The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-04-10
sluslaEs Rl,u TEA.
BY MRS. JOHN SMITH.

For sometime past have had treasure
ola cook fine Bucks county girl, whose
strongest recomme ndation in my eyes,
when engaged her, was that she had ney.
er been out ofsiShs Of land. But, week be-
fore last she left my house for .be,,er
place." as she said. ] might have brbed
her to remain, by an offer ofhighor wages
but experience has demonstrated TO thy sat.
islac.ion, that this kind Of bribery never
turns out we'll. Your servant, in most in
stances, soon becomes your mis-, ress; or, at
least, makes bold efforts TO assume that po-
siiion.
So, | let nv Bucks county girl 60 to her
"beiter place" As to how or why il was
TO be a better place, Ibid no, make inquiry.
That was her business. She was free
agent, and ibid not attempt TO influence her.
In fact. being ofra,hcr an independent turn
Of mind myself, symps,hize with others
in their independence, and rarely seek to
interfere with decInred course Of action.
My new cook, unfortunately, had been
out OF sight Of land, and that tor weeks TO-
ge,her. She was fresh from the Emerald
Island. When she presented herself, | saw
10 her bu, small promise. Having learned
on inquiry, that her name was Alice Ma
hony, j said:
sHow long have you been IN ihis country,
Alicer
There was moment or two Of hesitat ion,
then she answered:
Sax months, num-
Learned afterward that she had arrived
only three days before.
Can you cook!' inquired.
Och, sis! Ony thing, from rib Of bafe
down ill a perase.'
you're sure Of that, Alice''
Och! sure, num-
Can you give mo referenceT
i've gat character from Mrs Jordsn
where lived in New York. I've only
been here few days. Biddy Jones knows
me-
And she produced written Justification
Of ability. signed Mary Jones, No. -, Will
liam street, New York" There was sus-
picious look about this scharacter; but, Of
course, / had no means Of deciding whether
il were a true or false document.
After some debate with m, self, ] finally
decided to give Alice trial.
!, 90 happened that on the very day she
came, an old lady friend of my mothers,
accompanied by her two daughters, both
married snd house-keepsrs, called to spend
the afternoon and take tea. As they lived
a, some distance. had tea quite early, not
waiting for Mr.. Smith, whose business kept
him away pretty late.
During The afternoon, my 'bntter man
came. Occasionally he brings some very
nice sausaQes, md I always make it a
poin. to secure few pounds when be does
50. He had some on this occasion.
Alice, said ]. a. entered into the ki,ch-
en-, abou. four o'clock, i want you to hur-
" and get ton ready as quickly as you
can.'
Yes num- was the ready reply.
And Alice | added, 'we'll have some Of
those sausages with tha tea. They nre
very fine ones, better than We usually get.
DO sure to cook them very nice'
Yes num- promptly answered tho girl,
looking very intelligent.
A few moro directions as to what We
we're TO have were given. and then ! went
up to cit with my company.
Il was not INV intention to leave oil to
the doubtful skill Of my now cook, but
either the time passed very rapidly, or she
was more prompt and active than is usasl
among cooks, for the tea bell rupg before
va' 10 expectation Of hsaringi'.