The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-10-03
THANKSGIVING VISIT
TO UNCLE'S FARM

Why don't you run out for the
dayf" l asked father. I'VE can get on
nicely here and perhaps can invite
somebody In to share our turkey"
"1he difficulty Ia that I've already
asked a guest" answered father.
"Blakely is In town. and az / knew
he'd be pretty lonely at a hotel, ]
tod him that he must come up here
Thursday, and now your mother q
awayi"
Poor father looked 80 doleful that /
felt sorry for him In spite OF the fact
that he had spoiled a plan OF mine
for Thanksgiving day. So l assured
him that would do my best to take
mother'D place
You needn't put on any extra frills
for Blakely," said father. Hes the
sort Of man who likes good old-fash.
Toned home cooking"
Il smiled at this, for l knew that
Mr.. Blakely lives at one OF those ex.
elusive New York clubs, where bach.
eiors become more and more pamper.
ed and faBtidious silently deter
mined to have a dinner that would do
credit to the family.
You know, Lucille" said Cousin
Fannie, when l told her that we
Their never likes to have the edge of
should begin the dinner with -Cotuit
oyster and bouillon. that your ia.
his appetite taken off by anything be-
fore the turkey"
But" | replied, 'ft would be Inn
possible to begin with turkey. Mr.
Blakely would think himself in the
backwoods."
Cousin Fannie made no more objec.
tions to my plans, but she looked sur.
prised when l said, having found her
taking two pies out of the oven Wed.
hesday afternoon, "Oh, we can't have
pie! That's really little too blu.
collie. A delicate dessert Is much more
appropriate after a heavy turkey din.
ner I'd make that delicious creme
renversee with vanilla sauce which !
used to eat 80 often In Paris. luckily
l have recipe for it."
AS we sat down to the Thanksgiving
dinner father said: Now, Blakely,
you won't find any of your fancy club
dishes here. | knew you'd much pre-
fer an old-fashioned dinner"
Yes, indeed" agreed Mr.. Blakely
heartily, for of course he could say
nothing else.
What Oysters?" exclaimed father
Then he looked at me again In sur
prise when Tilly brought in the soup
but l merely smiled Then after he
had carved the turkey he asked me
for the cranberry sauce
Il thought you'd like this better
said, pointing to the pretty pink ice
lilly was bringing In sherbet cups
We'll, | never ate Thanksgiving
turkey before without cranberry
sauce" he said, trying to laugh, but
looking rather grumpy
I'm sure the ice is very refresh.
ing" said Mr. Blakely, pleasantly, but
| was surprised to see him make a
wry face after tasting it.
Lucille, It's salty" exclaimed faith
er.
| suppose l must have dipped into
the salt jar instead of the sugar keg
when l mixed 1t for Tilly. It's stupid
to have salt and sugar on the same
shelf. l should think mother would
arrange the pantry better.
Mr. Blakely laughed and told story
about a man at the club who, think.
ing his bouilon was tea, spoiled 1t
with sugar and cream. Cousin Fannie
appeared so amused by this ancient
yarn that he was encouraged to tell
others of equal date. So the dinner
passed off pleasantly until lilly
brought in the creme renversee. Faith.
er looked at me 80 reproachfully that
| said, Now. daddy dear, l made this
French dessert myself, and / shall be
hurt II you don't like it."
With a martyred air father took
spoonful of it and Mr.. Blakely began
eating his at the same instant To
my establishment they both gasped
and choked Had not father been SO
dreadfully angry 1t would have been
almost laughable to see them 30 red
in the face and with tears In their
eyes.
Good heavens, Lucille! This is the
hottest stuff | ever got into my
mouth" exclaimed father. as soon az
he could speak. ut seems to be Tade
Of Jamaica ginger"
"Oh, Cousin Fannie" I cried, you
must have told me the wrong bottle
when l asked you where the vanilla
was. Isn't that too bad?"
TOO bad that We didn't have the
regulation pumpkin and mince pies
that l promised Mr.. Blakely," broke
In father. almost sayagely.
Miss Fannie, she baked some."
spoke up Tilly. who never can learn
that she Is not expected to join In the
family conversation.
by George, I'm glad OF It," said
father. Bring them on, Tilly. Fan
ME. you're always on deck at the right
moment. You have saved the day.
my dear"
Cousin Fannie looked pleased and
she grew pink when Mr.. Blakely, with
rather heavy-footed gallantry, asked
her pointedly If she had ever read
Patmores THE Angel in the House"
| should not have thought she would
care for compliment from a silly
old bachelor like Mr.. Blakely. He Ia
not so interesting an I had at first
thought him.
1t seems to me that after all my
trouble in getting up the dinner father