The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1924-04-18
like MOTHER
USED TO MAKE"
BY ETHEL A. LYONS

licitous expression on her round little
face.
mo, Mother Eames, you're not to do
one thing about Rogers birthday din
ner this year.
But, my dear, I'd love to do It,"
Mother Eames protested. "You must
let me make the cake, anyway"
Indeed, mol" Clarissa gave a little
gesture of finality. "It's all planned,
and I'm going to do every single thing
by myself" The bride of six months
looked very wise and determined.
Come on, Roger, we'll be late for
the concert If we don't hurry"
Roger rose obedientIy, but his face
was troubled as he bestowed good
night kiss on his mothers cheek. He
mean to her to give up all the happy
fussing over his birthday. On the
other hand, he couldn't tell Clarissa
that he'd rather let his mother do
this for him. Oh, well, it was one of
the things that were bound to happen,
anu HS SOOA uASLulSoCu IL rum MS
mind
Not so Mother Eames. She respond
ed cheerfully enough to the goodnight
kiss, but she sat for long time star
ing at the candles after the outer
door had closed.
Here it was Sunday; the birthday
would be Tuesday, and already the ice
cream had been ordered from RiSsi's-
Rogers favorite-vanilla with pow
dered almonds and very wonderful
caramel sauce.
Monday passed. Tuesday morning
found Mother Eames In the kitchen
just as the maid was building the fire
in the range "Hilda," she said, take
the day off. l want the kitchen to
myself"
Nothing 10th, HiIda obeyed.
And a few doors down the street
Clarlssa was saying: Anna this is
Mr.. Eames' birthday, and l want to
get the whole dinner by myself"
At 8 80 Mother Eames, mindful Of
her promise to appear early at Clar-
issa's, cautioned father not to be late
to the dinner, and went swiftly down
the street. The winter twilight had
deepened into darkness, but there was
no sign of light at Rogers. Strange!
Clarissa must be putting few finish
ing touches to the dinner. She'd go
around to the kitchen door.
No light In the kitchen, either
After preliminary knock she opened
the door and stepped In. In the faint
glow from the range she could make
out the form of Clarissa, apron-clad
sobbing convulsively at the kitchen
table.
why, dear child, what's the mat
terT Mother Eames' arms were
around the woe-begone little figure in
stantly.
"Oh. Mother, Mother Eames!" Clar-
issa spoke with difficulty. "It's dread
full It's almost dinner time, and there
isn't any dinner. I've spoiled just
everything! Even the cakel Look -
Tragically she led the way to the
pantry. The cake was indeed a sorry
sight Rough. hard Jumps Of icing
covered its uneven surface, with here
and there a ragged burned edge
showing through. Dumbly she point
ed to the Ice box. A few anemic
pieces of chicken were floating about
in liquid, presumably meant for
aspic Jelly. This was flanked by a
dish Of curdled mayonnaise, and the
garbage pail offered evidence Of
scorched cream soup.
stop crying, Clarissa. Go battle
your face and powder your nose. Put
on your prettiest dress and a big
apron, and come back to the kitch-
en-" Mother Eames' voice was brisk
now.
Clarissa was only too glad to do as
she was babe. As she reappeared
Mother Eames was just entering the
back door, huge market basket on
her arm. Laying aside the white cloth
cover, she deity removed the contents
Of the basket to the table. A thick,
juicy steak, bag of Bermuda onions
(steak smothered in onions, she ex-
planned, Rogers best dish), lettuce,
washed and crisp, all ready for the
table, and, last of ala cake, four
tiers high, its icing smooth, glisten-
ing, perfect!
"Oh, Mother Eames, this is wonder
full, perfectly wonderful" Clarissa
cried. But don't deserve it, must
confess. / wasn't nearly so much con-
cerned with your being tired as I was
with showing Roger that I could do
everything just exactly as well as his
mother could. He's always Boosting
about your cooking, you know"
Mother Games smiled dry little
smile. "Since confessions are in or
der. I must make one myself. I'm
afraid In my wicked heart I've been
hoping and hoping that something like
this would happen. That's why made
the cake and ordered Rogers favorite
dinner and the ice cream. Don't dare
breathe word of this to him. I'm so
ashamed, and now we're"
"Quits y Clarissa's laugh was actu-
ally merry, her cares forgotten. ITS
worth It," she added. We'll always
understand now, won't we. mother?"
Dinner was over Roger leaned back
In his chair with a contented sigh.
with all respect to your abilities,
Mom," he began lazily, I'D like to see
this dinner beaten anywhere. And
must confess" he grinned, looking
slyly toward Clarissa. that l expected
something entirely different-chicken
In aspic. or some such fol-de-rol.'
And II Clarissa blushed, he sttrib-