The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-10-08

my canvass IN a most sOlVenly manner,
wishing that | was boy or butterfly, or
something not required by grandmothers
or nature to work samplers, when my
senses were assailed by voices from the
kitchen, as well as the aroma of boiling
ounces My intuition told me that it was
Henry Lytle, and lost no time in satisfy
ing that sense by proof He was standing
by one side Of the big brass kettle, and
Aunt Washington on the other, with a
wooden spoon in her hand. They were
arguing about something, and Aunt Wash
ington looked halflaughing, half-frighten-
ed
Henry Lytle-in my grandmother's
kitchen Alas Alas such indecorum-
and he had dared, and Aunt Washington
had dared-oh grandmother grandmoth-
err
But he said something more about mice,
and chucked me under the chin again. and
Aunt Washington sent me, with exact
particularlity, to require of Aunt Peggy, the
housekeeper, seven sticks of cinnamon.
| have sedulously avoided the use of
cinnamon in preserves, even to this day;
for a discreet use of nutmeg cloves, ginger
or mace, have found, serves the purpose
fully as well, without any unpleasant sug-
gestions.
Once upon my mission, in spite of the
dignity of my seven years, forgot to re-
turn Immediately 1t must have been an
hour or so later, when guiltily upbraided
by conscience, gathered up my seven
cinnamon sticks. The house seemed
strangely quiet, and from the kitchen
came the alarmingly unpleasant odor of
burning syrup; say alarming, for the
escape of such an odor into my grandmoth
er's house was positive catastrophe.
ran as fast as my chubby legs would
carry me, calling upon Aunt Washington,
but no Aunt Washington responded. The
contents of the big brass kettle was burn
ing at the bottom and boiling over. | tip
toed on chair, and stirred it with the
wooden spoon, burning my fingers in the
operation, but | was too disturbed to weep,
and besides no one was there to comfort
me- | tried to lift the seething stuff; |
might as wisely have tried to move Black
Mountain. Not maid was in sight or
hearing. Aunt Peggy was deaf, and from
my position | might have shouted until
doomsday, for all that she could hear |
verify believed that it was coming, and
there lay Carlo, the only living thing in
hearing, with his black nose on his paws,
not budging, as though he cared not a
whit for me or the preserves.
If woe could have put out the fire, the
preserves would have been saved; however,
l wandered about helplessly, still holding
onto the wooden spoon, when | spied a bag
Of peppermints that Aunt Washington had
thoughtfully left upon the kitchen table;
these grasped as my only solace in this
time of trouble, and never stopped until |
was in my own little bed, head and ears
covered, still holding fast the peppermints.
heard the maids return, then stir and
a hustle | knew that my own maid was
seeking for me. In the fear of my grand
mothers anger, had almost forgotten the
absence of Aunt Washington, Where was
Aunt Washington? Where was Henry
Lytle heard the approaching wheels,
signaling my grandmother's return. |
heard the brewing of the storm, culminat-
ing in the arrival of a message which
"trusted that the preserves were spoiled,
and begging grandmothers pardon, Aunt
Washington had gone to marry Henry
Lytle !"
''And where is Frances Ann p demanded
my grandmother.
Feeling myself summoned, descended
from my nest, like culprit, and, amid
sobs, related all knew, even down to
the peppermints and seven cinnamon sticks,
Having no one else in particular to
blame, upon my sorrowfpl apd devoted
head was poured all the wrath that my
poor, outwitted grandmother could muster.
The sun had ceased to shine on my grand
mothers house. My father had suddenly
decided to make trip to New York, to be
gone for matter of FIVE or six months, and
left me alone in my childish sorrow, after
having vainly promised to bring me more
things than ever could have dreamed Of
things totally unsuited and inappropriate
for child of my tender years,
My grandmothe was silent, but scrupu.
lously exact in the daily business of life
and persistently refused to consider any pre-
supposed advances to be made by Aunt
Washington and Henry Lytle inthe future
Said my grandmother, "Serena has made
her own bed, and she can lie in it.
Soon after my fathers departure, my
grandmother sent for Barsister Quills. Now
Barrister Quils was the family attorney,
as his father had been before him; one Of
the powerful triumvirates in great, old
families, without whose attendance great
family occasions were null and void.
Seed-cakes were brought, aud pair o
cohwebhy bottles, for service in my grand
mothers boudoir, ceremonial always pre-
ceding important business transactions.
Upon his departure, encountered Bar
rister Quills upon the piazza, whereupon he
patted me on the head and called me very
. clever child, taking unusual notice of me.
Affairs were very quiet in my gsand.
mothers house, but my grandmother be
came suddenly aware that | was in need O.
; an education, so goyerness and music
master were procured for me, my panta
lettes were made little more ornate, and