The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-20

eyes didn't trouble me so much I'd try
bookkeeping. but what's the use?
believe Sarah has a boiled dinner to-
day. Well, I'm glad of that. If there's
one thing l enjoy it is an old fashion
ed boiled dinner"
Evidences of the dinner OF corned
beef and cabbage perineated the little
house from front to back. Mr.. Top
ham leaned back in his chair and
smoked easily and read the paper from
beginning to end, not even omitting
the "want" columns, which were pain
fully suggestive of work.
In the kitchen Sarah Topham few
around from table to stove. to sink and
pantry and back TO table again. There
was Il high color i'm her cheeks, and
her blue eyes flashed strangely as she
| went to and fro, preparing the good
dinner, filling in gaps of time with the
making of a cake or a batch Of biscuit
| for the customers who were only too
glad to buy her toothsome wares.
\ knock came at the back door, fol
! lowed by the anxious face of her near
est neiGhbor, Mrs. Morris.
I'm in heap of trouble, Mrs. Top
! ham," began the visitor, sinking into Il
chair, "and when l smeled your boiled
me out"
What is it?" asked Sarah prac-
tically.
You know we never have dinner at
noon on Saturday; l always wait and
have it when William comes home at I
o'clock. Today l only had few sand
wiches for lunch, because I'm going
down to my sisters to dinner tonight,
and William will meet me there. Not
five minutes ago had telephone call
from the depot saying that my aunt
and her husband and their four chill
dren are passing through here on their
way to Westake and will be at my
house at dinner time; that's fifteen min
utes, and | haven't got a mouthful in
the house to eat and they are great
providers and have regular farm appe-
tites Would you sell me your dinner?'
Sarah puckered her brow an instant
and then it cleared. Yes, of course"
she said sensibly. "Shall l dish it up
| for you, or will you carry the pots over?
I've got a pot Of potatoes boiled sepa-
rately."
I'll take the pots over. Have you
got pie to spare?"
Yes" said Sarah calmly, bringing
the last pie in the house and folding it
in a clean napkin. Want any help?"
"No, indeed. I've got time to run
back and forth. I'm thousand times
obliged to you, Mrs. Topham. I'll bring
my pocketbook over next trip"
At 1890 Sarah Topham called her
seven little girls in to dinner, and, as
this was the signal for Samuel to also
appear at the table, they all gathered
about the board together.
The little girls clapped their hands
over a great dish of boiled rice and a
huge pitcher of milk that formed the
principal dishes on the table.
The face of Samuel Topham was a
study in disappointment when he sur
veyed the plain meal. Sarah avoided
his eyes and poured out two cups Of
tea.
you've forgotten the boiled dinner"
he ventured rather timidly.
"Oh, no; there isn't any boiled din
ner," returned Sarah calmly. 81 sold
it to Mrs. Morris. She had unexpected
company"
Sold the dinner? Are we to eat this
rice" Mr.. Topham's voice was elO-
quent of disgust.
"Of course. It's very nourishing,
Samuel. You know the japanese live
| almost entirely upon rice and fish.
They whipped the Russians, you
know"
II know. But I'm hungry, Sarah"
''If you eat rice enough, Samuel, I'm
sure you can get along. I've been
thinking that we would live entirely
on rice until the automatic griddle is a
success. Rice is cheap, and we need
all | can earn to-
"Oh, very well, Sarah, you needn't
explain any further" said Samuel, with
great dignity, and forthwith attacked
his rice and milk gloomily.
All the afternoon he spent in moody
| cogitatiOn before the air tight stove in
the parlor. He did not see his wife
| slip quietly out Of the side door and
hasten down the street and brn into
the wide driveway of Moses Bowman's
handsome home. He did not see her
when she returned with flushed cheeks
and resumed her work in the kitchen.
Rice for supper, tooY' he asked dis
mally at 6 o'clock that night
Eyes, indeed I'm greatly taken with
| the idea, Samuel" cried his wife en-
Enthusiastically. Let us live upon rice
and milk until one of your inventions
is perfected. I'm sure the children are
willing to do it,"
Mr.. Topham said nothing at all in
reply, and when the meal was con
cluded he put on his hat and left the
house 1t was significant that he, too,
turned into the Moses Bowman place.