Graham guardian., 1909-11-12
Alma's
.OvercOokery.
By HENRIETTA CRAWFORD.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

There were at least two persons VII
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 whb
most emphatically did not love her
One, was her rival for the heart ana
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 Jcn.
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 huslilng
season is on" observed Mr.. Norris
A bright thought seized Jennie.
Father, why don't you suggest to
all the farmers in the nelghborhood to
20 over to the Barneses and husk for
day? They wouldn't miss 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 60 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 tolG
him about the huskln', and it did him
good. l told him that 1t was all yelii
idee. and ] spoke up real loud so ArE
Barnes could hear She looked quite
pleased like. and Ned spoke up AMI
said as how you was always thought,
ful. callate you made 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 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 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.
u won Ned fair without any tricks.
and l want to win his mother the
same way. If 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 makes 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-
tons 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 bringY"
Pumpkin pies" replied Jennie Bit |
terly. "She knows that mother Is
away and that l can't make pie fit
to eat"
Toward dusk Frank Norris appeared !
in the Barnes kitchen.
II came over, Mrs. Barnes. to see If
I couldn't fetch wood and water or do
anything. Don't you want me to wipe
dishesr' he suggested. observing the
dishpan piled full Of crockery. II new
er break them"
"Oh. Frank. wish you would. Lib
bic was just mean enough to leave me :,
In the lurch at the time | needed her
most"
Frank caught up the dish towel and
was soon dexterously at work The
act Of dishwashing is quite apt To
confidential chatter be-
tween washer and wiper. and Mrs
Barnes unbent in her thoughts of Jen,
ME to the extent of remarking how
thoughtful she had been. "But Alma"
she concluded. "has taken such a load
from me. never could have cooked
a dinner with Mr.. Barnes sick and
ALL"
"Yes, 1t was real thoughtful In AL
ma" asquiesced Frank "Say. Mrs.
he added In lowered tones.
won't you ever tell If l tell you some
thingT
no" she promised eagerly. "what
Is It, Frankr"
You know ma Is away. and Alma
asked Jennie to bring pumpkin pies,
and she makes the very worst ones
you ever ate. Jen's so polite she didn't
ask II she could take something else.
It's too bad to waste good stun In
no one can eat"
'T think so. too" agreed Mrs. Barnes.