Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-04-09
who ever preached and practiced econ,

omy.
Jennie makes awful good butter"
continued the young diplomat, land
you'll need lot for potatoes and bis.
cults Why don't you tell her you'd
rather she'd bring butter?"
Now, butter was bringing pretty
fair price at the present time, and the
selling of that article was one OF Mrs.
Barnes chief revenues
"Why, yes" she said aifably; "Td
rather she'd bring butter. One kind OF
pies enough anyway. and Alma makes
such good pies no one would touch any
other kind but her mlnce."
When Frank returned home he told
Jennie Mrs. Barnes wanted her to bring
butter instead OF pies
Blithely did Jennie sing as she work.
ed the churn the next morning. But.
termaklng was her one achievement.
She worked the rich golden, clover
scented substance into rose stamped
pound pats and sent ten of them over
to Mrs. Barnes, each reposlng In
crisp lettuce leaf Lavishness was
Norris characteristic.
sure" exclaimed Mrs. Barnes as she
Toasted her eyes on the platter of pats
that represented so much coin to her.
I'D rather have good bread and but
ter than pie any day." asserted Ned.
Franks Italian hand had still work
to do. On his way home from deliver
Ing the butter he stopped at the Good.
win home.
Jennie got her pies baked?" asked
Alma sarcastically.
mo" replied the lad Mrs. Barnes
said no one would touch any pie when
they could get piece OF yours. 40 she
asked Jennie to send butter"
Alma's plain face beamed at this
compliment
"Well, I'm going to beat my record
this time. am making the best mince
meat ever"
LET me taste It," pleaded Frank.
"All right. wish you would and
tell me how you like 1t. l can't bear
the taste Of 1t before It's baked"
She brought forth the mince meat
which Frank proceeded to sample.
"It's prime, Alma. II l were you
I'd put In little more brandy and
bake whole lot more. Pa said that
was what he liked about your pies
you were never ,stingy with the Piles
or the brandy"
"I'll put In "A little more, then" said
Alma, going into the pantry.
As soon as she was out Of sight
Frank hastily took great case bottle
from his pocket and poured a good
quart Of brandy Into the mince meat.
The empty bottle was back In his
pocket when Alma returned.
Just little more, Alma" he id
vised as he stirred the mince meat.
Alma baked her pies that afternoon
and carried them over to the Barnes
homestead.
Lets have one for supper" pro-
posed Mrs. Barnes. "There'll be plen-
ty for tomorrow"
When she carried her husbands sup
per In to him she put a generous cut
of pie on his plate. He promptly ate
n piece OF It.
30 Lordr' he calculated. taste
this onceg
Mrs. Barnes did 80 and held up her
hands In horror. what extrava-
gancev' she said ITS awful! Why,
pa, there's enough brandy In that
mince meat TO last good housekeeper
for Year,
When she came out into the dining
room Ned wns the picture Of disgust.
II hope" he said sarcastically "that
you'll never hold Alma's cooking up
to me again. This Isn't pie; It's
drinkw
When, In addition, the flattered Alma
capped the climax by sending over at
least twice as many pies as the whole
assemblage could possibly eat her cup
OF inlqulty was full and Overlooking
In the sight OF Mrs Barnes. Waste
and prodigality." said she. Anybody
can be good cook with such cxtraya-
gance. ri have no daughter like
that"
Ned cnrrled the glad tidIngs to Jcn-
ME that night.
Alma never learned how her hopes
and plans had come to such sudden
shipwreck. No one ever did until
year later, when Ned was told In con-
fidence by his young parliamentary.