Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1904-12-01
Ge Mission of the
Tomato Bisque
BY RUTH SANTELLE


1t good naturedly. Aspiring to youth
fulness in old age was not one of his
hobbies. He was guilty, nevertheless,
Of two-a pet ideal and pet aversion.
: The first was an imaginary picture he
had conjured up of an old time girl
who scorned higher education" and
devoted herself to the acquisition of
an endless string of housewifely ac-
complishments. The second was to-
matoes. Utterly unfit to eat. He
knew it beyond hope of conversion.
Furthermore, they sickened him unto
death-upon his word as gentleman
and soldier.
His thoughts were neither of the
visionary maid nor the detested vege-
table as he strobe up and down the
aisle Of the chilly car. They had been
fighting snow and wind since 4 p. m,
and now it was 10, and the drifts piled
higher Something had happened to
the steam pipes, and comfortable
warmth was fast becoming more
and more distant memory. Worst Of
all, they had not yet succeeded i'll
reaching the place where the dinner
was taken on, and, dinnerless, the ma
| jor was unhappy.
"Where in the world are we, and
what are we stopping for this timer
he growled as a blue nosed brakeman
swung through.
stopping because we can't go no
| farther" was the answer. This here's
! Graves Station, and we're telegraphing
| for relief Let you know directly" as
| he. disappeared.
Comforting, to say the least! Win
| dows so frosted you can't see out
| Probably nothing to see if you could.
| How a cup of coffee now would cheer
mans soul.''
| The majors dismal reflections were
| interrupted by clear, ringing laugh.
Irresistibly he stopped by the seat of
! the fresh checked, tailored girl in the
| wide hat who had been variously min
istering to the hungry, cold, tired car
! full Now, she had youngster in her
lap sitting his fretting with bites of
| juicy orange 1t looked inviting.
81 am sorry to say came the con-
ductor's voice from the doorway, that
| the drifts make it impossible for us
to go on We have sent for the plow TO
release us, and it can probably get here
In two hours. AS all trains after s
| o'clock are through expresses, the sta
ton is closed for the night, so l am
| afraid
| A chorus of groans drowned the rest
| Of the announcement. Helplessly and
| hopelcssly they looked at each other.
| The tailored girl alone, slipping the
| child from her knees, held Il moments
consultation with the conductor Then
| she called cheerfully:
81 am organizing foragipg eXpcdi-
ton. May l ask Ger valunteers, please?
| Four men, thinl. ,ng ones. Well
let the rest of you uelp when we see
what's to he done"
The response was instantaneous. She
had to be firm in accepting the four
who reached her first Like Il captain,
she managed her crew in undisputed
| sway, and before the now Interested
crowd could grow impatient they found
themselves filing through hastily shov-
eled paths into the stations single
| building, almost warm already with
huge fire in the stove.
| 1T wasn't n bit hard to get in war
! bled the captain, now playing hostess.
I'VE found quantities of wood, and if
you're all very good and don't hinder
we may find you something eatablc in
| due TING. Naw. you," to the fattered
majar, keep everybody else amused
some way while we get supper"
''That girl is a-a-brick." he MUIR
INJURED admiringly and proceeded to
obey orders to the best of his ability.
The merry cries from the kitchen end
of the establishment helped him in his
efforts.
"Grackers.' carroled the captain en-
eouragingly. Half a barrel full, And
can of cream frozen almost solid.
I'll have to sweeten some for dessert"
A few moments of laughter and ap-
parent investigation.
"Now, girl like thaty the major
was pondering, unable to keep his
Jealous glance from wandering.
Then a burst of triumph from the
kitchen: "Oh, see what I've found!
Cans and cans of theml Now for
feast~
dhen period Of busy silence and
strengthening odors.
In less time than the famished trav-
elers had dared hope they were ranged
before bowls brimming with a steam.
ing and savory congestion, the very
sight of which increased their faith In
q sheltering Providence.
"Fall to, fall tor urged the appar-
entity untlred girl, waving long ladle
like a magician's wand. There are
gallons and gallons, and l don't want
to see a motionless spoon till every
drop has vanished"
They needNsl no second invitation.
AS the major leaned back after
fourth polishing of his bowl the girl
came up with platter. Take this"
she whispered, "and gather the biggest
sort Of q collection to leave in payment
for our entertainment"
And the plate grew heavy as he went
the rounds, supported by the voice Of
the girl from her stool pedestal.
Then came the dish washing-C'Is
there anything that girl won't think
off," wondered the major)-and q round
of lively games, upon wAieh broke the
welcoming shFiek or the snowplow.
And how the winter night was rent
with cheer upon cheer for the captain
as once again they boarded the train
with a fair passage ahead!
The major by force capturea the seat
beside her
,Ays can't begin to thank you, of
! course 1t was Il case of salvation pure
and simple. And that stew-perfectly
delicious! If might ask you to accept
my CARD,
As she took the bit of pasteboard
she started and flushed; then, with
fluttering apology, was Off to adjust
the wraps OF an old lady who was try
ing 10 get a nap. And when at the first
stop she left the train, escorted by
bodyguard six or eight strong, with
musical "Goodby, everybody, and bon
voyaeer' over her shoUl Ter. the mnicg
felt that his advances had NOE beea
warmly rccsivya.
parihg the two days which the ma
jor and his son, who had gone ahead,
spent over the business which had
called them from home the younger
man found his patience tried by the