Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-26
HASH DID IT

 Caleb Andrews was man of 50. He was also widower, and had decided to marry again, although his 14-year- old daughter was running the house very we'll.
 Caleb wasn't a rich man, but in de- ciding to marry again the question of property had no influence. He was one wid0wer in a hundred about that.
 The Widower had an appetite He was born with it. It was an appetite that would have done credit to one of his work horses. He shoveled down the boiled dinners-the pork and beans the fried pork and potatoes-the bread puddings and two hours later he could eat as much as if he had been all day without a meal. When Caleb got ready to look up a wife it was almost a question Of Can she cook?" There might be much love to start on, but as she cooked and cooked, the love would grow and bloom and blossom until he would finally have to squint twice to make out whether she had wings or arms
 Caleb. didn't put up any surprise party on his three children when he had come to the conclusion to marry again. He sat down with his pipe after a hard days work and ate supper that would have made an OK groan with contentment. and said.
 Mary, I'm a hearty eater"
 Yes, father"
 Keeps you cooking most of the time"
 @Yes''
 You orter have more schooling
 T think so"
 But my appetite keeps you home and keeps you over the hot stove"
 Yes father"
 .'Therefore Mary therefore"
 But you must have all you want to eat'' said the girl as he hesitated
 Seems that way, but I've been thinking of late that if l could change fodder l wouldn't eat so much You cook first rate, but it's allus the same things over and over. Now, if new hand was to come in there'd be change in the dishes, eh?'
 T guess they would. but who can
 Nobody. Don't want to hire any body 'tall''
 Get married agin. Get wife to do the cooking. Get a wife who's got a, twist of the wrist about bilin and bakin and gettin' up new dishes. What ye think of it ?'
 It's for you to decide father"
 You children won't raise any row?''
 No"
 That's mighty nice of you and you can count on getting some Santa Claus in your Christmas stockings.
 Have you, picked her out? was timidly asked.
 "Oniy just kinder picked her out I thought I'd tackle the Wilder Bliss first.
 She's nice"
 Yes, but can she cook? She's got to be nice and mighty good cook besides After I've eaten one meal in her house I can tell whether she'll fill the bill or not
 The Wilder Bliss lived in the village three miles away. She was 45 years old and was weary of facing the trou- bles of life alone. If some good man came along-Some real good man some man that would appreciate her many good qualities-Why, why
 No one must blame her or sheer at her. As we are told in Holy Writ, husbands shall not know their wives in heaven and wives shall not know their husbands. Therefore. it is better to get plenty of husbands and wives on earth.
 Caleb, the widower, loaded up five bushels of potatoes hied him down to the Widow Bliss with them. They were a gift to her, and she- made It pfeciated. They became 50 interested in each other. and he had timed the hour so accurately, that she invited him to stay to supper. That's it! Now I'll get line on her cooking" he said to himself, after AN+NS little woman but can she cook? Can she serve up. 'taters in a new way? Are her pie crusts short and faky, or heavy and soggy? Can she make a cup of tea to curl the hair, or IS there a taste of dishwater about it?"
 The widow won the gold medal with a bread pudding. It was baked in a dish half the size of milk pan. Caleb's wife used to make what she called bread puddings but they didn t hold a candle to this one. A still small voice whispered to the widow that her visitor would eat that pudding to a standstiH if given chance and she made the chance. It touched the spot For the first time in years he showed back from the table with his appetite perfectly satisfied. When ready to go he said:- Wilder, you are a nice little wom- an!"
 I'm glad you think so. she replied with a laugh.
 T shall probably come around this way again
 And I shall always be glad to see you.
 The father went home and told the daughter what took place, and added Mighty nice widder and mighty nice bread pudding; but. of course, that don't settle it.' "No?"
 There's the Wilder Cable. Tve been told that sine took a prize at the county fair for her preserves"
 Tt was for her pickled peaches, father. We have no peaches, and so I never tried my hand at it.
 Seems to me now that it's ptckled