The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-09
wait as your young sons do, for what
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mercy sends us fish we cook no
meat, counting the one enough for
strength"
At modern table, where converse
ton is likely to be kept in the hands
of the youngsters, there would have
been eager explanations from the
boys, but in those rigid days, in their
parents presence they spake not un-
less first spoken to, SO now they were
silent, although Jonas looked at
them in a steady way which made
their father turn to question them.
Before they could answer, Roger in
terrupted.
"Ceasel" he cried. Would you make
son commit his mother and give
him that to remember which might
put upon his life burden that could
have no surcease?"
"Then," cried Jonas, nothing cowed,
81 ask Dame Frothinghame not to
cut us short, but give us all the din
ner she has provided for this particu
lar-ahem-yes, this very particular
day."
With her handsome head lifted de-
family and a most scornful curl to
her delicate lips, the lady, who had
not yet found time or inclination to
take chair at the table, raised from
the great bubbling iron pot COW
cred tin pail, and eagerly eyed by
the young lads and the little maid
Margaret, handily turned its contents
upon a shining platter, where it rested
a sight for men and boys, a bold,
undisguised pudding, brown and
luscious, with fat sides quivering, as
if in dread of the inimical regards it
had to face. Carrying the platter
high and bearing herself like queen
the Dame set it down on the table in
front of her astonished husband, and
stepping again to the fire, brought
skillet of hot sauce, which she poured
lavishly over the pudding, unheed-
ing the trouble in her husbands
eyes, as, gasping the one word, "Loisp
he sank back upon his chair. She
did not mind the deep, bitter sigh
that came from good Rogers sorry
heart, or the malicious glee with
which Jonas rubbed his bony hands
together and wagged his bald head.
Roger gazed gloomily at the light
and toothsome pudding, the first his
eyes had seen for many year; then
gathered himself together for his
duty.
"This is matter for counsel" he
said. "Woman, hast thou, unknown
to the husband who has the rule over
thee, made laws for myself, and this
day which of a purpose it is COM
handed to ignore, commemorated
with feastings' Speak if thy fault
is unknown to thy husband, and keep
the sin on thine own head"
"There is more than seems on the
surface" interrupted Jonas, rudely,
with greedy eye on the pudding.
"We know we'll sweet spices and
plums can only be had here by SUI
pernatural agencies. There must
have been strange dealings before
all these foreign sweets could come
to hand"
"No witchcraft, if that is what you
mean, friend Jonas, but woman's
invention. Raisins, it is true, are not
to be had, but in the summer sweet
berries grow on the bushes about,
and them l dried with care and to-
day used where plums should have
been. And to flavor the sauce that is
innocent of wine l used a precious
stick of cinnamon and bits of candied
lemon that were in the box my sister
sent me from England. l had not
suet and the other rich things where
with we made our buildings in my
fathers house; but with slices of
bread buttered and sprinkled be-
tween with berries and spice and left
to soak all night in custard of eggs,
and then boiled with might all the
hours of this fair morning, did l strive
to make even poor imitation that
should please my sons and make
them note this day."
She took her seat as she ended,
and, drawing the pudding toward
her, began to cut it with hand that
did not tremble.
Stay" cried Roger, rising and
putting on judicial and ministerial
majesty that should make evildoers
quake, "you dare tosay that you wish
to note this day"-here his tones grew
awfui-"this day which we all, freed
now from the yoke of superstition,
have elected should be forgotten'
Why, why should you wish to re-
member it," His voice fell suspic-
iously as he ended; it was cruelty
hard for him to have to condemn the