Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-06
Alma's
By HENRIETTA CRAWFORD.
Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.


her sweetheart, Ned Barnes.
There were also two persons who
most emphatically did not love her
One was her rival for the heart ant
hand Of Ned. Alma Goodwin, and the
other was Mrs. Barnes. the mother oi
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 still more overwhelming love OF
economy and thrift Miss Alma had
always showed great aptitude for the
latter virtues. and that, added to hel
pies, had won the heart Of Mrs
Barnes.
One day Farmer Norris came In witty
the announcement that Mr.. Barnes
had broken his leg This caused Jeu
ME TO look very sad and to minglc
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 huskine
season is on" observed Mr. Norris.
A bright thought seized Jennie.
Father, why don't you suggcGt tc
all the farmers I'm the neighbcrhOod tC
go over to the Barneses and husk fol
a day? They wouldn't miss IL day
from their work, and 1t would do Won
ders foi lIr. Barnes"
Jennie's brain was very active IL
reference 10 all things concerning Ned
That's good idee. Jennie, a.d III
hook up now and go ana call on all
hands around"
y When Mr.. Norris returned from his
campaign he said that all In F! willing
ly donated days series TO thg
cause and Thursday had been the date
set for the husking bee.
81 stopped IN to see Barnes and told
him about the huskin', anu 1t did him
good. | told him that 1t was all youi
idee, and | spoke up real laud so Mrs
Barnes could hear. She locked qGitc
pleased like, and Ned spoke up ana
said as how you was always thought
ful. cal'late you made n ten strike
as Frank says"
Jennie's face Frightened and her fa.
ther continued: when come past
Almy's she run out to ask about Ncd'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
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.
81 won Ned fair without any tricks,
and | want to win his mother the
same way. If ever can"
Just then the telephone rang. When
Jennie had answered 1t and turned
from hanging up the receiver her IA
ther asked. "What makes you look SO
disturbed. Jenniei"
"Alma has gone me one better. as
usual. SHE'S Deen around To the homes
Of all the reighbors 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 ole what 10 bring
Bates, beans; Hayes, doughnuts;
Lukes. biscuits, and 80 on. OF course
she's going to send mlnce pies. She
makes the best of any one about here. y
"What did she ask you to bring"
"Pumpkin pies" replied Jennie bit
terly. "She knows that mother Is
away and that | can't make pie iii
to eat"
Toward dusk Frank Norris appeared
I'm the Barnes kitchen
81 came over. Mrs. Barnes, to see II
| couldn't fetch wood and water. or dc
anything. Don't you want me to wipe
dishesT" he suggested, observing the
dishpan piled full of crockery. Il new
er break them
"Oh, Frank. | wish you would LIB
bic was just mean enough to leave me
In the lurch at tile time | needed her
most"
Frank caught up the dish towel and
was soon dexterously at work. The
net of dishwashlng is quite apt t.
promulgate confidential chatter be
tween washer and wiper, and Mrs
Barnes unhent In her thoughts Of Jen
ME 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"
"Yes. It was real thoughtful in AL
ma" asquIesccd Frank. Say. Mrs
Barnes" he added In lowered tones
won't you ever tell If | tell YOU some
thlng:"
NO" she promised eagerly. "what
is It, Frank?"
"You know ma is away. and Alma
asked Jennie TO bring pumpkin pies
and she makes the very worst one'
you ever ate. Jen's so polite she didn'
ask II she could take something else
It's too bad to waste good stuff II
something no one can eat"
"T think 80, too" agreed Mrs. Barnes
who ever preached and practiced ecol
omy.
Jennie makes awful good butter
continued the young diplomat, "ar
you'll need a lot for potatoes and bi
cults. Why don't you tell her you
rather she'd bring buttcr|
Now, butter was bringing pret'
fair price ut the present time, and Il
selling Of that article was one OF Mr.
Barnes chief revenues.
"Why. yes" she said affably; II
rather she'd bring butter. One kind
pies enough anyway, and Alma MAKE
such coed pies no one would touch ar
other kind but her mince."
When Frank returned home he to-
Jennie Mrs. Barnes wanted her to brir
butter instead Of pies.
Blithely did Jennie sing as she wor
cd the churn the next morning. Blu
termaking was her one achievement
She worked the rich, golden, Glow