The Somerset reporter., 1909-03-25
BY HENRIETTA CRAWFORD.

There were at least two persons who
loved Jennie Norris In spite of her
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 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 a 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.
TITS 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 n day
from their work, and 1t would do won
ders for Mr. Barnes"
Jennie's brain was very active in
reference to all things concerning Ned
That's good idee. Jennie, and III
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 a days services to the
cause and Thursday had been the date
set for the husking bee.
~ stopped In to see Barnes and told
him about the huskin'. and 1t did him
good. / told him that it was all your
idee. and I 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. I caTlate you made ten strike.
as Frank says"
Jennie's face frightened. and her IA
ther 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 a 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-"
"She's got Neds 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. II l ever can"
Just then the telephone rang. When
Jennie had answered 1t and turned
from hanging up the receiver her ia
ther asked, what rnakos you look so
disturbed, JennieT'
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-
tions 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 OF course
she's going to send mince pies. She
makes the best of any one about here"
what did she ask Won TO bring? ?'