The Somerset reporter., 1909-03-25

Pumpkin pies" replied Jennie bit
terly. "She knows that mother is
away and that l can't make a pie fit
to eat"
Toward dusk Frank Norris appeared
in the Barnes kitchen.
II came over, Mrs Barnes. to see II
| couldn't fetch wood and water or do
anything. Don't you want me to wipe
1ishesY he suggested, observing the
dishpan piled full of crockery. Il new
er break them"
oh Frank. | wish you would. Lib
bic was just mean enough to leave me
In the lurch at the time l needed her
most
Frank caught up the dish towel and
was soon dexterously at work. The
net of dishwashing is quite apt to
promulgate confidential chatter be-
tween washer and wiper, and Mrs.
Barnes unbent In her thoughts of Jen-
uie to the extent of remarking how
thoughtful she had been. But Alma"
she concluded, has taken such a load
from me. | never could have cooked
a dinner with Mr.. Barnes sick and
all"
Yes. 1t was real thoughtful In AL
ma" asquiesced Frank. Say. Mrs.
Barnes" he added in lowered tones.
won't you ever tell If tell you some
thing?"
No" she promised eagerly. what
Is 1t, Frank?"
you know ma is away. and Alma
asked Jennie to bring pumpkin pies
and she makes the very worst ones
you ever ate. Jen's SO polite she didn''
ask If she could take something else
It's too bad to waste good stuff If
something no one can eat
'T think so, too" agreed Mrs. Barnes
who ever preached ana practiceo 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 butterT'
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 affably; I'D
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 mince,"
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
termaking 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 reposing in q
crisp lettuce leaf. Lavishness was a
Norris characteristic.
"Well, Jennie can make butter that's
sure" exclaimed Mrs. Barnes as she
feasted 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.
NO" replied the lad. Mrs. Barnes
said no one would touch any pie when
they could get piece Of yours. so she
asked Jennie to send butter"
Almas plain face beamed Mt 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 IT, l can't bear
the taste of 1t before it's baked
She brought forth the mince meat
which Frank proceeded to sample.
Its prime, Alma. II ! 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 pies
or the brandy"
IL put III ieliO "'N, "'
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 ad-
vised as he stirred the mlnce meat.