The Washington herald., 1917-01-02

blackensd hams and strips Of oily bacon.
Some sausAses. spaYerfbs and outs Of
round and chuck steak were In Q counter
case
"A good-sised fowl for fricassse," ~
peated Helen. as the woman. with her
pencils under her shawl. passed out.
From a small wooden refrigerator In
the dark rear, he took out . couple of
chickens with dangling. feathered heads.
They were very different from the
plump, white-heshed poultry she bought
at Boyds. They looked bruised and
blush. and SO scraggfly thin that the
breast bone almost pierced the leath-
cry, roughly plueksd skin.
Haven't you some that are plump
err And these look so dark and mot
They all run about the same, na.'sn-
They're nns, fresh chickens-that's
only skin bruises."
Helen hesitated. undecided. 1t was
probably only from careless handling.
She must expect some diferencs for
the eight cents less on the pound.
Tho nve-pound chicken was only q
dollar-thirty-two cents less than at
Boyd's. she reflected, hurrying home,
the brown paper parcel concealed by
her mum. Besides. to buy their meat
salutary lesson for Mr.. Boyd, Helen
thought He would not be 30 unoblig-
ingly sure of their custom. and 1t
might correct his tendency to cut over
weight.
The meats come, ma'ann. but there's
only pork chops.- announced Jane, as
Helen entered the kitchen Didn't you
order nothing for sundayr-
Yes. here's q chicken-I went to an
~. .lx,l.
Wash II well before you put It IN the
refrigerator" running in 10 answer the
olamorins phone.
II was Warren, calling up to say ue
was bringing Mr.. Holton home to dinner.
They were starting out now to look at
some Long Island lots, and might be
little late. but they would try TO get
back around T.
Jane, Mr.. Curtis is bringing a gentle
man to dinner Those chops won't DO
enough-we'd better have the chicken"
I'm 'fraid It wouldn't keep. nohow.
It don't look any too good to me-"
stooping over the pan In which Jane
was washing the chicken. Helen shifted
at 1t anxiously. There was no odor but
the blush skin was loose and nabby.
"Oh, / think that's all right. Jane"
reassurtnsly. Boil It we'll. and Mr. Cur
tis likes plenty OF gravy. Wen have
potatoes. You can open Q glass OF that
grape Jelly"
It was a quarter past seven when War
rem and Mr.. Hilton, tired, cold and hun
cry, came stamping in. their overcoats
glistening with the nne, misty snow. BY
the time they had washed up. Jane had
dinna- on the table.
"Jove, that was a cold ride!" Warren
rubbed his still glowing ears.
You get used to that" iauUhsA NJ
Holton, who lived in Riverdale. Il drive
| in almost every day-don't think any
! thing Of it,
What do you hks-blonde or bru-
| nette?" Warren was forkins over the
platter of fricssseed chicken. sarnishsd
with rice. boiled onions and gravy.
Anything; I'm not particular Yes,
| that's fine"
1t was not until Jane had finished serv-
ing the caulifiower and potatoes that
Warren assaulted the second Joint on his
plate.
Hello. what's the matter with this
bird?" struggling with the sinuous leg.
Regardless OF who was at the table,
Warren's remarks we're always uncurbed.
, He never hesitated to critcise the food
before guests.
Tough? It's like leather" ignoring
Helen's restraining glance. "How's your
piece. Holton. can you cut it7 Well, that S
more than I can. Talk about the high
cost OF rubber-right here's a substitute. -
''oh dear. please don't" extreated
Helen There's some cold ham,
We'll, trot 1t out! This old cock
won his championship the same year as
John l.. Hold on there, Holton, don't
risk your teeth
Mr.. Holton, distressed at Helen's en-
oerrassment. was struggling outrageous
ly with the piece on his plate
Though the boiled ham was delicious,
Warren's Indignation was unabated.
"Boyds keep open Saturday night.
don't theyT Well I'll give 'em a calling
down over the phone. They can't put
over that antiquated rooster-and get
away with It That old MethuseIah is
coming OF our bill"
Fortunately Mr.. Holton, having to drive
to Riverdale, left soon after dinner.
Helen was hoping ferventIy that Warren
had forgotten the chicken. but now as he