The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-07-09

That Aunt Sarah had given us for that
purpose thought / detected a peculiar
look on her face. In fact, she looked
up two or three times as though she
were going to speak, and then she set
tied back in her chair again. I began
to get nervous, for didn't know but
that in opening the jar Mary Ann had
broken the glass, and accidentally
sprinkled some Of 1t in the jelly. But
when 1t came around. to me I could
see nothing wrong with it. I've all
ways understood that it was a trying
ordeal for young wife to be passed
upon by her husbands relatives, but
never did imagine it was anything
like what was suffering that day. AS
each dish was passed with it's respect.
i've fork or spoon-each a gift from
some one Of those present-reposing
carelessly on it, I watched to see the
smile Of qualification which I couldn't
but believe would show itself upon
the face Of the donor, but to my sur
prise and modification, each helping
seemed to evoke the same peculiar
smile that l had observed on Aunt
Amelia's face when she helped herself
to the jelly.
II began to feel like a martyr at the
stake, and I resolved, then and there,
never to invite another relative Of my
husbands to break bread with me
again. noticed that they all seemed
to have a dreadful time, somehow,
managing their tea In the new cups
New York. However, I thought that
possibly this was the first time in their
lives that they had ever been to a
swell luncheon, and pity rather than
fear filled my heart. From then on
pretended not to notice their awkward
ness, and only prayed that the meal
would soon come to an end. AS the
ice-cream made it's appearance, with
the spoons Aunt Mary had given us
lying alongside, on the cut-glass ice
cream saucers that my own uncle had
given us, l again Strengthened up and
grew laxative.
81 think those spoons, Aunt Mary
called to where she sat, at the other
end Of the table, are just as sweet as
they can be! What odd handles they
have, too-so longv 1 thought would
show her that the kind of ice-cream
spoons that I had been accustomed to
were entirely different.
"'Yes, my dear she answered,
sweetly, that's so they can reach the
bottom of the glass to stir up the lem
onade.'
81 could feel the color rush to my
cheeks. I was so fustered that just
said. Silly, why, of course
"That's what I told you thought
they were for put in that husband of
mine, but you said you knew better,
and as it was only trifing matter,
anyway, I made up my mind that
shouldn't allow it to get us into our
first quarrel And he smiled at me
from across the table. Now that
you've met Aunt Amelia, why don't
you find out what that spoon with the
holes in the bowl is for. I've had my
doubts all along about it being for
jelly
"'Well, was going to tell you, my
dear, when the maid passed it to me
with the jelly; then was afraid you'd
think me a meddleSome old woman, so
I concluded to let it CO. spoke up Aunt
Amelia in such a friendly way, but it
really is a spoon for cracked ice. |
never saw one before myself, and SO
I bought it because I wanted to give
you something that wouldn't be apt to
be duplicated The dear soul! She
put it so sweetly that I just got up
and went over to where she sat and
gave her a kiss.
"'And now with glance at my
husband, that we're all so well ac-
quainted I don't suppose it would be
out Of place II I should ask some of
the others to explain the uses Of their
gifts, would it?' At this they all
laughed good naturally.
"'Well,' began Uncle Harry, those
forks you used for oysters, the clerk
told me were for Strawberries, but !
reckon it's all the same
"'That's what made the oysters SO
hard to manage, guess. noticed
that they kept slipping up on the tines,
thought I.
""That spoon that Bob used for the
fruit is really tomato server went
on Cousin Emma, for was with nam.
ma when she bought it
"And that bowl over there, with the
Oriental spoon, is for mayonnaise dress.
ing; at least think that is what Caro-
line wrote me- she continued, while
every one at the table stared at the
bowl which I had thoughtfully filled
with powdered sugar, and placed right
alongside the strawberries, where il
would be handy.
$50 long as you don't mind our tell
ing you what the different things are
for said Aunt Mildred, pleasantly
why, may as well tell you, my dear
that that long-handled fork and spoon
are not for salad, but are intended fol
olives and pickles when they are served
in the BOTTLE
well honestly confessed Uncle
Billy. I've really forgotten what thai
n ,1eer-lOoKing gnOOn I h0npht at BIZ.