Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-09-28
LIDA's GINGERBREAD.

zone cup of molasses. one OF sugar.
one of butter. three of flour, eggs, sooss
teaspoonful of ginger, half cup q,
milk that must be sour" chanteo Linua
Graham as she stirred a dark mixture
in a large yellow bowl with spoon DIS
big as her long slender arm.
Linda was all alone in the pleasant
kitchen, except the maltese cat, biue
Beauty, which sat drowsfiy Wasnihs
his face In the bright sunshine tnat
came through the uncurtained Wlnaow.
Grandmother was out making can on
the neighbors, and grandfather had not
vet returned from town. There was ho
one to keep Linda company.
She was OF such happy dlsposltloh
that she did not notice the loneliness
and having so much fun keeping house
by herself that Saturday afternoon.
"Now for the ginger said Linda as
bowl in her hand she started Tor the
pantry. .,, o..
happening to look out toward the
southwest window, she caught
glimpse Of mans face peering at her.
Il vanished as quickly as 1t appeared
but not before she had recognized the
evil countenance Of Steve Pierce, a re-
Gently discharged farm hand OF her
grandfather's.
A thrill Of terror went over her ana
her eyes turned in the direction OF
Iapanese tea canister that stood on the
TOP shelf on the left hand side Of the
pantry. She hesitated an instant, then
grabbing down the canister poured the
contents in the big bowl OF ginger
bread, added the spice and hurried pack
to the kitchen. l... .J
Her hands trembled with excitement
so that it took her as long again to.
butter her pan. She tried to humble
n herself.
her ears caught the sound Of heavy
footsteps on the porch, the door was
opened and voice WAS heard saying:
"All alone Miss Linda? Suppose you
are making some pretty fine cake for
the folks. On, don't mind me. just
want to peep in the pantry, then l Will
CO."
shut the door and turned to Steve and
said: What do you want?' with
catch in her throat. MY grandfather
will be here any minute and he Will De
angry because you are here, SAID
Linda with tremble in her voice.
"Oh," said Steve, vexed, Il have
some business to settle with your
grandfather when he comes nome, TOT
sending me off, and can't find JOB
any where, and am almost at the
point Of starvation" AS he said this
he was walking slowly toward the
II will give you something to eat"
said Linda, but the man stepped IN
front Of her.
mo, Miss Linda" said he, IT will get
my tea
line for the tea canister in the pantry.
Linda was friehtened half to death,
so that she could not speak. An angry
look was given Linda when Steve
found the canister empty.
f"where is that money that your
grandfather got for his wheat yester-
day." said he, looking threateningly at
the trembling girl saw him put II IN
this canister. Now tell me Miss Linda
because I am going to have 1t before
leave this house. i will search every
thing"
1--WE will find out said Steve. | Will
run no risks in this matter, whatever"
"Oh, Steve, my gingerbread VIII
burn" ;.
tell me where 1t is" -
AS they entered the kitchen, she
caught an odor of the scorching gin
perbread. She run to the oven but her
bread was burned to a crisp.
Il meant to try some of that ginger
| bread. but guess I won't now. believe
you have the money IN your poChe|
Linda 'hesitated for she heard the
faint footsteps Of her grandfather on
| the porch. Steve heard nothing. But
his greedy eyes were watching Lindas
| blanched face.
Her grandfather entered with one OF
the neighbors. The moment he caught
sight of the empty canister ne salc!
| LINDA, where is the money!
| Linda smiles and opened the oven
and pulled the burning gingerbread out
of the oven and cut a piece out Of 1t.
There were the shining gold pieces that
Linda had poured in her gingerbread
Her grandfather and grandmother
praised her for her braveness.
And all the people said that not many
girls of IL years would think Of such
thing. Ever after Linda was thought
lots of but Linda did not count 1t such
a great thing
| Marie Dfble,
| Simpson, Colorado