The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1909-01-12

times puzzled by the domestic feats
her father described himself as per-
forming during his expeditions. He
was always camp cook, and yet at
home, in their well-appoiated kitch-
en-, with the convenience of an excel
lent gas range, he never attempted
any of that wonderful biscuit or gin
gerbread or omelet he boosted Of
manufacturing with such delicious
success amid the primitive culinary
arrangements of the camp.
To-day, under the spell of Cor
delia's glowing fancy, all six campers
had glorious time. They shut their
ears against the half-hourly intru-
sions of the whistling, putting sub
urban train; Pomforts woods be-
came an Adirondack forest, where
behind the distant tree trunks they
could spy the brown TANKS of deer,
while far stump took the shape Of
a bear surprised at his berry-picking.
When at last the sinking sun
looked at them level across the roofs
of Pomfort's stables, Cordelia gath
cred up her sisters and brothers and
her baskets and tin pals, and set off
homewards.
Meanwhile things had happened.
The doctor had gone to the city, he
had visited Mr.. Brathwaite, and Mr..
Brathwaite had come home early, to
find his house deserted and prefer
naturally silent, and white and suf-
ferinS woman in darkened room up
stairs.
But that was two hours ago. Now,
at five o'clock, two pairs of eyes, a
little misty, watched Cordelia as she
marshalled her brood up from the
back road and on through the mea-
dows.
At the garden fence she halted her
followers, and seemed to utter adj
monishing words, at which-most
curious sight!-they all squatted
down and waited in perfect quiet
while Cordelia proceeded alone to the
back door.
There in the doorway stood her
father and mother, and her mother.
although still pale. looked so marvel
ously radiant that ten years seemed
to have dropped from her age. She
had on her white dress, and there
was a rose in her hair. Her father
wore his new linen suit, and he
looked flushed and hot, but very
happy. Through the door Cordelia
saw the dining-room table all set,
and on it was great plate of ginger
bread and opposite that a heaping
mound of biscuits.
When Cordelia recovered from her
establishment, her first words were
of reproach:
20 mama, why did you get up and
get supper? i was coming home in
time to do everything"
II didn't do single thing, dear"
answered her mother, hugging her.
Papa did it all. See, he made gin
gerbread and biscuits"
The parents very graciousIy per-
mitted their hungry offspring to sit
down to table with them without any
further preparation than the wash
ing of their faces and hands.
At this supper there was a change
in the usual manner of seating. Or
dinarily Cordelia had Laura one side
and her mother had Bobs-baby next
to her, and Nan they shared between
them. Meals were rather busy occa-
sions for Cordelia and her mother.
Tonight their father placed him
self between Larua and Bobs-baby.
a change occasioning much joculari-
ty, which grew visibly feebler toward
the close Of the meal.
DO they always cat like this?"
the father asked, as at last he pulled
back Laura's high chair, attempting
at the same instant 20 evade Bobs-
baby's buttery caresses of his sleeve.
Yes, answered the mother.
After supper the younger members
of the family were about to dance
out into the summer evening, after
their care-free habit; but strong
voice called them back.
Marjorie and Nan. you will please
wash the dishes. and Jamie. your
mothers pansy-bcd needs wedding:
and 1 think Laura is big enough to
amuse BObs for n bit, and keep him
from bothering mama. To work. all
of you! Cordelia, don't you want to
take an evening stroll with your old
daddy?"
Cordelia beamed with pleasure and
surprise. Such an honor had not
been hers for many a year Usually
her father took the dainty four-year-
old Laura by the hand after supper.
or perched Bobs-baby on his shout
der, and went romping with him
down the garden paths. Cordelia
supposed that fathers always pre-
ferred the youngest ones
But tonight the father chose Cor
della. and put his arm about her and
called her weetheart-plain, over
worked, overworried Cordelia. He
was a very nice father, very hand
some and debonair and jolly. lie led
his daughter to the apple-tree bench.
and there they sat and talked over
what the doctor thought about the
mother
Tho doctor says she must 20
away" said Cordelia's father.
IT'S too bad that she can't" re-
Joined Cordeia
Why can't she2"
Because you are going away"
us that al1?" he asked. drv1v.
well. ] propose to vary my program
this year. I propose TO take my va
cation In my own suburban retreat.
and send your mother to the noun
tains."
COrdpIfa uaepcd buf vvoe er,oo,t