The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-03-13

fashioned dishes now. Rachel can't
seem to get the hang OF them. although
she has always had your book of re-
ciPes to guide her"
''Rachers a good deal better cook
than ever ! pretended TO be-" said Mrs.
EdmonStone. They have patent egg
beaters and cream-whippers and raisin-
seedcrs. and all that sort of thing now,
that they didn't have in my day. !
never tasted nicer bread than Rachel
makes, and these pop-overs are deli
cious."
You're just saying that to encourage
Rachel, said Mr.. Edmonstone, with an
incredulous smile. Things viii run
smooth now you've come. That's one
comfort"
''Oh, shouldn't think OF interfering
in Rachel's kitchen" said the old lady.
please do, mother" coaNcd the wife,
not without certain quiver in her lip.
do let Tom have q reminiscence of the
old days while you are here"
well, just as you children say"
conceded the mother-in-law, good
humoredly.
She remained q week at her sons
house. during which period of time Tom
was all exultant complacency.
This said he. lis something like
living feel myself boy again when
taste these apple-fritters."
They're not bad" said Rachel, who
had made them with her own sllillful
hands. And she helped herself to a little
of the sauce
And why didn't you learn my moth
er's l1nac< of making such pie-crust as
this?" demanded Tom. There's no dys-
Pepsia here"
I'm glad you're pleased" said
Rachel, with a guilty glance at her
mother-in-law. ''Oh, by the way, Tom,
the last Of the set of shirts is finished
now. VIII you put it on tomorrow"
u suppose So" ungraciously uttered
Tom. '.Win set like fury, dare say,
like all the rest of them
You might At least give it p trial.
Didn't say | would?' still more un-
graciously. Those shirts Will be the
death Of me vet" he added, turning 10
his mother with a groan, while Rachel
sat steadily observing the pattern of
the tablecloth.
The breakfast stood smoking on the
table next morning when Mr.. Edmon-
stone came into the room twisting him
self as if he We're practising TO be a
human corI1screw. Mrs. Edmonstone
glanced tlmidly up at hlrn-
Doesn't IL fit. Tom?" she questioned.
Fit. just look at it. viii you?'' he
retorted. Fit! Hangs like a window
curtain around my necll-Pinches my
wrist like a pair of handouts! / feel as
if were in a strait it-jacllet''-writhing
impatientlv 10 and fro. '.Oh. might
have known it beforehand. You
haven't an idea what the word fit
means. wish, mother, you could teach
this wife of mine how to make decent
shirt
Thomas" said Mrs. Edmonstone sol
emnly transfixing him with the glisten-
ing spheres of her spectacle glasses.
you are not very polite. I made that
shirt
.'You. Inother!''
Yes. I myself. Just as used 10
make shirts for Won in the old times
that you're always signing after. I've
been working at IL ever since I've been
in the house. Throw away the pattern,
Rachel. and don't waste any more time
trying To make your husbands Shirts
she added Its an economy of time
and temper, as well as of money, to buy
them ready-made. And as for the cook
ing you have been praising up so elo-
quently all the time I've been here,
Tom, ! haven't touched pot or a pan.
It's al your wife's work. SO much for
imagination, Oh, you needn't hang
your head 20 sheepishly; you're neither
better nor worse than most men, went
on Mrs. Edmonstope. Il never saw the
man Vet that didn't need to hear a little
wholesome truth now and then. You've
got the best and sweetest little wife in
the world
Mother pleaded Rachel, trying to
put her hand over the old lady's mouth,
but Mrs. Edrnonstone resolutely per-
sisted:
And it's my advice TO you 20 try to
treat her as she deserves.
II don't know but I have been
rather cranky of late" >" said Tom, self
consciously, now that come to think
of it
Cranky! / should think so,'' said
the old lady. I'm sure / don't know
what the worlds coming to. Here's
little Georgy toddling around with his
wooden cart The first you know he'll
be telling his wife about the wonderful
successes his mother used TO make in
this, and that, and the other thing
We've all got TO come TO it "
And Georgyll be right" said Tom
who, after all, had a Inagnanimous
streak through him. What a crab
I've been, Hang the homemade shirts!
I'll buy 'em out of the store next
time' Kiss me. Rachel-and you, too,
mother. And be sure YOU let me have
a dish of scalloped oysters when /
come home TO dinner" The oysters Ra-
chel cooked
He ate his breakfast and departed.
And when he was gone, young Mrs. Ed
monstone looked with shining eyes at
old Mrs Edmonstone.
''Oh, what a nice thing to have
mother-in-law!" said she, fervently.-
Fireside Companion.