Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-11-22
NO. 279.
Miseellat1eoms.
TOM FOSTERS WIFE.
BY EDNA DEAN PROCTOR.
LcoNTINUED FROM YESTERDAY. |


"A year ago this summer I was very
much confined at the store; and, when
August came, instead of spending the
whole month at home. l thought would
have little change, and so went down
ior fortnight to the Cliff House on -
Beach. It's quiet. pleasant resort, and
you II always find from fifty to one hun
dred people there during the season. The
landlord is good fellow, and distant
relative OF mine. l thought he looked
Hurried when l went in, and after few
minutes he took me on one side and said:
"'Tom, you've come at an unlucky
time. had very good cook, that got
from Boston at twenty dollars week;
but she's high-tempered woman. Last
evening she quarreled with her assistants,
this morning the breakfast was all in con-
fusion, and now she's packing her trunk
to leave by the next train. In two or
three days I can probably get another one
down in her place but what we're to do
meanwhile don't know
But, Norton said |, isn't there some
one near by or in the house who can take
it?'
'' 1 doubt it, he replied. I've half
dozen girls from the vicinity doing up
| stairs work-one of them from your town,
the best waiter in the dining room. But
suppose all of them would either be
afraid of the responsibility or think it be-
meath them to turn cook though they
would have plenty of help. and earn twen-
ty dollars where they now get three
"'Who's here from Greenland p asked,
for knew something of almost every one
in the place
MARY Lyford'
MARY LyfordP A black-eyed, light
footed girl, about twenty years old, with
two brothers in Colorado and her father
iamer over toward Strathamp'
Yes, the Very same
"'Why, she's the prettiest girlin Green
land-at least, thought so twoyear ago,
when danced with her at the Thanksgiv-
ing party in the village; and heard last
fall that she took the prize at the Manches-
ter Fair for the best loaf of bread. But
why is she here?
"'Oh, you know farmers haven't much
ready money; and l suppose she wanted
to earn something for herself, and TO come
to the Beach, like the rest of us. You say
she took the premium for her bread l
believe I'll go into the diningroom and
propose the cooks place to any one of the
| girls who would like it and who feels
competent to take it. | must do some
thing, and, looking at his watch, he went
out.
Ten minutes later he came back, clap
ping his hands. and exclaimed:
MARY Lyiord says she'll try it,
"Hurrah for Greenland" cried l. SIS
not that pluckyP BY Jove! hope she'll
succeed, and believe she will
You mustn't expect much to-day"
said Norton. Things are all topsy-tur-
vey in the kitchen, and it II take some
time to get them s,iaightened out"
just then new arrival claimed his at
tention, and with serener face he turned
away.
Dinner was poor that day; supper was
little better. And, in spite of Norton's
caution, l began to be afraid that Green
land was going down. But the next
morning. what a breakfast we Juicy
steaks, hot potatoes, delicious rolls aud
corn-bread, griddle cakes that melted in
your mouth, and coffee that had lost none
of its aroma in the making. Thenceforth
every meal was triumph. The guests
praised the table, and hastened 10 their
seats at the first sound of the bell Nor
ton was radient with satisfaction, and |
was as pleased as if had been landlord
or cook myself. Several times sent my
y
but she was so constantly occupied that !
never had a glimpse of her till the night
before was to leave. / was dancing in
the parlor, and had just led young lady
of the Matilda Lane stamp to her mamma,
when saw Mary standing with the din
iug,room girls on the piazza, went out
and, shaking her cordially by the hand.
told her how interested had been in her
success, and how proud | was to find a
Greenland girl so accomplished. She
blushed, and thanked me. and said, in a
modest way, that she was very glad if
we were all suited; and then Norton
came up and expressed his entire gratifi-
cation with what she had done. AS she
stood there in a white pique dress, with
scarlet bow AT her throat, and her dark
hair neatly arranged. she looked every
il ch II lady.
DO NE the favor. Miss Lyford." said |.
''to dance the next cotilion with me-
"Ah! Mr.. Foster" she replied, looking
archly at Norton, THAT isn't expected OF
the help"
The help said, Indignantly. .'You
are queen OF the establishment, and | in
yite you 10 dance, and so does Mr.. Nor
tom
Certainly I do he answered. "Go
and show the company that you are at
hone in the parlor as well as the Kitchen
So, smiling and blushing, she took my
arm.
Didn't we make sensation when we
Went in! Perhaps there was no fellow
there with II better ''social position" (you
know the phrase) than l and had been
quite II favorite with the ladies. You
should have seen them when we took our
places on the floor! Some laughed, some
Irowned, some whispered TO their neigh
bors; but paid not the slightest attention
to it all, and Mary looked SO pretty, and
went through the dance with such grace
and dignity. that before it was over be-
lieve all regarded her with admiration. |
didn@ wait for comments, but escorted
her out rs ii she had been the belle Of
Boston.
Goodnight, Miss Lyiord. | said. when
we reached The hail. IL am going in the
morning; but l shall see you again when
YOU get back to Greenland"
..Gnn1. niuht she r..plieb ssl thank Won