The Washington herald., 1907-12-24

Patiently enough the family had en-
dured Frank Framely's fads until he
became a vegetarian. An overindul-
gence in turkey at the Thanksgiving
feast had been followed by fasting. re-
pentance. and the adoption of the vege-
tartan cult Steaks gave place 10 sal
ads, and lamb 10 lentils. wherefore the
spare pennies of the Framely young
sters were invested in ham sandwiches
and smoked beef. instead of cake and
candy.
Patient little Mrs Framely despaired
Of getting a new girl in place Of the
departing Della, for Framely insisted
that his entire household share his
fads. and his wife realized the truth
OF Delia's indignant declaration that
no dacent gurrl would 'bide In a house
where there was divil a sup o meat"
1t had been bad enough when
Framely had adopted the thorough
mastication fad. and the entire family
had solemnIy chewed its food 10 the
loud click of the metronome. 1t had
been worse when all hands slept in a
tent in the back yard because Framely
had a cold and feared consumption
but even with an approved vegetarian
kitchen within half a mile it was diff
cult TO give variety 20 the menu with
only vegetables as a foundation.
The younger Framely refused TO re-
gard nut ragouts as fit substitutes for
their mothers savory stews. and the
hospitable soul of Mrs. Framely was
tried by the evasive excuses Of those
who were invited 10 dinner. The poor
little woman considered it necessary
10 explain that they were now vege-
tarians. and so anticipatory smiles
faded from expectant faces as the own
ers thereof mentioned transparent pre-
vious engagements suddenly recalled.
Finally she pleaded with ner husband
for a turkey for Christmas, TO his great
horror.
Just for one day?Y he repeated after
her. MY dear, would you plead with
me to feed my innocent children on a
diet of poisons for just one day?' No,
I have ordered a beautiful mock turkey
from the Vegetarian Kitchen. They as
sure me that it tastes exactly like the
bird, and it IS nodded into the same
shape. The children will not know the
difference II they shut their eyes"
But they can't eat their dinner with
their eyes shut" protested Mrs. Framely
feebly. Her husband regarded her with
mild sorrow.
If only they might eat with their eyes
truly open. he lamented: open 10 the
danger that turks within the dead flesh
they would stuff their stomachs with.
Some day they viii thank me for saving
them from the evils and miseries Of the
| flesh eaters"
Franiely adroitly made his escape be-
fore his wife could find an answer 10
this outbreak. and toward afternoon the
mock turkey made its appearance. It
! resembled a gigantic candy favor in
shape and color. The tinting Of the out
/ side had been rudely done and by no
means suggested the cracking skin OF
the barnyard king bursting from the
! pressure Of the rich juices within. Sadly
/ Mrs. FrameIy shook her head as she
showed the bird into the icebox along
with the rest Of the packages which the
wagon had brought, and busted herself
/ with converting some meatless -mince
meat" into pies.
AA
/ in the Framely household Frank, ir.,
had thrown his carrot outlet TO the floor
and had been sent from the table in
/ disgrace, and Nellie had invited a second
outburst by tearfully pleading permis-
sion TO so to her grandmother's. where
| they would have a real Christmas
dinner. Grandmother was on the ma
ternal side. and Mrs Coldfords intol-
erance OF her son-in-laws fads was an
ever-ready subject for acrimonious dis
cussion.
To cap the climax the elder Mrs.
Framely arrived unannounced during the
forenoon.
I was lonesome" she explained. as she
/ followed her daughter-in-law into the
parlor. so I just packed uD some mince
pies and some jellies I'd made and
brought them along. l guess Frank will
like one of his mothers pies for Christ
mas, though I viii admit that YOU do
beat me on your crusts. my dear Now.
! give me an apron and I'll help you with
/ the turkey
| Mrs. Frameiy, the younger shrank from
an explanation, and with the statement
/ that things only needed 10 be warmed I'D.
thrust the matter aside. When her hus-
/ band came in from church with the
children she slipped out TO put things on
the table. When the family came into
the dinins-room, she supposed. OF course,
] that her husband had explained, and so
made no comment when the old lady set
aside her thick vegetable soup with the
comment that she never did Ike those
lnewfangled soups.
But when the turkey was brought in
and set upon the table, the old lady
frightened up.
4 don't see how you get your turkey
such an even brown ali over" she said,
approvingly. Mine always burns on the