Smyrna times., 1893-10-25
CULTIVATE YOUR SPECIALITY.

Emily Seabright ran upstairs to the
room where her Aunt Marcia was pass
ing, in confinement with a sprained
ankle, the first weeks of what had been
anticipated as a most enjoyable visit.
"a telegram, auntie Uncle Edwin
and Ethel leave this morning, and they
will be here to-day. What shall I dol
How provoking it is that mother was
called away to-day, for all days" !"
"She will be at home before night
Surely you can entertain your uncle
and cousin for few hours" quietly
returned Miss Bradley.
"But the dinner |"
Emily's tone was one of tragic de-
spair.
"Ah, 1 see. 1t is pity 1 am im-
prisOned here a burden instead of
help to you. But don't look so dis
tressed. You have plenty of time; the
train is not due till after r."
But, auntie you don't seem to con-
slider. l know so little about cooking,
and they are used to every sort of
magnificence in the way of dinners, l
suppose. To begin with, they will
think dinner at noon relic of barbar-
ISM"
Emily was almost in tears. She
really had very little experience in the
kitchen. 1t was only short time be-
fore that her mother, firm admirer of
the domestic virtues, had insisted that
Emily should lay aside her studies for
time to cultivate the arts of practical
hOusewifery.
where is your good sense, Emily ?
They come to your home and your
ways of life; whatever you do, you
will not make a useless attempt to
make these like theirs. Probably ii
would not be wise for you to try to
serve the dinner your mother would il
she were at home. The question is
what can you prepare most successful.
lyP What is your specialty?"
II haven't any," said the gloomy
Emily. II have tried very few dinner
dishes. You know mother believes il
beginning at the foundation of things
always, and she has kept me making
bread and doing very simple cooking.
Thanks to her wisdom, you max,
bread that is very nearly perfect; anC
you baked yesterday So far, so good
Have you really learned to serve NJ
hot dishes ?"
Emily laughed.
"Oh, yes; creamed Goldfish. l tool
fancy to try it once, and now the boy
tease for it continually when they com
home. Mother dislikes it, so she say
she is willing to shirk preparing il
But that is no use in this case"
And why not ?'
"Oh, Goldfish The idea. How
would sound-for dinner!"
"The important thing is, how it vii
taste. What can you prepare that Wi
be better ?"
Nothing" Emily confessed, after
minutes thought. "DO you reall
think l might? They would think
too countryied aud common?"
81 don't know that we are calle
upon to consider what they think of i
If you set before them the most ar
etizing meal in your power. no NOR
should be expected of you. What ca
you make in the way of desserts ?"
"Not thing. Well, can make
bread pudding. That would be em
neptly in keeping with goldfish" sh
added, in a disgusted tone.
"Can you make a good one ?"
Yes, can; the boys think so, f,
any rate. have tried other pudding
but I'm never sure how they will tur
out. Somehow, caught the knack @
getting bread-pudding just right, an
my rule never fails me-"
MAKE your bread-pudding. SerV
the food neatly, set out your pFettIe
dishes, don't get heated and furrie,
and I'll warrant the success of yOl
= dinuer."
{ Aunt Marcia's confidence was i
piring. Emily took heart and few
work. becoming interested in makil
|; the most of her simple bill of fare th
i she forgot to worry about the pOssibili
of its appearing meagre to her Was
y ington relatives.
I "I'm glad didn't try fussy dIsh
t that might have spoiled at the ID
minute aud left me in fx," she
;, 1ected, giving the finishing touches
J. her arrangements of the table. II 8
7 glad it happens to De rose time; the
beauties all around the room make {
cOrations any one might envy. Thel
can run up stairs and dress pOw.p
swell 2" Aunt Marcia greeted |
sharing BmilY's suppressed excitemt
and anxiety, but determined not to
'F' tray herself.
as "I've had the greatest good luc
Everything is just right. so far, and
- have time TO change my dress bef
they come. The table will look
pretty, with the radishes and lettu
for color, and-there's the whistle
al noon train :"
OIL keep COOL" cried Aunt Mar
seemingly with exasperating lack
feeling for the trials of a very yOu
housekeeper.
,an No one who saw Emily receive
- guests would have thought the adj
Se. DE- needed. Apparently self.possesi
on on and at ease, she played hostess as grs
lce! fully as Ethel herself could have do
81 even while at heart she was cqnstan
,rSsi lamenting the misfortune which K
Miss BRADLEY from giving her ass
and anoe.
Ion While the guests hastily shook
om- some of the dust of travel in u
N, rooms, she had time to serve her I
/. ner. She met them at the table,
quiet and graceful. Her uncle
n cousin were cordial aud chatty;
enjoyed renewing acquaintance !
them. 1t happened that the course