The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-11-25

whetted for what was next to come.
The next course consisted Of oysters,
crumbled and fried to perfection, hot
mullins Of graham flour, crisp and fiaky,
which Berry called 'pop-downs" ; also
the best coffee that any Of them had ever
tasted. Following this was a dish Of
apples. baked in some marvellous man
ner, which converted each into 4 half
jeilied globe Of translucent sweetness.
The guests ate and praised with immense
gusto, and Berry besmed upon them
while she served the edibles with a sense
Of real satisfaction.
Grandmother Savsry taught me 70
cook she said, in answer to q question:
I from Rollins, who seemed ten years
younger from the influence Of this unex-
peeied good cheer. Mother died when
Jim vas a year old and I wasn't but
thirteen, and she took Us both. She was
8 natural born cook, heard folks say,
and she knew all the old ways, 50
learned them, too"
Dear NE, l dare say she could make
chicken pot-pie," said Mr.. Pugh- 4 re-
member how good it used TO taste when
1 was boy"
@Cornbeef hash, perhaps, such as my
mother used to make" yentured Mr.. Sal
tonstall
~Chowder, not unlikely" put in old
Rollins, "and toe-eske ike We had at
home half a century ago"
Pork and beans, with dash Of mo-
lasses, suggested SAltonstal-
"Corn-bread, pan-dowdy, dOughnuts-
added Perry Pugh.
Berry nodded, smiling to each Of them
in turn.
Every one Of them she replied. Il
never saw such corn-beef hash SIS grand
mothers, or sneh beans either. As for
her pumpkin pies,-no one ever began
to touch them, unless it were me, and
mine never quite came Up to them, and
they never will. l just wish you could
stay long enough and would make you
one, and pot-pie, too"
There was a cordial goodwill in her
voice that Was contagious. She was clear
ing away the supper things as she spoke,
and Mr.. Saltonstall now brought chair
and begged her 10 be seated.
@You have tired yourself quite enough
for US be said. sit down nov and tell
Us little about your plans and your
brothers. What are you going TO do
with him Is this house your own"
NO; grandmsther had FIVE years
lease Of it, which IS al but up. We must
leave It, and I'd Ike to leave Pot Haven,
If could. Jim's got 70 earn his living.
and must do something TO help; but
don't know much about anything except
cooking, and no one wants that there.
Almost every body does their own work
you know. There's very little chance for
any one in such place as this"
While she spoke, Mr.. Joy Rollins was
taking stock Of her. For half cen
tury his keen eyes had scrutinized the
face of affairs and the souls Of men.
Very little escaped them He noted the
set Of her head, the clear gaze Of her hon
est eyes, the Wholesome pink lips and
cheeks, and the air Of vigorous capacity
which accompanied her every movement.
1t was nearing train time.
LET me catch that tear in your over
coat together before you GO" said Berry
to Mr.. Rollins. She did 50, then fetched
his shoes, dry and warm now, and help
ed him on with them and with the coat /;
as simply as if he had been her father.
Mr.. szltonstall rolled up a bank bill
and tired to slip it into her hand.
whats that for she demanded,
sharply.
ats a trifie il recompense for all the
trouble you've taken for u.s. he replied.
so pay for il. cried Berry Sayarv,
with a fash Of her eyes NO, sir That :
not the way in our house. Il wasn't
much could do, bat such as it was you
are kindly welcome to II. We Savsrys
don't expect payment for giving strang-
ers q meal who are split in snow drifts at
our doors"
''Saltonstall,r cried 8Ir. Perry Pugh
suppressing the fact that his own palm
concealed a rumpble bin, 4 am surprised
at your'
MY dear" interposed Mr.. Joy Roll
lins. @You are a good girliand you shall
have your own way. We are not bit
too proud to accept your hospitality, but
you must let Us thank you. You've taken
care ofus all, of me in particular, as if
you were my own dsughter-and a good
deal better" he added to himself.
HE look restrained his companions
from making any further attempt at pay
ment. Presently the depot hack, a
wretched old barOuche Of antiquated
model, appeared and with hearty good
bye they departed. Berry, as she wash
ed and put away her dishes. half thought
that the whole visit had been dream
But dreams DO not send back letters;
Ten days later, this missive came to
Pot Haven
DEAR MADAx:-
Your visitors Of last Tuesday hope you
have not forgotten them, as they certain
" have not forgotten your kindness to
them on the night Of the storm, or your
excellent cookery. am instructed by
them to make you proposition Would
you feel inclined to quit your present
location, come to New York and cater
for lunch club Of sixteen gentlemen, al
middle-aged and respectable? They viii
guarantee the rent Of suitable rooms,
together with the wages OF Ooe woman
servant, and all expenses. and pay you
in addition fifty dollars $50 a month
Besides this. !, personally, viii under
take to find work for your brother in the
employ OF the r C. & y. r R., with
which I am in connection where he viii
have fair pay and a chance to work up If
he has the right stuff in him
Please let Us have your definite an
swer By Tuesday, the 2Osh- The rooms
viii be ready on May 5th, in case you
de,ide 30 come. We should wish to con-
slider the agreement binding for one year,
st the expiration Of which both parties
shall be free TO make other arrangements
| If desired