COOKING AND COURTING. Tom to Ned.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 142, 27 October 1870, Page 7

COOKING AND COURTING. Tom to Ned.

Dear Ned, no doubt you'll be surprised When you receive and read this letter ; I've railed against the married stateBut then, you see, I knew no better. I met a lovely girl out here ; Her manner is, —well — very winning ; "We're soon to be— well, Ned, my dear, HI tell you all from the begining, I went to ask her out to ride Last "Wednesday —it was perfect weather ; She said,she couldn't possibly, The servants had gone off together (Hibernians always rush away At cousins' funerals to be looking)— Pies must be made, and she must stay, She said, to do that branch of cooking. " Oh, let me help you," then cried I ; " I'll be a cooker, too, how jolly !" She laughed, and answered with a smile, " All right, but you'll repent your folly, For I shall be a tyrant, sir And good hard work you'll have to grapple, So sit down there, and don't you stir, But take this knife and pare that apple." She rolled her sleeve about her arm — That lovely arm, so plump and rounded ; Outside the morning sun shone bright, Inside the dough she deftly pounded ; Her little fingers sprinkled flour, And rolled the pie crust up in masses ; I passed a most delightful hour 'Mid butter, sugar, and molasses. "With deep reflection, her sweet eyes Gazed on each pot and pan and kettle ; She sliced the apples, filled her pies, And then the upper crust did settle. Her rippling waves of golden hair In one great coil were slightly twisted ; But \oeks would break out here'and there, And curl about where'er they listed. And then her sleeve came down, and I Fastened it up —her hands 1 were doughy : Oh, it4id take the longest time— Her arm, Ned, was so fair and snowy. She blushed and trembled, and looked shy : Somehow that made me all the bolder, Her arefi'd lips looked so red that I — Well — found her head upon my shoulder. We're to be married, Ned, neit month— Come and attend the weddiig revels ; I really -think that bachelois Are the most miserable devils. You.d 4>etter go for some girl's hand. And if you are uncertain whether You duie to make a good demand, Why just try cooking pies together.