Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-01-06
the evening meal with the aid Of the

Oh Stove.
A creditable meal 1t proved to be,
though canned beans formed the prin-
cipal dish. and other canned and bot.
tied delicacies rounded out the menu
Morning brought sunshine and scud-
ding clouds across the blue sky. The
wind still blew heavily. but from an.
other quarter, and the waves were
dashing over the deck Of the Nautilus.
The casta Always tried to be cheerful,
but 1t proved a dismal failure, except
In the case of Jack and Phyllis. Those
two seemed to have tapped some re-
sourceful flow Of good humor. for
they laughed and TESTED and promised
most inviting dinner for the Others.
who chung to their bridge playing. now
sitting on the sandy beach with their
cards.
Jack and Phyllis disappeared and
were gone for couple Of hours.
While they were gone those left be-
hind beard the report Of Jacks gun.
"AfM Well have duck. at any
rate" murmured Carew.
"I'm afraid not" said his wife. Il
notice that the supply Of oil Is gone.
and the Nautilus Is washed over with
water. Every stick of wood on the
island IL too wet to burn. Cold canned
beef and crackers and peanut butter
will constitute our menu today" she
ended drearily.
There was nothing cheering In the
sight of Jack and Phyllis returning
with brace Of ducks, for there was
no fire to cook them by. When this
evil news was announced to the young
pair they merely laughed and said
there was oil enough to boil coffee and
heat some beans.
Dinners ready!" sang out Jack,
and they gathered about the hastily
prepared meal.
II thought It was to be q big din
ner with trimmings" remarked Carew
as be unfolded paper napkin and
shifted hungrily at the timed soup.
To the four older ones of the party
it was CHASTITY feast With most un'
seemly levity Jack and Phyllis insist.
ed on referring to the various timed
foods as though they were delicious
viands served at a well appointed
Thanksgiving table.
do have some more turkey" insist.
ed Jack. passing the timed beans
around
"And some Of the cranberry sauce" "
added Phyllis. holding up bottle OF
tomato ketchup.
This chestnut stuf1ng is delicious,
commented Jack. nibbling a crisp
cracker. MRS. Carew, you are not
going to pass up the mince PIER
i've eaten many a badly cooked
meal" observed Bob Hayden bitterly,
and I've partaken Of food from BOm-
bay to Bangor. but this is the arst
time I've ever eaten an imaginary
meal. II gives me mental indigestion
to think Of It"
Then what we all need Is exercise!'
cried Jack. And. having disposed OF
the remnants of the meal by tossing
them into the swift waters Of the
channel. he drove bis guests before
him up the steep bank and into a
plowed Held.
This doesn't look like any Of the
islands I've met around here" mar
veled Carew. gazing thoughtfully
around
I'VE went a good deal farther than
we realized in the fog. I'll lead you
to q place. Well. ladies and gentlemen.
welcome to Cromore~
A surprised shout went up as they
found themselves on the hill back OF
Jack Henshaw's home. A curl Of blue
smoke from the kitchen chimney bore
witness that dinner might be expected
there after all.
They looked at Jack for explanation.
I'VE struck the mainland instead OF
IN island. haven't been In that spot
for years and didn't recognize It till
Phyllis and went out this morning.
We shot a brace Of ducks. and be-
lieve mother has prevailed upon Chloe
to Include them In the dinner
"A real dinnerr' yelled Hayden and
Carew In chorus.
"Yes." Jack laughed as the two men
broke away pellmell toward the house.
Mrs. Carew and Mrs. Hayden looked
ut blushing Phyllis and happy Jack.
81 believe you two have found some
thing else to be thankful for" said
Phyllis mother softly.