The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-09-26

Tulane is 20 well satisfied that Il will
try some of the larger mounds, in the
hope of finding whence the Catahoula
mound dwellers came, and what waa
their previous history.-Harper's Week.
ly.
A CUP OF TEA.
WAss rre1sray 't1evsa It n FrsA.seave
ef AueA o1bstaatial ConfeFt.
There seems to be an occult quality
in tea, to whose saving potency its devo-
teea render homage. Who does not feel
tears behind the recollection Of the
"supo' tay" that Mrs. McGurk bought for
her old neighbor out Of her legacy of a
few shillings, and recognize the new life
and refreshment the drink brings to
the very old and the very poor? We have
known tea leaves to be carried in old
fashioned silver snun boxes, opened and
offered that the guest might take a
pinch and find solace and strength in
the nibbling. But that wos in countries
whese the Kissing urn and teakettle
and dainty china are not widely known,
and ten 10 not the only fair godmother
who turns Cinderella into the princess.
than at the head of her own tea table.
where at high tea the heavier plats are
served while the water boils in the old
family urn or in the little kettle that
swings before her, or in an iron tripod
at her side? The play of a lovely arm
and wrist and of long, white jeweled
fingers. the smiles Of interrogatory, the
pretty trouble of pleasing, are all capti-
waiting. She il only more agreeable to
the eye when making tea in the draw
ing-room in the picturesque neglige ap-
propriate to the occasion, surrounded by
whatever heightens beauty, with her
guests arrayed for the love path in all
their flowers and feathers, with the
murmur about her of the soft frou-frou.
of the sweet voices whose infections
say more than words in the dialogue as
bright AS "Dolly's." Sitting by the table
that, not TO give the room too much the
lcok Of a restaurant, has been made
fantastic in shape or has been remanded
to q corner, unless the butler himself
brings in a big tray with all the para
phernalia, she lights her little lamp.
lifts the cover from the biscuit jar, a
witch never more bcwitching than when
she makes her brew. And to this one she
sends the cream-which is a reminder
that the Tartar boils his tea with tai
low and with meal. and in the alkaline
water of the steppes. which dissolves
it's remotest value. and SO makes OF it
a nourishing boullon-and to that one
she offers the slice Of lemon. Ia Russo,
and if to another cup she adds dash Of
rum, it is no more than her grandmother
did before her, or that that danes
grandmother did when she had to pay
at the rate Of $50 for the pound Of tea
that just filled her caddy. But to tho
true tea-lover she will serve the golden
fluid clear, with only the one lump OF
sugar in the saucer-the saucer with
which the Chinese tea-drinker keeps in
and preserves the fragrant fire and half
guessed strength. And with this last
guest, gossip failing, the ten itself is
always ready subject Of conversation.
Perhaps she has brewed the green tea,
and wonders If it il intoxicating, and
is assured that, owing to the escape OF
the volatile oil, only the new tea has
such property, and no tea is exported
till it is q year old. Or she tells. as IN
inventor details his processes, or a. a
discoverer dnates upon his open secret.
the trials, with pinch of this, and
pinch Of that, and suspicion of the
other, that she has made before arriving
at the perfect proportions Of her blend
of the pekoes with the tantalizing evan
cscence Of it's favors. Or she confesses
that as to her Csylon she cen neither add
NOR take away from the subtle delicacy
of perfume, the lingering pleasantness
upon the palate, suave as the touch Of
. rose petal, and with certain spirit
and freshness which make one think
that If sunshine itself could have an
aroma it would be that
Perhaps she is too enthusiastic; but
then every woman, be she in palace or
poorhouse, II apt to be an enthusiast
about tea. She recognizes what a debt
she owes it-recalls its CHEEKY help in
the cure of her megrims; the sovereign
it lends her when her own
strength fails, demanding no returns
Of reaction; the blessing that
It Is In the way it has come to the front
rs chief friend and aid in her entertain
ing, stimulating companiopship, Great
ing friendship, and saving her the more
,crious ]abors Of hospitality, together
with its own personal and private
.heer; and remembering all this, she
pities more than ever the forlorn and
lead and gone grandmothers who never
knew the consolation or the pleasant.
ness Of cup Of tea.-HarperADaza