Year: 1861

sister. Sometimes 1 am very lonely. My deal and valued mother is becoming aged; and my nature erayes a younger and dearer compan ion

 Horrid At that moment an odor of burning meat came most unpleasantly to my olfactories ]! begged to be excused, and hastened into culi- nary quarters, to find the piece of beef l had so carefully prepared almost spoilt. Nervously l caught holder from the shelf, and in so do- ing, succeeded in knocking mas favorite cut glass pitcher, which fell with loud crash, breaking into thousand fragments. Phillip must have heard it. Oh, this meal getting, with lover in the parlor! With a flushed brow went back to the old seat. Phillip smiled pro- vokingly.

 Nelly he then added, I want wife, Home will lack nothing, then, to render it the dearest resting place this side of heaven. I know a little girl who is as precious to me as life'

 'Oh? Just then, disturbance in Bridget appearance, obliged me to leave again. I had carelessly left open the'loer, and dame grunter had taken the liberty to enter and taste of the pudding I had set to cool.

 It was in no enviable state of mind that hauled out the dining table and laid the dishes. As looked at the warm. heavy biscuits, unpa- latable meat and burnt potatoes, my pride and selfconfidence vanished. 1 should not have

 

 lent cook and notable house-keeper Mrs. Dean was. But Besides, in the matter of the palate, Phillip had been an epicure from his cradle, and everybody knows that men think more of their stemachs than of their sweethearts. To add still more to my trepidation, Phillip regarded me curiously when 1 invited him to dine. As he eyed the viands before him, thought he was going to say grace, by the sudden elongation of his visage. poured some muddy coffee, and notwithstanding my secret discontinue. Itook malicious pleasure in seeing him sip the bever age. He was an inevitable coffee drinker, but somehow, his cup did not lower much.

 What rare fun should have had, if had not been Dinah! We came to desert at last and when handed him the faky crusted pie, a re. lieved expression stole over his countenance which one tasting changed to perceptible gri- mace hat could ail my hightest efforts ?- Alas! had forgotten to sweeten the apple! Were vexations never to cease? By chance. caught glimpse of reflection in the glass. Was 1t mine? l glanced downward. Shade of fiam My faith in spotless-robed heroines was gone at once. l was a tr;colored exhibition of red, white and black. Troubles heaped them selves up strangely. I wanted to throw myself on the carpet and cry like very child. did nothing of the kind. Instead, 1 burst into a laugh, as the whole scene came before me in it's lieeulous ISnC. lauShed uIl the tears rolled down my cheeks; and, as Phillip became more dis gusted, my merriment increased. Laughed when he went away, though knew he would never finish the offer so snluckily began.

 Three weeks later he was united to Jenny Wheeler. Soon after, l attended party of at widow Dean's and had the happiness of over- hearing Phillip indifferent remark to Fred Lee kind of explanatory apology for the Irritation between us: " A dear little girl, but poor cook'

 ln time my parents returned and I was only too glad to put off responsibility of which was heartily tired. l sErewdly suspected that my father had an eye on Phillips coffers, for he was cross toward me for three days after hearing of the wedding.

 Just as though could have helped it t: learn ed two lessons that young ladies may profit by Firstly, it is different thing to play kitchen maid, with mother for overseer, than play the same without her. In the former case if you forget sugar, saeratus, or the oven, she will not Secondly, never allow lover whom you wish to call husband, to declare his passion at breakfast dinner or supper time, especially if you are forced to prepare the meals yourself. Be too busy, be skittish, be anything rather than allow it.