Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-10-14

assimilated has much to do with the
spiritual as we'll as the physical be-
ing of man. 1t makes the monster
good-natured, too. Why, l have
tasted bitter cup of coffee all day,
and, likely as not, been cross to my
clerks on account of it. SO you see
now much depends upon the cuisine.
Now suppose we make out bill of
fare"
The next morning at break fast
Walter made wry face three times
and quite as many excuses for every
thing that was served. Aunt Prue
said nothing, though she enjoyed
her meal. But she took mental
notes.
Bessy did not look as we'll by day.
light; an expression of fatigue per-
vaded her whole being. The baby
had been restless. Walters way
evidently annoyed her. She had
worked too hard at this well-ar-
ranged breakfast.
" will go now to the Office" said
Walter, as he rose from the table,
"That will give you, Bessy, and
Aunt Prue good long morning to-
gether."
1t isn't possible that you do all
the cooking ?" said Aunt Prue, as
the two women left the dining room,
Bessy holding the heavy baby.
1.-The girl helps me little," was
Bessy's reply, land is willing to do
more, but Walter is always dissatis-
fed with her cooking. Indeed,
Aunt Prue, it is great pleasure to
me-if l could only please him, but
since baby came, it is not always
| possible. l had a nurse for time,
but Walter objects to nurse, and it
is hard to get good one."
How often do you go out ?"
asked Aunt Prue.
Chow often? On, dear me! 1
haven't been outside Of the house
for months, hardly" was the an
swer, with nervous laugh.
How men do yoke and goad
their angels !" said Aunt Prue, half
to herself.
They had merry time of it that
morning. Baby was happy and
jolly under the superintendehce of
her mother; the oven worked to a
charm, and everything was in readi-
ness for the lord of the household,
who awaited dinner with more than
little trepidation, quite unconscious
that the aunt, paler than usual from
eXertion, and the wife, 0verfiushed
from anticipation, had changed
places expressly ON his account.
So they sat down to dinner, each
one more or less expectant. Walter
ran his eye over the table.
Bessy, dear, l don't think its an
Improvement to stack the knives
and forks over the napkins like a
parcel of guns" he said. "Tell
Mary like the other way BEST
All, quite too rare, I'm afraid !" as
he plunged his knife into the beef.
Aunt Prue, Pm afraid can't suit
you to-day. l remember how thor
oughly your roasts were already
done, and yet were juicy. The
gravy is browner than usual" he
added, dipping into the dish. ct
don't know about the butter-beans
yours were always delicious" And
so on to the end OF the chapter
For every dish there was some hint
or glance of disparagement, aud it
was all Bessy could do, with her al
most painful sense of the ludicrous,
to keep from laughing outright, az
occasionally Aunt Prue's speaking
eyes met hers.
Pm so sorry, Aunt Prue," said
Bessy at last, mastering all the
gravity she could command, "that
after you have taken the trouble to
get up this nice dinner expressly for
hn g..
with everything you have DONE"
What ?" cried Walter, explo-
sively, half rising, and looking from
one to the other.
My dear, after your cooking I
expected he would" said Aunt Prue
quietly. "The sample you gave of
your powers this morning was quite
beyond my poor efforts"
Then bright red flush covered
the mans face, even to his brow
Were these two women making
sport of him? Had he heard Alright i?
In his own opinion, he was one of
the most acute men alive. That no.
body could deceive him had always
been a favorite maxim of his.
wanted to make the expert
ment," said Aunt Prue, in the most
innocent manner imaginable, "and
l find, Walter, that you have been
quito spoiled by your wife,"
Bessy! Aunt Prue! why didn't
you tell me? Oh, hang it'll" And
he turned away too deeply mortified
to express himself fittingly.
Pray, don't mind it," said Aunt
Prue. You know, my dear, am
getting little old-fashioned."
But Walter had received his les
son. He was too keen not to see
that 1t had been purposely given,
and he was man enough to feel pro-
foundly ashamed of himself. In
deed, in time he confessed as much,
and applauded the ingenuity that
had 80 completely taken the ground
from under his feet.
Aunt Prue's visit proved so de-
lIghtful to all parties that she made
arrangements to remain with them
for an indefinite time, and hence
forth Bessy's cares were lightened
and she became, as in former days,
the angel and blessing of home
But she always maintained that she
owed something of it, at least, to
Aunt Prue's Christmas dinner.
FAIRY TALE .DATE.-The
cruel king laughed.
"Go find needle that | have
buried in yOn haystack," he said,
and you shall have my daughters
hand ~