The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-06

Nv THE OVEN.
iySSSSSSSSSS YSSSSSSSS5S3
sY r. w. CHILD.

b.. mdu LII tlSul piaCC, ii
the place is tight enough
&2o~ Mr. Colchester had spoken
after we had been silently
fting for several minutes watching
e mist that was creeping over the
oonlit, water and listening to the
hirp of the crickets in the grass. He
ways began a story by stating the
oral. His way was to present some
inclusion and then prove it by a per
Bal; experience.
II was thinking of my sister," be
kpiained. "She once saved, US both
ON fearful death. If it had rot
ben for her ready wit should have
. pen a biscuitr' = $50
At this every one Strengthened LII
: 3'rceptibiy. Mr.. Colchester's stories
ere always interesting. ~...''
.'Perhaps all Of you do not know that
y father was a cracker manufactur.
)" he continued, land that he had a
pop with machinery. and three ovens
1t. OF course that would be con.
dered nothing to-day. when there are
hkeries that supply thousands of peo,
"a in every part Of the country, but
hen I was a boy I remember I used
wonder that there were enough
ouths to consume all that my fathers
sorknen made. s.#
Il often went down to the shop, for
was really fascinating to watch the
ixers turning the great rolls Of dough
yer and over, and. see the cutting ma
lines chopping long strap Of it into
tile sticky Jumps. Then old Carberry,
|e baker, would toss the pieces which
I'D been patted and nodded by hand
the tiled floor Of the oven. Some.
mes my sister Margaret used to 90
ith, me, for we were great chums,
hd it was on one of those occasions
lat we got into trouble
''The day, I remember, had been
tiny, and after discouraging attempt
amuse ourselves in the house, Mar.
bret said, Let's take umbrellas and
down to the bakery
RI was so glad of the suggestion that
forgot it was the noon hour, when
be men would be gone and the ma,
inery shut down. 1t wasn't until we
W the deserted room that we remem
bred it.
WELL said I, we are bright, aren't
e? But let's look roundup tell you
is look at the cool oven
Cool oven" exclaimed Margaret, ii
rprise.
'I explained to her that in the or
nary course of business only two
Fens were used, and that unless there
ERE extra orders there was always ont
rem which was out Of commission
hing shut of from the furnaces below
the big sheet-iron hampers.
I raised the latch of the heavy dool
hd bent down to look across the fat
ed surface inside.
/. It's just like cave, isn't it, Bob ?
led my sister; and I laughed at tn,
ca and asked her whether she ex
cted to see bear or a robber wall
t.
+ of course I don'tr she said, for sh
! ways was on her guard against m.
aking fun of ker. Let's crawl in
All right said I, touchMg the bricl
alls to make sure I hadn't made
istake; and then I followed her in
de through the gloomy opening.
Will it get my dress dirty?' Mar
= ret asked, out Of the darkness.
No, indeed said I. They have t
5Fep these ovens clean as can be
hey're fussy about every speck o
lst.'
4 had hardly finished when the irol
Por behind US shut with resoundin
ang. One Of the workmen who ha
me back to work had closed it!
80 Bob,' cried my sister. with lii
scream Of fright, we're shut in!'
Like two biscuits I laughed
III we have to do is to shout an
me one will come.
F'But Margaret was really scared
: I'D CROPPED her way near me to put he
Ind on my shoulder. l confess th
lrkness and the close. stuffy air wer
I from cheerful.
:'I began to call as loud as I coult
hd not getting any answer. creE
Ter to the solid iron door and bega
eking it with my heels. After me
ent I stopped, breathing hard frol
" exercise, and then 1 heard Ma
Aret's voice behind me, saying:
'Waith minute, Bob! Listen"
"I strained my ears, and from th
Inside I could hear q rumbling thi
|emed to come from far, far away.
ITS the machinery" cried. 1T
tier / o'clock, and they have begun
ork again. No wonder they couidn
bar u.s.. ..,''. "''' '.''.'''.-.'....
"By that time I had become reall
Fightened, and suppose l must hay