Year: 1877

sionally put little more butter on during
baking. That, | suppose, is TO make il
brown better And now for my boob
again.


But what is the matter with the rice?'
stood aghast, and gazed upon the pot,
aud their snowy white contents, like one
in a dream. In desperation | seized O
third and still larger pot, aud from botl
vessels proceeded to practically fill it.


That rice Even now | never think oil
it without a sickening sensation. For two
days it was served in every conceivable
style; as substitute for tea, fried for
breakfast, and pudding for dinner.


just before dinner father returned from
town, accompanied by Cousin Will, who
was my special aversion, insomuch as he
never let pass an opportunity to plague
me. On this account, therefore, | was, il
possible, more anxious than ever that my
dinner should be u success. With them
came also Harry Lee Now, had often
been teased about Harry. lie certainly
came to the house great deal, aud danced
with me at all the parties, and in other
ways showed his admiration. As vet,
however, | could not make up my mind
whether liked him or not. lie was rich
accomplished and handsome, and the girls
all envied what they called 'my good for
tune, but | was | must confess, little
afraid of him. He was so self.contained
that had an idea he was severe. | was
all in hutter, therefore, when found he
had come to dinner, and trembed least
there should be some mistake. | almost
regretted that | had undertaken to play
the part Of cook. What, in the morning
had seemed to me such rare fun, now ap.
peared to be the very reverse.


But there was nothing to do, but to put
a good face on the matter, and 90 on. All
things being ready, / set the table,
sweetened can of peaches, and proceeded
to take up dinner. The chicken con.
sdered done to turn; but neither biscuit
nor potatoes had exactly the right look,
the former being undcuiably yellow and
hard. One accidently dropping on the
floor, startled me with its solid thud. The
potatoes, | regret to say, were in condi-
tion that rendered the use of spoon not
simply convenient, but simply essential.


At length, with beating heart, flushed
checks and burnt fingers, announced all
things as ready aud the family assembled
in the dining-room.


" a very nice looking dinner, indeed, -
said father, wisely fixing his eye upon the
side table, where stood the dessert of cake
mot of my making and the canned fruit
Here, Will, he added, II have the
headache; take this seat, if you please, and
carve


" And SO, Cousin Retta, you have turned
cook, said viii. "a very nice looking
dinner, considering" Here he suddenly
paused, laid down the carving knife, and
for an instant puzzled expression over
spread his face. Then, in spite of all
efforts to restrain himself, he burst into an
uncomfortable fit of laughter. "Why.
what's the matter with the chicken" he
exclaimed, at length, Mother in mild
tones came to my relief.


They forgot to SINCE it properly for
Retta," she said apologotically. Suppose
We have it taken away. Let us try the
ham"


1t would be useless for me to enter into
the details Of that dinner, or to attempt to
repeat the many jokes that Will made at
my expense. During that hour learned
the importance Of grinding coffee, and
discovered that hot water was preferable
to cold in making that most delightful
beverage. That part of my instructions |
listened to in meckness Of spirit, but when
the whole egg, which had been boiled in
the coffee-pot, was taken out, and even
mother laughed, it was more than | could
bear The tears would come.


1t was with feeling of relief arose to
remove the dishes and help to dessert.
"This ut least is one thing about which
there can be nothing wrong" l said to
myself Had not, in remembrance of
the family propensity for sweet things, put
two full cups Of sugar on those peaches
Was not the cream rich in quality and
abundant in quantity? What more could
be desired?


So, Retta, to atone for this peculiarly
served dinner. you have given us our
favorite dessert" said father, leisurely
stirring the cream and sugar into his
peaches before tasting them.


:" And full atonement it is," replied
Will, still laughing, as he raised his spoon
to his lips.


How shall tell the sequel? The next
instant Will sprang from the table aud
rushed out Of the room, with father fol.
lowing close at his heels. | turned first
from mother to sister for explanation,
did not dare to look at Harry, but had
they taken dose of quinine they could
not have worn upon their faces look ex-
pressive Of greater dismay and disgust.


had not yet helped myself, but seizing
a spoon | plunged it into the peaches,
When had tasted all was clear | had
salted instead Of sngared the fruit.


| afterward found that had mistaken
the sugar barrel Both stood together in
the storeroom, side by side, and had used
their contents without looking critically at
them. Hence my mistake.


All this time, while VIII was making
open fun of me, while mother could not
always keep back smile, Harry had ncv-
er, for s2e instant, changed countenance.
In his easy, well-bred manner, he kept up
the conversation, as il nothing had gone
wrong. Had he been dining at belmont
cos with everything working as smoothly
as it always does there, with each separate
dish the perfection in its way ofculninary
science, he could not have worn more
unconcerned look. At the episode of the
chicken, not a muscle of his face relaxed.
When the peaches came on, be was the
first to taste them, but he gave no sign
whatever Of their condition. And all
through the dinner, with its other mis-
takes, which gladly bury in oblivion, he
showed the same delicate consideration for
my feelings.


What wonder that, from that hour. /
began to like him He was no longer
stern and severe in my eyes. He was on
\ ~. 10y -