Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1913-01-02

day. Well. I'm glad Of that IL there's
one thing ! enjoy it is an old fashion
e6 boiled dinner"
Evidences of the dinner OF corned
beef aud 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 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
WINS high color In her cheeks, and
her blue eyes flashed strangely as 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. Airs. Morris.
I'm in a heap of trouble, Mrs Top
ham" began the visitor. sinking into
chair. land when smelled your boiled
dinner wondered If you wouldn't help
me out"
What is it2" asked Sarah prac-
tically.
You know we never have dinner at
noon on Saturday; | always wait and
have 1t when William comes home at
O'Clock. Today l 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
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 fiftee0 min
utes, and | haven't got a mou TRIAL 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 1t cleared. yes, of course"
she said sensibly. shall dish it up
for you, or will you carry the pots over?
I've got a pot of potatoes boiled sepa-
rately.'
'Ill 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 helpT
mo, indeed I've got time to run
back and forth, I'm a thousand times
obliged to you. Mrs Tophaln. 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 great dish Of boiled rice and
huge pitcher of milk that formed the
principal dishes on the table
The face of Samuel Topham was q
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 NtuJuTed rather IlullOlN.
"Oh, no; there isn't any boiled din
ner," returned Sarah calmly. Il sold
it to Mrs. Morris She had unexpected
company"
sold the dinner? Are we to eat this
-rice?' Mr. Tophams voice vas elo-
quent of disgust
"Ot 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, Pm
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 l can earn to-
ooh, 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 parlCr, he did not see his wife
slip quietly out Of the side door and
hasten down the street and turn 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, too?' he asked dis
mally at 6 o'clock that night
Yes, 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 ell in
reply and when the meal was con-
eluded be put on his hat and left the
house 1t was significant that he, too.
turned into the Moses Bowman place.
AT he returned to find Sarah darn
ing stockings before the fire
i've got job, Sarah" he said in
heartbroken voice. Moses Bowman
says be will give me a life Job in his
ONCE as assistant bookkeeper I've
taken it and go to work Monday morn
Ing. J can't live on rice and milk
whether the world loses agpigcl- Grid