Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-01-16

81 doubt it," he replied 'I've half
a dozen girls from the vicinity doing
upstairs 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 beneath them to turn cook /;
though they would have plenty of help,
and earn twenty dollars where they
now get three"
"Who's here from Greenland p I ask
ed, for l knew something of nearly
every one in the place
'Mary Lyford."
"Mary Lyford?" A black-eyed, light
footed girl, about twenty years old,
with two brothers IN Colorado, and
her father is farmer over toward
Stratham q
eyes, the very same
"Why, she's the prettiest girl in
Greenland-at least, | thought so two
years ago, when l danced with her at
the Thanksgiving party in the village +;
and heard last fall that she got the
prize at the Manchester Fair for the
best loaf Of bread. But why is she
here ?"
"Oh, you know farmers haven't much
ready money; and | suppose she want
ed 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 90 into
the dining room and propose to give
the cooks place to any one Of the girls
who would like it and feels competent
to take it, | must do something; and
looking at his watch he went out
"Ten minutes latter he came back,
clapping his hands, and exclaimed"
'Mary Lyford says she'll try it."
"Hurah for Greenland! | cried.
'Is'nt that lucky? By Jove? hope
she'll succeed, and believe she will y
"You mustn't expect much to-day"
said Norton. "Things are all topsy-
turvy in the kitchen, and it'll take
some time to get them Strengthened
out"
"Just then a new arrival claimed his
attention, and with a serener face he
turned away.
'Dinner was poor that day; supper
was little better. And, in spite of
Nortons caution, began to be afraid
that Greenland was going down. But
the next morning, what breakfast we
had-juicy steaks, hot potatoes, delic-
ious rolls and corn-bread, griddle- cakes
that melted in your mouth, and coffee
that lost none of its aroma in the max
ing. Thenceforth every meal was a
triumph. The guests praised the table,
fastened to their seats at the first sound
of the bell. Norton was radient with
satisfaction, and | was as we'll pleased
as if | had been landlord or cook my
self Several times | sent my compli-
ments and congratulations 10 Mary !;
but she was so constantly occupied
that never had glimpse Of her till
the night before | was to leave. l 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 dining room
girls on the piazza. l 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 salts
faction with what she had done. As
she stood there in white pique dress,
with scarlet bow at her throat, and
her dark hair neatly arranged, she look
ed every inch lady.
"Do me the favor, Miss Lyford, "
said |, 'to dance the next cotillion with
me.
"Ah! Mr.. Foster" she replied, look
ing archly at Norton, "that isn't expec-
ted OF the help
"The help!" | said, Indignantly.
"You are the queen of the establish
ment, and invite you to dance, and so
does Mr.. Norton"
"Certainly | do he answered. go
and show the company that you are at
home in the parlor as well as the kitch-
en-" So smiling, and blushing she
took my arm.
"Didn't we make q sensation when
we went in! Perhaps there was no
fellow there with better social posi-
ton (you know the phrase) than | !;
and had been quite favorite with
the ladies. You should have seen them
when we took our places on the floor !
Some laughed, some frowned, some
whispered to their neighbors; 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 |
believe all regarded her with admira-
ton didn't wait for comments, but
escorted her out as if she had been the
belle of Boston.
"Good night, Miss Lyford," l said
when we reached the hall. 81 am 60
ing in the morning; but | shall see
you again when you get back to Green
land"
"Good night, Mr.. Foster" she re-
piled, 81 thank you for your kindness. "
Then she added, laughing: "Have
YOU any orders for breakfast?"