My First Summer 



may be put into the pack in setting out 

 from the home ranch and in a few days they 

 are done. Beans are the main standby, port- 

 able, wholesome, and capable of going far, 

 besides being easily cooked, although curi- 

 ously enough a great deal of mystery is sup- 

 posed to lie about the bean-pot. No two 

 cooks quite agree on the methods of mak- 

 ing beans do their best, and, after petting 

 and coaxing and nursing the savory mess, 

 well oiled and mellowed with bacon boiled 

 into the heart of it, the proud cook will 

 ask, after dishing out a quart or two for 

 trial, "Well, how do you like my beans?" 

 as if by no possibility could they be like 

 any other beans cooked in the same way, 

 but must needs possess some special virtue 

 of which he alone is master. Molasses, 

 sugar, or pepper may be used to give desired 

 flavors; or the first water may be poured 

 off and a spoonful or two of ashes or soda 

 added to dissolve or soften the skins more 

 fully, according to various tastes and notions. 

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