Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-01-31

beginning to end, not even emitting
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 high color in her cheeks, and
her blue eyes flashed strangely rs she
went to and fro, preparing the good
dinner, filing In gaps of time with the
making Of a cake or batch of biscuit
for the customers who were only too
glad to buy her toothsome wares.
A knock came at the back door, fol-
lowed by the anxious face of her near
est neighbor, Mrs Morris.
'Tm In heap of trouble. Mrs. Top
ham," began the visitor, sinking into
chair, land when smelled your boiled
dinner wondered II you wouldn't help
me out"
what is itT asked Sarah prac-
tically.
you know we never have dinner at
noon on Saturday; ! always wait and
have It when william comes home at
o'clock. Today only had few sand
witches for lunch, because I'm going
down to my sisters to dinner tonight
and William will meet me there Not
Ave 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 Westlake and win be at my
house at dinner time; that's fifteen min
utes, and | haven't got mouthful In
the house to eat, and they are great
providers and have regular farm appe
tites. Would you sell me your dinnerf"
Sarah puckered her brow an instant
and then It cleared. Eyes, of course"
she said senslbly "Shall l dish It up
for you, or will you carry the pots overP
I've got a pot Of potatoes boiled sepa
rately,"
I'm take the pots over. Have you
got pie to sparef"
"Yes," said Sarah calmly, bringing
the last pie in the house and folding It
in a clean napkin. Want any helpH"
mo, indeed. I've got time TO run
back and forth. I'm a 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 n
huge pitcher of milk that formed the
principal dishes on the tnble.
The face OF Samuel Topham was Il
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 yentured rather timidly.
"0h, no; there isn't any boiled din
ner," returned Sarah calmly. II sold
It to Mrs. Morris. She had unexpected
company"
Sold the dinner7 Are we to eat this
--riceT Mr.. Topham's voice was clio
quent Of disgust.
"0f course. It's very nourishing
Samuel You know the japanese llv'
almost entirely upon rice and fish
They whipped the Russians. yor
know"
II know. But I'm hungry, Sarah"
III you eat rice enough, Samuel, I'm
sure you can get along. I've been
haN ltUA nnlteaI %
on rice until the automatic griddle is n
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
bis rice and milk gloomily.
All the afternoon he spent In moody
cogitation before the air tight stove In
the parlor. He did not soc his wife
slip quietly out OF the side door and
hasten down the street and turn into
the wide driveway OF Moses Bowmans
handsome home He did not see her
when she returned with flushed cheeks
and resumed her work I'm the kitchen.
Rice for supper, tooT he asked dis
maly ut O o'clock that night.
Eyes. indeed. Pm greatly taken with
the iden, 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 II was significant that he, too