The Somerset reporter., 1895-02-07
Aunt Sarah's Stratagem

End prize story in the White Plume con.
test
The September sun Was Just saying his
shadows across field and meadow, on Il
quiet pleasant farm just outside the shire
town of Somerset County.
The low one. story farm house with its
large chimneys, suggestive of broad
open monthed fire places, stood just Il
little back from the road with neat
yard and rows upon rows of hollvhocks
and dahlias in front.
At the back some little distance from
the house stood the great barn, and the
fat cattle in the barnyard cheWed their
cuds in eontentmcnt, and general air
of peace and plenty seemed to peryade
the scene. Suddenly the kitchen door
few open. "Aint We never coming in to
supper, Josiah Wilkns?"
Yes, yes. mother" answered voice
from the depths of the barn.
well think you'd better, here's the
third time I've called, though faint
much you'll get Tonight" muttered
Aunt Sarah To herself in n tone that
clearly showed storm was brewing on
the domestic horizon.
as that into the house ought 10 -
hungry she began as soon rs Josiah 5
we'll rounded form appeared in the door.
way. well mother whats the matter,
calmly asked imperturbable Josiah a he
proceeded 10 wash his hands in the siuk.
"Matter Josiah wilkins, matter, look al
them biscuits, as heavy As lead and as
black as buck wheat" cried Aunt Sarah,
of m a. | 81
saving to make Mis- Jones fresh butter
thinking mayhap might get something
fit for mortal to eat, but look nj them
just look at them | sa,, and this is the
fourth barrel you've brought me to try.
If can't have as good -four AZ Other
women have I'll so over to Martha's aud
you can make yodr own bread
They seated themselves and the sup.
per began in solemn silence. Aunt
Sarah poured the tea and passed Josiah
the sugar and milk. What mattered il
though the cloth was white, the china
spotless and the butter golden; there at
the side stood the offending biscuits cast
ing a gloom over all.
Josiah took one, put on about twice
the usual amount of butter and with
some extra swallows got 1T down
but for the last three weeks her skill and
patience had been severely tried by poor
flour.
The next morning sharp knock AT
the door and "Ilow be you Mis- wilkins
broke in upon her 'noury meditations
"Well I'm clean worried out'n my
mind Mis- Clark, with that pesky llonI
Josiah keeps bringing home. tell him
iuh ha
five or fifty cents on barrel of tlouI
what will last us six months, but ht
says times ia hard mother, aud We mus
economic, and faint economy ut all Il
punish ourselves by eating such stuff
and then throwing half away.
Nov Mis- wilkins" began Mrs
Clark, 81 know just what you want, wis
don't YOU get n barrel OF that flour they
have in town. White Plume they call IT,
and nv girl Eliza had Just such "A tims
as you're having and now she says SIR
wouldn't keep house without II.
"Where do you get II" asked Auni
Sarah In low tone rs she hear Josiah
step IN the shed.
In big store where they hav,
everything Mis- wilkins, YOU never SEE
the like and they sell barrels aud barrel,
/ anu bhiifiN III tilhA lNuis ntiAiFAt dHt
Cairns is the name of the store aud il
| was YOU I'd try some
"Miss Clark" said Aunt Sarah with de
/ termination ia her voice I'm going II
/ have seine though Josiah wouldn't bur
any if we starved Now he il goinl
this afternoon 10 take this barrel bacI
and bring "A new one, and If your boz
! Will go ard buy me one of White Plum
! III rake my butter money what | wa
/ saving To huv me a new black dress will
aud buy that barrel of flour, for can
! have my life pestered out of me Will
such stuff.
( That afternoon about four O'Clock tn
/ Clark boy could have been seen stOwins
away in thu corner of the shed "A barre
of thar precious -four, not in the plac,
where the -four was generally kept TO
Aunt Sarah knew Josiah would briny
with him another barrel of cheap -four
The biscuits for supper that nigh
were of unusual wilderness and broat
smile sat on Josiah's face when he say
them.
"Well we've some fl bur at last amt VI
mother said he.
Yes" calmly replied Aunt Sarah.
Il told you could get what yo
wanted, why" continued he reaching 70
the fifth biscuit 81 Amt ate such brea,
for more'n a year.
! Josiah said his wife after suppe