Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-03-26
The Argus Daily Short Story
>ALMA'S 0VERCOOKERY---By Henrietta Crawford.
by Assoc iated Iiterary Press

There were at least two persons who
very extreme and thorough shortcom.
ings in 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 natural cook and esDe-
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 10 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 harnesses and husk for
a day? They wouldn't miss day
| from their work, and it would do Won
ders for Mr. Barnes"
Jennie's brain was very active in
reference to all things concerning Ned.
That's Il 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
| ly donated days services to the
cause and Thursday had been the date
set for the husking bee.
II stopped in to see Barnes and told
/
| good. l 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. l callate you made a ten strike
as Frank says
| Jennie's face frightened. and her ia.
/ thor anntinnaI. I 20,
Almy's she run out to ask about Ned's
pa, and | told her about the huskin'
and she was let down for n minute
then she perked up and looked real
clipper"
"She's 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-
shes got Ned's mother. body ant
SOUL" said Jennie
"She knows how to pull the WOO
over her eyes. Why don't you. Jen?"
i Jennie shook her head. She would
not stoop to deceit.
II won Ned fair without any tricks
and l wait to win his mother til,
Isame way, If ever cam
i Just then the telephone rang. Wher
Jennie had answered it and turned
from hanging up the receiver her ia
Their asked. What makes you look s,
disturbed, jennie?"
alma has gone me one better, a
usual. Shes been around to the homes
of all the neighbors or telephone,
them and asked them TO send in dona
lions for dinner ito save poor Mrs
Barnes feeding all those men, Sh
has told each one what to bring
Bates, beans; Hayes, doughnuts
Lukes. biscuits, and soY,n. OF cours
she's going to send nlfice pies Sh
makes the best of any me about here
What did she ask f)u to bringy"s
Pumpkin PIES" n lied Jennie bi,