Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-11-27

Choking with veXation, Miss Kingsley
brushed the last cinder from the depths
OF the "out-oyen" and closed the door on
the even heat ready for the Thanksgiving
baking.
First would go in the rye and injun,"
next the white and brown loaves and then
the pies-pumpkin and mince-and good
ness knew what else. . yes, Nancy was
manufacturing a Pilgrim Fathers loaf, Z"
whatever that might prove to be.
The warmth of the oven may have been
reason for the extra flush on Bessie's
face, but 1t could not be responsible for
the two big tears running unpoetically down
her nose while she stopped to adjust the
iron latchbar.
Instead OF Thanksgiving day tomorrow
would be dreadful decs ion day Really,
Harley should not have chosen the holiday
for such demonstration.
Nancy had all the baking ready when
Bessie came 20 her.a assistance, all but the
Pilgrim Fathers loaf. And you may be
carryin' out of the loaves," she said, in her
rich, CHEEKY brogue, ''and III soon have the
finish"
Bessie bore away an armful Of pies while
the ambitious cook held up a dilapidated-
looking bake-tin. AN this shiftless thing
niver forgits TO burn It's contints, as I've
noticed betimes," she CALCULATED, squirting
bard at the condemned article. I've a
notion to sphread wan mite of paper in
the old mischief now. | don't want my
Pilgrim Fathers baked to a cinder! An,
shure, here's the identical bit of paper I'm
sfther havini" she exclaimed, as she fin
ished buttering the tin and picked up a
folded paper from the floor. AN it's
Nancy Ellen's scrubbin' as what makes any
floor clane enough to dine off of, bridling
her head by way of apology.
AS she fitted the paper to the tin her
defective vision saw only "a bit of writin'
on the wan side" and on the other some
O. the cAilders' map-drawin'."
When Bessie again appeared in the bake
room the Pilgrim Fathers loaf had been
safely dumped on the ''map-drawin'," and
Cook Nancy delivered ii into her hands.
Mrs Kingsley always made it point to
inspect the baking after it was turned out
on the broad oaken table in the wide,
roomy pantry. So when the loaves were
brought in on this eventful day the adroit
Nancy sent Bessie on ahead with the rye
an injun," while she turned the Pilgrim
Fathers loaf deity over and pulled off
the Drowned paper with a dexterous yank.
Sne so mighty me, she murmufeu, re-
ferring to Mrs. Kingsley IAN she isn't
likely to want the map O. Ireland on the
prize bakin' Ill warrant she'd turn up
her nose at even the thought of it, and
we don't want anything Objectionable on
the blissed day when all Ameriky is givin
of thanks. Holy Mother! / should think
notl"
Notwithstanding the precaution of Cook
Nancy and her invocation to the Virgin
Mary Mrs. Kingsley turned very white
as she touched her refined nasal organ to
the bottom of the prize" loaf to see il it
was thoroughly baked, for she saw some
thing on the rich crust which Nancy's de-
fective vision had not comprehended.
For full five minutes she gazed. The hor.
ror crept into her face Then with a sob
she called out: "Nancy Ellenl Nancy Ell
len! Come here immediately"
The cook, who was busy cleaning kettles
in the kitchen, hearing the unusual sum
mons and noticing that each word of her
Mistress was a smothered shrek in itself,
dropped her work and ran to her assistance.
"Phwat in the wurruld can be the mat
teri" she painted, flying along the passage
way.
Close the door behind you, Nancy Ellen.