Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1909-04-21
Ely HENRIETTA CRAWFORD.

lONeU jennie MOTIFS Ill spite OF ner
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 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 q 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.
It's 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
a day? They wouldn't miss day
from their work. and it would 90 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
| ly donated Il 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 it did him
| coed. | told him that it 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. caIlate you made a ten strike
as Frank SAYS"
Jennie's face frightened. and her ia.
Their continued: when l come pas
Almy's she run out to ask about Ned's
pa. and told her about the huskin'
and she w@s let down for a minute
then she perked up and looked rea
clipper"
she's thought of something to do
sighed Jennie. sAlma's so clever"
You always let her Outwit you
JCn." said Frank Indignantly "She''
full of mean tricks. and no one see.
THROUGH her hut Ned and me-
she's got Ned's mother. body anC
soul" said Jennie
she knows how to pull the WOO
over her eyes. Why don't you. Jen?'
Jennie shook her head She woul,
not stoop to deceit.
Il won Ned fair without any tricks
ana want to win his mother tn
+aDc WI r. ever can"
Jus, then he telephone rang. Whel
Jer,ir nd answered it and turne,
Fl n hHu it@ Up the receiver her fl
Their a',:rd What makes you look S
disturbed. .,enHie?"
"Alma has gone me one better a
usual Shes been around to the home
Of NIL the neighbors or telephone
them and asked them to send in dona
tiors for dinner ito save poor Mr.
Barnes feeding all those men Sh
has told each ore what to bring
Bates, beams: Hayes. dOughnuts
Lules. biscuits. ard so on. OF cours
she's going to send mince pies. 81
males the best Of any one about here
What did she ask you to bring?"
= Pumpkin pies" replied Jennie hi
t"rly she knows that mother
D away and that l.can't make pie (
. to eat"
Toward dusk Frank Norris appeare
in the Barnes kitchen
-! came over. Mrs. Barnes. to see
couldn't fetch wood and water or d
| any tllliiS. A'oH you WANT ue 10 VII
= dishes?" he suggested. observing ii
o dishpan piled full Of crockery Il ne,
er break them"
:, "Oh. Frank. | wish you would. Lii
, bic was just mean enough to leave N
u in the lurch at the time l needed h,
e most"
Frank caught up the dish towel ar
:. was soon dexterously at work. TT
l. act of dishwashing is quite apt
Y promulgate confidential chatter b
tween washer and wiper, and MI
Il Barnes unbent in her thoughts Of Je
ME to the extent of remarking no
thoughtful she had been. "But Alma
IT, she concluded, has taken such 10;
I'd from me. l never could have cook,
a dinner with Mr.. Barnes sick al
all"
- Eyes, it was real thoughtful in
ma" asquiesced Frank. Say, MI
Do Io oIIoI IL, IoruoroI ION.