The age-herald., 1901-02-24
Ne chatMe Dish Man.

would probably have It's faults, which relatives would not hesitate to mention, not being compelled to sustain that high degree of delicacy and .self-restraint which Is part of the breeding of all strangers. Why is it that strangers nev- CT see our faults, but invariably discover our good points, even in chafing dish cookery? Because they do not feel at liberty to hurt our feelings by telling Us that this or that is a vile concoction. How much more pleasant to smile and be villain still!
 'It's all right, old man." we've heard many a man say as he endeavored to se- cure a hold upon his amateur friends rsrebjt He is fully aware as he says 1t that he lies. But that makes no differ ence. He is thoughtful of his friends feelings, and feels that he has done d good action.
 How often have we heard the same man complain the next day in tones of disgust that the biscuits are not fit to eat, because they are not quite as deli cate as usual that the porterhouse is not cooked properly, because it is not as rare as usual? Charity begins at home, but 1t is an excellent plan to try 1t on ones friends just to see how it really does work. 1t was delightful. The mem- bers of a chafing dish party used to sim ply bubble over with charity. Every thing tasted good. Everyone possessed an acute appetite and the elements for an enjoyable evening were all present.
 If the rarebit was success, the party gave vent to genuine satisfaction, for too often 1t was relief to know tha. things were not so gummy as our imagi- nation had painted them; we sometimes had presentments of door-mat rarebits which we would be compelled to eat as a matter of politeness.
 The writer once attended rarebit par ty where the hostess for surely you must knew that even some women can not cook rarebits) was a dear young girl with guileless blue eyes and the most se- ductive curls of pale gold (unperoxi- dized). She looked so innocent and good natured that when she conf1ded to me that she had reputation as rarebit- maker, I ceased to worry about the out come. Off and on she spoke frankly of her prowess, and by the time We ad- journed to the dining-room everyone felt perfectly at ease.
 That was the only time I was ever caught off my guard.
 I wish you could have enjoyed the mis- cry of that rarebt. I sat up with 1t all night and when at last I slept strings of cheese hung like icicles around me in my dreams.
 A man and a rarebit Is a much more interesting combination than a woman and a rarebit
 When a woman entertained friends with this popular mixture, she prepared ev- erything beforehand, and had the neces- sary articles within reach. The cheese was grated and the eggs beaten.
 With a man it was different. He col lected the ingredients at the last moment, as this caused more excitement and bus tie. Often he grated his cheese in plain view at the last moment before cooking it, for such a thought never entered his brain as beating an egg in the kitchen He liked to show just how he really did It. and at the same time endeavored to maintain an air of the greatest mystery.
 'I have thrown away a hundred pounds of cheese" once remarked a. well-known business man to me, but 1t was worth the while, for at last I know how to make delicious rareblt.''
 How"
 "Ah howl" he laughed. "How do I make 1t? That's the secret I learned by wasting so much cheese. I won't tell it.
 He fondly thought himself the only man who could make a real eatable rare- bit.
 But all men are not so secretive. al- though, as I said before, they pretend to be.
 There was something really interesting about the methods of "chef' who had made two or three rarebits. Of course he knew how. and wouldn't accept sug- gestion for the world.
 This was the usual method of pro- cedure Gan obedient wife and half dog en or so obliging friends supposed to be present.: Scene from life.
 As the very first step he took up the chafing dish pan and ran his fingers over it to see if it was greasy
 'Is this all right?" he asked his wife.
 The wife looked confused, and hastily assured him.
 By the way, where is the alcohol? Let someone hand it to me, please"
 This done, he said
 'Now, have any of you match?"
 Good; now we are started"
 "Oh, why didn't you put the hot water in the lower pan?"
 'Why, I did not know you wanted it, dear"
 You folks doubtless think I never made a rarebit before."
 He filled the lamp to overflowing and applied the match. With a puff the al- cohol lighted, and the guests started vis- ibly Madame alone never flinched.
 He chatted gaily for a minute or so, just in order to show how perfectly at ease he was, and then resumed opera tions.
 First, he put in the cheese and stirred it thoroughly; then he hesitated, in doubt as to just the proper moment to add the beer and egg He decided to put the egg first. Everyone looked on interestedly during the beating of the egg.
 Next, the rarebit was cooked a while longer, then beer added, and the mixture cooked still more. Worcester sauce and red pepper joined the combination, and mustard-just for luck. He kept on cook ing.
 Finally he announced that 1t was fin ished, and apologized that, somehow, it was not quite up to his standard
 The guests smiled painfully, but brave ly passed up their plates. As they watch ed the gummy mass lifted from chafing dish to a resting place upon the dainty slices of toast, realization of the con-. fronting task dawned upon them. A grim look of determination settled upon their faces, and they fell to.
 Lovely, isn't it?" said one of the la dies.
 Delicious" responded someone be- tween chews. q never"
 The remainder of the sentence was speaker experienced no little difficulty In unfastening her teeth from the rarebit.
 And so the comments ran on. One and all pronounced the rarebit perfect.
 Somehow the host felt i'll at ease He and he knew that everything was not as it should have been.
 He had been so busy helping his friends l. I-l IL