Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-12-12
MY KITCHEN GIRL.

lleashnt surroundings My fac
beamed with happiness MS turned t,
thank my husband for his thoughtful
ness and labor. We were Just mar
rled, and, although rather ignorant O
housekeeping, insisted that we shoult
not board, knowing how averse M,
husband was to such life.
"And now," said Harry, with as
sumed gravity, Mrs. Wilde, shall
conduct You to the realm oflabor i? Yo1
are going to have great treasure ther,
no rough, raw Irish-girl to frighter
you to death with her blarney, nor
black cook to order You off your owl
premises, bat nice little American
girl who Will be able to help YOU il
everything, and at the same time be
companion for YOU while T am dow
town"
80, how glad am !" l exclaimed
But where did you find hey ? Not il
the Intelligence Office, surely >"
80, no." sang Harry, whistling s
we'll known air, II was telling Uncle
Ned, the other night, what I wanted
and he said he knew a person that
would Just suit me. It seems this gir
came there, few months ago, to en-
gage IN sewing, and has been there
ever since as seamstress; but her health
is giving way, and she thought if she
could do the work of some small fam.
lily, just out Of the city, it wonld be
better for her than sewing. [ have
hardly had glimpse of her yet, but
Auntle III says she seems very sad,
dresses III deep mourning, and appears
like one who had just had some great
sorrow.
Poor thing" 1 exclaimed, my SYM
pathles Immediately aroused. But,
Harry. will she know anything about
cooking?"
20, yes" said lac, ''for size has al.
ways lived in the country, and one
day she told auntie that she had been
through all kinds Of housework; but
her hands are very small and delicate. ii
w i1J, ] am getting quite anxious to
SEQ her when viii she be here, Harrv?''
80, next week, he replied, very in
differently, / thought, with some sur
prise, which increased as he said:
And now my little wife, let us have
tea. l want TO see vo,1 officiata in vour
ow n home.
We descended TO the dining room, ]
lnwardly trembling, for I had never
made biscuit in my life, and didn't
know whether Ia put Il spoonful Of tea
III the tea pot, or cupful; but, oh,
what a surprise. There stood Il nice,
oval table. dainiilv set for two, elegant
with its white damas1, clear china
service, and glittering silver. \ bright
tire burned Ill the CRATE
looked so cheerful and home-likc.
Just entering from the kitchen | be-
held a graceful form, clad in deep
mourning; her face was pale but strik.
ingly beautiful, and as the gaslight
fiIckered down upon her golden hair it
cleaned like crown of glory She
greeted ns with 4 ladylike simplicity,
saying, Il hope you have found every
thing in readiness; will you take tea
now? lou must be faint after your
long ride
l sat down III bewiidered silence,
and after placinS call-bell by my
plate she withdrew.
Why, Harry Wilde, you have made
me 1Cjtd Ill more than one sense, Am
dreaming? Is she to be my kitchen
girl? Why, l cannot treat her as
such"
To tell the truth, Harry looked a
Little hewIldered, too.
Il declare, lie said ''they told me
she was refined. but this is little more
tn; IL / expected"
"Bus what q nice supper she has pre-
pared, and how thoughtful of you to
have her here TO receive u.s."
Why, did you tLink would bring
yol t. deso!ate, uninhabited place ?
Would let you soil your pretty hands
81 ,uc outset o, 40" (another whis-
tlel. = did think Of having a little
party here IL receive you, but conclu-
dcd that | wanted you myself the first
9 e.ening."
Harry has q way of talking nonsense,
sometimes, that might sound silly to a
third person, SO / won't tell you any
more Of or conversation.
How bright the future looked to me ,
True, my husband was not wealthy,
but L prefer IN empty pocket to an
empty head, and after all, we had
enough for 4 commencement, and 1
know there never was a happier bride
III the W de world than I.
Bat this story isn't to be about my
SELF, however, hrt oar kitchen girl! l
wus almost afraid OF her at fir t, she
seemed so far above ne, although al
ways quiet aud polite But finally my
,sifti.ence wore of and one morning,
donning IL hngr giEcham apron, | went
into the kitchen determined to take
my first lessons IN cooking. AS opened
the door, a low sob greeted my ear,
and advancing beheld the poor girl
bow, d in al agony Of grief, great sobs
choking her wbolt, frame
What is it, Mary :" I said, coming
towards her, and speaking as gently as
possible what is it that troubles
vou ? Il grieyes me t. see YOU sad, fo1
/ am very happy, and / cannot bear to
see any one sutfcr.
She reached out her white hand to
re, and AS c,u~psl il in mine [ drew
down the w"aitj, of golden hair upon
my shoulder and kissed the pale brow,
passing my li.:nh lightly over the tenn
pies. Wi"rc Ia" veins were swollen
f,.arfHllv.
"Lct m" lie ypnr friend, Mary We
are marty "E a. age you must not
weep 80. There, how We Shall be com
plI;ons fl each other. and Won musi
tell me I'll that troubles you-wiil yor
not? vi came here rs servant
hUt ctnto. treat on as such, fOl
yuri al" nay equal III every sense of the
word. am very much drawn tower,lt
YOU. arh ] long to win v"nr trust ant
I've"
80, yo" are TOO kind. she sohha,l
Il; j. i"T:, -.inCe ! nave felt Il caressins
touch 'l;,rn my brow, and your words
.'f sympathy ato very sweet. | do no
what - c,o'i;l ruur s'rnu4 heart witt
my s,orrun-s. and ALL tfv to hn nor,
cheerful.
WOW, no". sad I, playfull.y, ''tha
viii never IL ~ q fresh burst o
teas follow eh-"I've ccn3c down he.,
t. g Yen - s.Ye ,pc tone lessons il
cooking, for am dreadful ignoram
us: SO wc won't talk about it now, bu
some Tina an going 20 win the Who'll
story from Lou. Aud row. most au
GIst prcc, rtrcss what shall be my frs
lesson ? Ljok ut this mammoth bib
l mad i Oh purpose for this momen
tons OCCASION"
So laughed, half sadly, but it wa
laugh, musical and ripping, and
hailed 1t rs the omen of brighter hours
II ] could lccr her poor heart l de
termiEed ;o.,io il.
.f{ Kh:c I NAN