Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-04-03
Alma's
OvercOOkery.
BY HENRIETTA CRAWFORD.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

|
very extreme and thorough shortcom
ings In a culinary way. One was her
younger brother, Frank. and the other
her sweetheart, Ned Barnes.
There were also two persons who
most emphatically did not love her.
One was her rival for the heart and
hand Of Ned. Alma Goodwin. and the
other was Mrs. Barnes. the mother of
her sweetheart
Alma was a natural cook and espe-
cially proficient In the baking Of pies,
and Mrs. Barnes had two great weak
nesses or. rather. strengths.
One OF these was an overwhelming
love for good cooking and the other
was still more overwhelming love Of
economy and thrift Miss Alma had
always showed great aptitude for the
latter virtues. and that, added to her
pies. had won the heart of Mrs.
Barnes.
One day Farmer Norris came In with
the announcement that Mr.. Barnes
had broken his leg. This caused Jen-
ME to look very sad and to mingle
with her sorrow the selfish thought
that Ned would be kept at home more
closely In bearing his fathers share OF
the work.
ITS too bad, just as the husking
season Is on" observed Mr.. Norris.
| A bright thought seized Jennie.
Father. why don't you suggest to
all the farmers In the neighborhood TO
go over TO the Barneses and husk for
day? They wouldn't miss day
from their work, and II would do Won
ders for Mr. Barnes"
Jennies brain was very active In
reference to all things concerning Ned
That's good idee. Jennie, and I'll
hook up now and go and call on all
hands around"
When Mr.. Norris returned from his
campaign he said that all had willing
~ donated days services to the
cause and Thursday had been the date
set for the husking bee
Il stopped In to see Barnes and told
him about the huskin'. and II did him
good. I told him that 1t was all your
idee. and spoke up real loud so Mrs.
Barnes could hear. She looked quite
pleased like, and Ned spoke up and
said as how you was always thought
full. cal'late you made ten strike,
as Frank says"
Jennie's face frightened, and her IA
Their continued: when come past
Almy's she run out to ask about Ned's
pa, and ! told her about the huskin',
and she was let down for minute,
then she perked up and looked real
clipper"
shes thought Of something to do"
sighed Jennie. "Alma's so clever"
You always let her outwit you,
Jen." said Frank Indignantly. "She's
full Of mean tricks. and no one sees
through her but Ned and me-"
"She's got Ned's mother. body and
SOUL" said Jennie.
"She knows how to pull the wool
over her eyes. Why don't you. Jen?"
Jennie shook her head She would
not stoop to deceit.
II won Ned fair without any tricks.
and want TO win his mother the
same way. IL ever can"
Just then the telephone rang. When
Jennie had answered II and turned
from hanging up the receiver her IA
Their asked. what makes you look so
disturbed. Jennie?"
Alma has gone me one better. as
usual. She's been around to the homes
Of all the neighbors or telephoned
them and asked them to send In dona-
lions for dinner Ito save poor Mrs.
Barnes feeding all those men, She
has told each one what to bring
Bates. beans; Hayes. doughnuts;
Lukes, biscuits. and so on. or course
she's going TO send mince pies. She
makes the best Of any one about here"
What did she ask you to bring?"
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 IL
l couldn't fetch wood and water or do
anything. Don't you want me to wipe
dishesf" he suggested. observing the
dishpan piled full Of crockery. II new
i er break them"
"Oh. Frank. l 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
act Of dishwashing is quite apt to
promulgate confidential chatter be-
tween washer and wiper. and Mrs
Barnes unbent In her thoughts OF Jen-
nile to the extent Of remarking how
thoughtful she had been. But Alma"
she concluded. has taken such load
from me. never could have cooked
a dinner with Mr.. Barnes sick and
ALL"
Eyes, It was real thoughtful in Al
ma" asquiesced Frank. Say. Mrs
Barnes" he added In lowered tones.
won't you ever tell II tell you some