Year: 1862

Merrimac Co. IN. H. Agricultural Society.


The bene6cence of the Creator is
manifest in SO disposing our tastes, and
SO adapting these to the varieties in
which we are surrounded, as to make
life a scene of enjoyment instead OF a
burden. 1t might have been that ne
cessary food would have been noisome,
as it is sometimes to the diseased stom-
acb, had it not have pleased the Crea-
tor to have ordered it Otherwise
Bread is the staff of life; but butter is
given to make it slip down easier, and
with better relish. But it depends
something on who makes the butter
whether it answers this purpose. But
ter made in Joe Bunker's family needs
to be eaten in the dark; then to make
it pass well, one or two other senses
should be laid aside-while that made
by his brother Jonathan's may be eaten
in full blaze Of moon; you would wish
that your neck was as long again. that
you might have the pleasurable sensa-
ton of swallowing prolonged. Per-
haps bit of the history oI their better
halves will explain the whole matter.


Joe's wife was Sally Sly. Whom a
small girl she icdS sly; she would not
half wash the milk pail, but sly it away
and let it sour. She was sly at school,
and would not half get her lessons, but
have her book in sight when reciting;
but as she grew older she learned that
to get married, she must appear well,
and SO she bent all her cunning TO get a
superficial education in every form,
from roasting potato to playing the
piano. Poor Joe fell in love with her.
and Glove has no eyes," SO be married
her. But soon after she entered on
housekeeping, his eye sight came, and
he saw his fix, that it was "for better
or for worse;" and be thought it all for
worse. Like a true philosopher, he
concluded to endure what he could not
avoid or cure, and got along tolerably
well only when he came to her butter
for his mother was real butter ma
ker. Every time he saw and tasted o
her butter he felt the horrors. He
manner of making butter was some


what as follows: She thinks it of nj
consequence whether the milk pail j


sweet or sour; sets the milk in a warn
room, because it is easier than to G,


into the cellar, and if some dirt shoul'


blow into the pans she thinks ever,


man must "eat peck Of Dirt" and i
no place will it slip easier than in but
ter; she lets the cream pots be open, an
. when she churns forgets the poke
leaves the cream nearly at blood hea


that it may come quick. When sh
takes it out of the churn she picks ou
: the bodies of all flies and spiders; tn
legs and wings are SO small they ca


be swallowed. She works out half th
3 butter milk and sets it away in war;
5 place for use. Poor Joe has seen
{ much butter Of this kind that he dt
= clares butter does not agree with b
t health, and will not taste it. Yet b
: wife wonders why he does not try
s and marvels that he does not keep


dairy, and make butter for market.


J. Jonathan was younger brother
b Joe's and he had occasion TO eat at b


brothers enough to know why he coul
n not eat butter; and he declared that
a never would get married without know
o ing what his bread would be buttert
e with. Following the bent Of his fant


he made several attempts at matrimos
|. and Julia Juniper almost caught hil


for there was always good butter on Il
h table at tea, but he was determined
r know who made it. On inquiry, 81
m saws: "La me! mother makes the bu
N ter: take lessons on the piano"


"Well." says Jonathan, al want
" wife that takes lessons on the churn;
a shall look further"


After several unsuccessful attempt
l. and Just ready to despair, be started
ID pursuit of stray cattle before breakfs'


and wandered through the forest in
4. the corner of the next town, and wea


and hungry. called at decent loOkll
i'd house and asked for some refreshme


which was most cordially granted,
w the family were what were call
ed Scotch-Irish; in religion, Presbyteri'
Ms and in hospitality. boundless.


Here he found the butter e1sc
CO. right; though the weather was hot;


butter kept its shape as well as be