The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1908-11-06
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Of CONSERVATION growing on her face
as she followed its contents. Estelle's
father had gone down town to his
Office before the postman had brought
the mail, and Estelle and her mother
were finishing their breakfast alone.
Baby-a little tot of four-was still
asleep in his room.
Mercy me, daughter, what do
you think? Uncle Ned and his young
son-whom we have never had the
pleasure OF seeing-are passing
through our town tomorrow and
will stop off to pay US few hours
visit between trains. And what a
predicament l am in-Bridget called
home on account of a sick sister and
my laundress late with her work.
There isn't clean napkin-a clean
good one, l mean-in the house, and
the best damask table cloth is soiled
from the luncheon we had last week
Now isn't it just the worst luck,
dear? I could almost cry, if crying
would help me out in this matter.
Uncle Ned's wife is the finest house
keeper I ever knew; nothing ever
seems to go wrong with her house
hold"
Estelle sat thinking a minute.
Then she said: Tomorrow is Sat-
urday. That's good luck, anyway,
mamma, for / shall be at home to
help you"
mo, dear; you'll have your music
lesson to take in the morning and
your Sunday-school lesson to prepare
in the afternoon, and you know you
invited Sadie Martin over to spend
part of the evening with you. So
I'll just have to do the best l can
and make my apologies to Uncle Ned
and young Cousin Frank. But
though we are to be found in this
predicament, 1 cannCs feel sorry that
uncle and Frank are coming, for
always loved uncle as though he
were my brother. You know he is
only a few years older than l am,
and Frank is Just three years older
than you. So the visit-though
short-will be such pleasant one"
Estelle had risen from the table
and was quickly clearing the things
away. Now. mamma, it's getting
close upon school time, and must
help YOU with the breakfast work be-
fore l go. So let's not fret ourselves
about tomorrow till it dawns. You
know what papa always says, Never
cross the bridge till you come to it. >
So l have partly made up my mind
what to do for tomorrow; but I
shall give you my suggestion this
evening after school,"
"Estelle, you're going to be a
practical. capable woman; know it"
And the mother stopped stacking up
dishes long enough to kiss the cheek
of her pretty daughter, who was
bustling about as busy as bee.
well, mamma, l hope / shall al
ways know how to act in an emery
ency," Estelle replied, putting on a
big kitchen apron and beginning to
wash the dishes.
and it's the emergency that puts
me all out and gets me frustrated"
said the mother. 81 never was good
at planning ways and means"
We'll, we'll have our ways and
means this time" laughed Estelle.
Half an hour later Estelle was off
to school, her bright face serious as
she hurried along. "Let me see
I'll just drop by the grocer's and the
butchers this evening and give or
ders for tomorrow. Well have
roast fowl and cauliflower, dressed
with cream, and-but there's the
school bell! No more about victuals
Miss Estelle Brown, unless you wish
to miss your grammar lesson. Gram
mar doesn't mix we'll with cauli.
flower. So let things to eat wall
their turn"
That afternoon after school Es
telle hurried round to the grocer's
and the butchers, giving orders fol
the following morning. You'd best
deliver the chicken this evening, sc
that may have it all picked and
prepared for roasting tomorrow
morning." she said to the obligine
butcher.
When Estelle reached home she
found a new complication. He,
little brother, called Baby, hat
crushed his finger between some
stones in the yard and required mucl
OF his mothers attention. And there
sitting in the rocking chair, the cry
Ing baby on her lap, was poo,
mother, her face full of distress
"oh, daughter" she moaned; "poo,
baDy's finger is badly bruised. anf
just can't put him down to attenf
to preparations for tomorrow.
guess you'll have to phone to tn,
grocery and the bu-"
I've been at the grocery and Ief
our order for tomorrow" said Els
telle. STOPPING to kiss the now hushet
brother.
why, you thoughtful grill" ex
claimed Mrs. Brown. But
chicken? Why, how did you eve
think to get one? l hadn't made u,
my mind yet just what we'd have To-
dinner tomorrow. Once I though
we'd just have a outlet or a steak"
And have decided on the menu
II you please, mamma. For the frs
course wen have grape fruit. IT.