The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-12-22

When Peter ferrlmau eyes oShCAu
Miss Browns offering, when he tested
its undeniable excellence, dispatched
a generous wedge of it and yearned
for more, sentiment of gratitude to
the donor sprang up in his breast. The
trite old saying that the way to aman's
heart is through his stomach proved !
true in Peters case at least, and in the
ardor of his feelings he offered to &C
company his sister and niece Tor an
evening call on Miss Barbara, and even
plucked up the courage to carry her
another donation of the choicest ap-
Piles his two-acre orchard produced.
Miss Barbara, attired in q neat lilac
satteen gown. and large white apron
with q red bow on the pocket, received
her visitors with smiling cordially, &C
cepted the preferred fruit with blush
of delight, and served to her guests.
later on. platter OF plump, brown
crullers, crisp and sugary, together
with some tiny seed cookies. dainty
enough for a bird. Mr.. Perriman's
greatest weakness in the pastry line,
next to pie, was for crullers, and Miss
Barbara was certainly an adept in the
art of making them.
"Tip-top-est crulls ever ! eat" med
itated the bachelor. barbara Brown
is a good cook. I'll bet nickel she
can cook meat an vegetables as good
as she can pie an crulls- IN then she's
sensible" continued Peter. II hea-
her a-tellin' Tidy she'd ruther hev
meal o. plain roast meat an potaters,
with good pie of some kind, or bat
ter pudding, with dip sauce, than all
the rag-goos an Frenchified messes
that ever was put together. She's
good tempered, too. A body can see
that with half an eye. an not bad
lookin', partickler about the mouth
and eyes. Some way / like these
blue-eyed, yaller-haired wimmin.
There's some vim about 'em. Seems
to me she'd make stavin' nice wife
fur some Teller that amt too young
me, fur instance. l. never thought
much about it before, but seems like a
man hadn't ought to be mizzable old
bachelor all his days, particular when
there's a nice single lady handy that's
sensible an knows how to cook. Not
rs ! want to marry q woman jest
cause she can cook, but good meal o.
vittles goes long way towards keep
IN a man contented an cheerful.
"If she'll hev me-though like
enough she won't-I've a notion to
resl it. That last batch OF griddle
cakes Of Tilda's lays heavy on my stom-
ach vet. Another dose of emil give
me the dyspepsy, sure as shooting.
The only way out of it is fur me to
marry, SO there amt no use in shlliy-
shalIying. Might aswell pitch right
| in. first as last, so here goes!'
With an air of determination. Mr..
| Perrimap deposited his hoe by the side
of the fence, mopped his brow, and
started toward Miss Browns white
painted cottage with resolute strides
The door stood wide open. and throug
the screen Mr.. Perriman could see
Miss Barbara fitting briskly about II
her tiny kitchen, and hear her singing,
in a clear voice, the old-time melody
when shall hear the bees a-hummin
All round the comb?
when shall hear the banjo tummin'
Down In my good ole homer"
She broke off suddenly at the soun'
. OF q rap on the door, and came FORWARD
with a pleased smile on her lip and Il
j her eyes
20, Mr.. Perriman, I'll have to ask 20
I in here, or my shortcake will burn,
, she apologized, hastily, bringing fort
r a splint-bottomed chair, and placing
: near the window, which was hun
3 ! with morning glory vines, their purpl
4 cups still showing among the thici
: green leaves. "rm doing my Saturda
' baking, you see," explained Mil
D Brown.
RI But she got no further. Mr.. PERI
man had his mind made up and had I
d notion of dallying with his fate. 20
|. ping the QUESTION did not seem so eai
S a matter as it had short time befor
4 but it must be done, he felt, and II
q sooner it was over the better.
e miss Barbara" he blurted ou
II looking her straight in the face,
r think you are very selfish woman.
3 Miss Barbara blushed furiously.
81 selfish?" she cried, aghast.
> ITO be sure" nodded Peter. gro
f. ing more composed ut her evident al
le tation. don't you call it selfish
.e be baking shortcake and boiling hs
D. lit smells mighty goodl for your Su
day dinner, when your next-door neig
It Dor is a poor old bachelor. who new
a has anything good Sundays-or a
p other day, for that matter?'
"a He-paused and looked at her path
ut ically
he Miss Barbara had never had p
IS posal before, but with woman's I
a crring instinct she knew what "
III coming.
re ..Who is to blame because you are
bachelor?" she asked with tremule
In smile.
p "You are" declared Peter, bold
sy .At least you will be If you do
,r. promise to marry me-" He held bt
,g her hands by this time in firm ella
70 my shortcalke is burning! Do let
CO." begged Barbara. J.
he mot until you answer me, II
as burns to crisp" declared Mr.. PEI
of man, ruthlessly. "Will you be
wife, Barbara? Yes or nor
to And how could any woman hold
Ike when her shortcake was in jeopardy
nd Eyes, Peter" murmured Miss Bro'
an demurely.
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