that" said j.
s with proper humility.
# Then the two said goodnight, ar
!, Nancy went in TO her bread-makin
1t Aunt Felicia had retired for the nigh
IF The kitchen fire was out and the Ian
. was frugally turned down. The pla
- seemed chilly and dull after the rae
ance without. Rapidly, and as quie
"a ly as possible, Nancy put away h
- bonnet and shawl, and brought flo
ii milk and the jar of foaming yeas
e, "Wish t aunt had left a coal or tw
y enough to warm the milk" s.
S. thought "Guess It II be all rigf
1t though" "
q 1t looked promising, roun
y smooth mass, firm and white as t
u young arms which wrestled with
e They turned and kneaded and turn
&c again, with a rhythmic motion; tn
she caught a sharp knife, cleft t