The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-04
The EVENING STORY
Mrs. Prendergast's Pies
By Philip Kean.1

faced with the problems of a trous-
seau and housekeeping outfit. The
traditions of Mrs. Prendergast's fam
lily had insisted upon a. generous sup
ply of household line, besides all the
dozens of dainty 1ace-trimmed gar
been rich and Mrs. Prendegast vas
poor.
Mary, you cannot get married 9Th
only $25 to spend on an outfit, was
! the mothers despairing wall, as the
] two consulted over ways and means.
Mary, pretty as a picture in her
cheap pink kimono, laughed. I'll get
married if 1 only have one dress" she
| said; but Mrs. Prendegast's pride would
not allow tat. 81 am going to find
the things you ought to have
Mary's face grew serious. Mother.
she pleaded. don't spend money on
me. You have always worked your
| fingers to the bone, and don't like to
think of what you and the children VII
| trembled.
Mrs Pendergast laid a rough. toll
! hardened hand over her daughters
softer one. 81 shall be so glad to
boys are older they can help me out,
but I never wanted you to work as
/ have had t. Mary"
| In. the days that followed the two
J women made fine needlework take the
place of lavish expenditure. With cam
brio and nainsook and delicate stitch
cry they fashioned garments that many
richer girls might have envied.
We've finish these and hope that
the money for the wedding gown
will come some way" said Mrs.
Prendergast
Mary said nothing. Brave-hearted as
she was, she dreaded to go to her hus-
bands family with her meager ward
robe. She dreaded. too, to have his
friends see her married in a shabby
gown She knew he would be proud of
her under any circumstances. but
other people might point at her a finger
of scorn.
Never mind" she. said quietly. ct
can manage nehow.''
Food is so high and tie boarders
eat so much" Ms. Pendergast
mourned, yet feel can't give them
any less and take their money"
Il know Mary said, eff you only did
not have to keep boc-ders, mother"
Mrs. Prendergast stated: cts my liv-
ing and am used to work but would
like to have enough money to keep the
kind of place know can keep
she rose with sigh and went out
to the kitchen. Her heart was heavy.
but the kitchen window locked out on
the woods whe1e there was the glory
or autumn sunshine amid the russell
and brown of the leaves. Mrs Prem
dergast found herself singing as she
made her pies. They were wonderful
pies, three of lemon custard. three
peach tarts criss-crossed with delicate
pastry. Mrs. Prendergast set them on
the WINDOW sill, and surveyed them as
an artist looks upon his masterpieces
1t is a satisfaction to cook like
that" she said, as Mary came in.
man has just arrived in an auto
mop1le, Mary announced, land wants
to know if you can give him lunch.
told him you didn't serve meals that
ne had gone lonc way from the road
he intended to take. He started yvrone
at the crossroads
Mrs. Prendergast nodded.
II will get him something" she
Mary, setting the table in the cool.
quiet dining room, stole occasional
chances at the big man with the bald
mead who rocked back and forth in
the corner of the porch. There was
ABOUT MN an air Of prosperity which
did not belong to their small town.
Ills clothing had a finish that comes
from the best tailoring, and the big
motor which stood in front of the
gate was another evidence that he
was endowed with more than his
share of this worlds goods.
once, as she stole a glance at him, /
she caught his eyes upon her. He |
nOQdeQ ana smiled.
This reminds me of my mothers
home he said, "and when 1 saw Won !
put that bunch of sweet peas in the |
middle of the ia BILE I almost thought |
1 had gone back fifty years.
Things don't taste now as they |
used tic" he went on, but believe ,
your mother is frying ham. it smells j
just like it did when I was a boy.
There used to be a mixture of honey /
suckle fragrance and of ham that is |
like no other odor on earth. 1t is /
pure country air and country cook I
ing that makes it,
Mary laughed.
81 guess people from the city are
the ones that notice it, she said. IT
have never been to the city. but am
little, and his quick eye noticed it
Going to leave your mother for
good?" he demanded.
Mary nodded.
makes me unhappy. I wish 1 could
take her along
She is better off here the man
said quickly.
But Mary shook her head.
mo, she's not; she has to work
too hard, and there are the boys to-
take care of and 1 don't like to think
about them all when L am gone.''
She blushed again, as she realized
that she had been giving her con-
4AOeHCe " q Stranger. oLS ran JACK
to the dining room and met her
mother coming in with the lunch.
1t was a country meal of ham and
fried eggs and hot biscuit with cot
tage cheese and the pies. The
was enthusiastic over every
thing.
Nothing has tasted so good in
years." he said. I'VE haven't things
like this in the city"
1t was over the pies, however, that
he grew most eloquent
did you make them ~ he demand