The Shasta courier., 1865-06-03
/" Shall tell her that YOU wish to engage

a cnok Y
"You may tell her that l wish to see her, !"
said the Professor.
"What name did you say %
Professor Mack, of Virginia, if you
please, madam
An everlasting long day was before him
and he had nothing to do; not a problem to
solve, except the one on hand, and that was
one of doubtful solution.
Eight o clock at last came, and the Pro-
fessor called again to see the young lady.
=" 4 cook, indeed !" said the Professor to
himself; she is a splendid woman fit to grace
any parlor in the world y But how in crea-
ii n should he make known his business :?
Poets, they say. begin in the middle Of their
story; but professors of mathematics, where
do they begin? Finally said the tuto~,
9 Miss g., how would you ike to 90 to Vir-
ginia 2"
ITO Virginia y said she, as if surprised
" Are you not mistaken in the person whom
you wished to seen'
"No, no" said he, ''don't you remember
when we both attended school in Franklin
street ?'
"Ob," said she, ait is George Mack-I
remember You well why, l didn't know
that you were alive !"
And [ have never forgotten you."
" All, indeed. YOU are very kind to remem-
Der me so long | thought every one had
forgotten me in my calamtiesh
- People often think they are overlooked
when trials overtake them but it is for YOU
to say that your present trials are at an
end
" Professor Mack what do you mean
Why | am :. mere"
IF you have had reverses I have had sue
cesses, and have the means Of making YOU
comfortable for l!e''
: But you 90 not know nv circumstances
now. for would not deceive you, George?'
= 1t does not concern me what you are now.
but what YOU are willing to be-"
" But | have an aged mother, Profes,
sor."
" And wish to have one she can 60
too"
Matters were soon arranged us to time,
place, and ceremony. and this being over
the party were off tor Yirgi lathe Profes-
sor pleased that he had solved the matrimo
NAL problem SO easily; and the lady that
she WAS no longer at the worlds bidding.
In the country Of Virginia great ado is
Is made for Il newly married couple OF
course much was expected in the case of the
Professor. But some . bird in the air.
carried the story in advance. that Professor
Mack had married cook What lady
would call upon her? What society could
the +. L. VS. of Virginia have with a cook
But the President advised bis wife to call
upon her out Of decepcy, at least If the
Professor had married cook. why. he didn't
know any better. All that he knew was
how to solve problems in mathematics. Be
sides he might not have mar led a cook. or
If he had he was well off in one respeot-he
could have good table
" Pshaw ~ says the Presidents lady,
:" what does person care about a table in
comparison to caste in society,""
Caste in society will do well enough" he
replied. 9 but since you must eat to live. a
well roasted turkey is better than fried
chicken. and a short biscuit than an ash
cake And what does an epicure care for
ceremony? A good cup of coffee is better"
" You are ~ Virginian, husband. other
wise you would not say that, for anybody
knows that nobility in log cabin is better
than cook in palace ~
3" Well, call on the lady and see-theories
are often good for nothing, whilst practice is
the sum of perfection !"
The Presidentess called and was amazed
the cook was much her superior-and she felt
it.
The other officers ladies having heard
that the Presidents wife had called on Mrs
Mack, were obliged according to custom TO
follow SUIT. they, too, were disappointed.
for the New York lady hadn't lived in a city
IN VAN. In mind, in manner, in ACCOMPLISH
ments she outranked them all Besides in
respect to family she was not at all inferior
her father having had "a fortune once and
lost it.
Commencement day was now near at hand,
and the great dinner was to come off at the
Professors. Nor was Mrs. Mack at all dis
concerted about it. She had seen a thing or
two before, and was fully confident in her
own ability to meet the exigency.
When the time arrived, all eyes were fix.
ed On Mrs. Mack How could she appear
in the presence of the Governor of Virginia
How in the presence of the Professors and
the President? And what sort of a table
wond she set. and how would she grace it
Could she 20 through it with dignity
Of course. all this was enough :. to trv
mems sonl's," but Mrs Mack was perfectly
at home.
In etquette-in conversation-in the ar
rangement Of all circumstantials and in
the formalities of the accession she showed
herself equal to the duties devolyinr unon
her, and evidently interested the Governor
very much by her powers of conversation.
: What charming LADY, said he to his
wife, is Mrs. Mack and what table she
set how well she graces it ~
" My dear husband, said she. "do Won
know she is New York cook-why. she has
been mere servant for many wears ~
. know nothing about that said he
'' but if she was, | wish every other ladv
was servant, and a New York cook To.
we should have something to eat then. nv
dear, besides friei chickens aud ashcake .
All men are not epicures like YOU. Gov.
ernor.'
- No-but if they were they would im.
tate the mathematical Professor. and po fo
New York to get a wife. A man wouIdn,t
be compelled then to 20 to a saloon to get a
sdecent dinnerl He could find one at home
now great rarity"
n