Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1893-03-23
HIS MOTHERS COOKING.
How Mr.. Smith Was Cured Of a
Bad Habit.

mp curly, brown eSble on the eX-
treme end OF his fork, and eyeing it
with Al untranslatable expression of
Countenance.
Yes, Of course l do" said Mrs.
Smith, i little timidly. AREN'T they
nice? l made them myself"
Mr.. Smith laid the curly, brown edi-
bic down again, and pushed the plate
back.
''Nice?" he repeated, Il don't say
nice enough in their way. But wish
YOU could have eaten my mothers
doughnuts.'
How were they different from these,
John?' Mrs. Smith ventured deferen-
italy to inquire.
Mr.. Smith moved fretfully in his
chair.
in every way" said he. Women
nowadays don't know how to cook. "
won't you eat one, John?''
Thank you, my dear, one nlouthful
is enough" sarcastically answered her
lord and master. I've lingering re-
spect left for my digestion. Joanna.
make nue. piece of toast. Stale bread,
mind, and brown it but very little. I
don't care to load my stomach with
charcoal
It was perhaps a good thing for Mr..
Smith that he was too much occupied
with the columns of the morning paper
10 observe the expression of Joanna's
face rs she whislled Off into the kitchen
10 execute her order.
I'D like to shake some of that non
sense out Of him." lnuttered Joanna to
herself, as she SHUT two slices of bread
into the toaster and held it over the
fire. ''Of all fools, give Inc man! And
she as patient and sweet us new milk
over it,
Joanna johnson was no ordinary
hired help" She was grim, straight
backed, lantern awed New England
woman, who had taken care of Allie
Aston as a child, and who, sooner than
desert her nursing when she married,
Joined her establishment in the hum
bic capacity of general houseworker.
She did twice what any Celt or Teuton
would have accomplished, and for hal.
the wages, although no earthly power
would have induced her to call herself
Il servant OF wear a frilled cap like
the other housemaids in the block.
Mrs. Aston was very quiet all that
day. Joanna watched her with wistful
eyes. as Il dog watches his master.
'She amt happy" pondered Joanna,
''aud it's because he's pickin' at her all
the time. Women don't know how to
cook, don't they? Well, if I was to
write down in book all that men don't
know, I'd have to build house to keep
the volumes in. guess
Joanna" said Mrs. Aston, in the
afternoon.
Ma ann responded Joanna.
Joanna was particular to accord Mrs
Aston all the honorary attributes of
mistresshood, as Il general thing 1t
was only when they were quite by
themselves that she INDUCED in the
sweet usages Of the past and called
her pet and 'sweetheart" and s'her
own little Allie," as if they were nurse
and baby again.
II wish you'd get me Mr.. Smiths
little brown valise. l want to pack
it,
'Eh?" said Joanna. 'AIr. Smith 60
ing away again?'
Yes" the young wife answered,
with something of defiance in her man
ner. Its nearly three months since
he went away before. and business is
business, you know"
Yes" Joanna laconlcally answered,
81 know"
Mr.. Smith was to take the night
train. He came home to an early sup
per, but he would not eat much of the
nice fried oysters and apple fritters
which Alice had prepared for him.
JOANNA sighed the young wife,
when her hus band had gone, I'm not
much Of q cook"
Them oysters was beautiful. deary,"
said Joanna, IAN the fritters was as
light as a feather"
John couldn't eat them
'That's all his cantankerousness
dear
Joanna, you shouldn't speak of my
husband in that way!" cried Alice, fir
ing up.
II won't again, DEAR" said the New
Highlander, covered with confusion. |
1T kind O slipped out. But she per-
sisted, in n low tone to herself, ''its |
true, all the same"
And" added Alice, John thinks so
much Of nice things to eat and drink
All men do"
Joanna muttered grunt which might
be translated yes or no." according
to pleasure.
i've almost mind to write to his
mother" observed Alice, 'and ask her
advice. Don't you think it would be a
good plan, Joanna?"
at mightn't be bad one,' said the
noncommittal daughter of Cape Ann.
She went back to the kitchen and
stirred up batter for the. mornings
buckwheats. her face full of new re-
solve.
II amt much of a hand at pen and
ink" said Joanna to herself ''But if
there's any letter-writin' done to his
mother, l guess I'll take hand in it.
too!'
And SO effectual was the work of
her gray goose quill-for Joanna never
could accustom herself to any of the
new steel and oreide denominations
that within the week. and before Alice
had quite decided what to say when
she should get ready to write to her
mother-in-law, there came pleasant
little note from Mrs. John Smith the |
elder, saying how long a time it was
aimee she had had visit from Allie.
Cant you come now" she wrote,
while John is away travelling? l |
should not ut all wonder if he stopped
here on his way home, and what a
pleasant surprise it will be to him to
find you here!"
Alice's facs frightened. She ran to
show the letter to Joanna.
Won't it be nice?" said she, like a |
delighted child.
st just will!' said Joanna.
Mrs. John Smith. the elder, was not
in the least like the conventional idea
OF mother-in-law. She was q COM
fortab Die, pillowy old lady, with twink