Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-06-13

again. I noticed that they all seemed
to have a dreadful time, somehow,
managing their tea in the new cups
which mothers sister sent us from
New York. However, 1 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 filed 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 its 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.
"I think those spoons. Aunt Mary
I 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 long! thought l would
show her that the kind Of ice-cream
spoons that l had been accustomed to
We're entirely different.
| 1SS, NY Suc uubWcTcup
sweetly, that's so they can reach the
bottom Of the glass to stir up the lem
onade.'
II could feel the color rush to my
cheeks. I was so flustered that just
said, SILLY. why. Of course
"That's what told you thought
they were for put in that husband of
mine, but you said you knew better,
and as it was only trifing matte,
anyway. I made up my mind that l
shouldn't allow 1t 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 1t being for
Jelly
"'Well, was going to tell you. my
dear. when the maid passed 1t to me
with the jelly; then 1 was afraid you'd
think me a meddlesome old woman. so
I concluded to let 1t CO. spoke up Aunt
Amelia in such friendly way, but 1t
really is a spoon for cracked ice. 1
never saw one before myself, and SO
I bought 1t because l wanted to give
you something that wouldn't be apt to
be duplicated The dear soul! She
put 1t so sweetly that I just. got a, bb~
and went over to where she sat and
gave her kiss.
and now,' with a glance at my
husband, that we're all so we'll ac-
quainted I don't suppose 1t would be
out Of place If should ask some of
the others to explain the uses Of their
gifts, would itT 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. I 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 man.
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 1t
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, I may as well tell you, my dear.
that that long-handled fork and spoon
are not for salad, but are intended for
olives and pickles when they are served
in the bottle
"'Well.' honestly confessed Uncle
Billy, I've really forgotten what that
queer.looking spoon bought at BIZ.
fany's Is for myself: they have SO
many new tangled things nowadays
that they didn't have when I was a
boy. but 1t seems to me that 1t Is a
cream ladle or some such thing
"'Nor said I. triumphantly, 1t isn't!
That is a cheese scoop" But fear I
rather spoiled the impression I had
hoped to cOnvey-fOr. upon being ques-
toned as to how knew, was obliged
to admit that I had seen one in a
silver catalogue that some jewelry
firm had mailed me.
"Well, We all had good laugh, and
our formal luncheon turned out to be a
very informal one, after all, and
have always felt thoroughly at home
with Bcb's relatives ever since. prob
ably due to the fact that the ice having
been broken, as 1t was at that first
luncheon"
"Well, what was wrong with the tea
cups" inquired the girl who never
forgot anything.
"Oh, yes! That was the worst Of
allr' concluded the one who had been
telling her troubles to the others. "Do
you know that the very next week
after my eventfui luncheon. Priscilla
Clark gave n pre-nuptial luncheon and
the very first course was clam bouillOn.
served in cups just like mine."-I. e.
NJ, in the New York Times.
The True Gentleman,