The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-08-21
A CALIFORNIA ROMANCE.
A BACHELOR ADVERTISING FOR A COOK
AND SECURING A WIFE.

was n slim creature IN the SnabDleSt
shawl and bonnet there, with exactly
enough flesh ON her bones to hold them
together, but lady every inch of her.
+" References" he said to her as she
sat before him.
She took off her mended glove and
showed him forefnger rough as nut
meg with much sewing.
There's the only proof have that
I've been trying to earn an honest
living" said she.
An odd reference for cook" said
he.
"That's for character" said she.
"1'll show you how l can cook-Ill
give you practical proof Of that"
You are not servant" said he.
"Not yet. I mean to be. 1 have
been sewing for living, and am sick
of it," said she.
He looked at her from top to toe.
"Family?"
+" Myself only" said he.
She nodded.
Dinner at six."
She nodded again.
Soup every day ?''
She nodded once more.
For the rest, variety"
All right" said she.
He named her wages, and took her
down into the kitchen, where the
young person who was general assist
ant received her with bewilder ed
stare.
After that he did not see her for four
weeks, but his meals were delicious.
At the end of the time he went down
stairs to pay her wages. 1t was late in
the evening. A plump lady, with pink
cheeks, sat before the fire stoning raj.
sons. He did not know her at first, but
as the knowledge dawned upon him he
realized how nearly she had been to
starvation on the day when he hired
her. All he said was:
I'd like my steak broiled less."
A fter that he saw her in four weeks
regularly. She never said anything to
him but Thankye, sir" He always
found fault with something, his eyes
fixed on vacancy the while. He was a
trim big bachelor of forty, with hand
some black side whikers. She was
thirty, and a warm-tinted blonde-not
red-haired, though the kitchen girl
thought so. Her hair was Titian's pet
color. Inwardly she called her master
"that bear" Secretely she thought
him very handsome.
One day the dinner came down un>
tasted.
What fault has he found with it
now ?" she asked.
"None," said the girl. He's
sick"
At breakfast no one came to the
table. Then the cook ascended the
stairs, and finding a pair of boots out
side one door, knocked at it.
"Come in" said faint voice.
She went in, and the result of her
invertigation was telegram to the
doctor. Her master, who had always
been proud of not being vaccinated had
caught the smallpox.
you'd better go. You'll catch it,"
said he to her.
"I'm not afraid" said she. q" Some
body must stay, you know"
She stayed. AS he got better he re-
warded her-as convalescent men al
ways do reward their nurses-by scold-
ing her and finding fault with every
thing. She had helped the doctor to
save his life, and had done all that
mortal could do, but he snapped and
snarled at her.
One day, however, he, being well,
though still in quarantine, had some
vile concOtion brought him for his din
uer.
"What's this ?" he asked.
It's the best could do" said
Bridget, who, having been victim to
the disorder in her childhood, had no
fear of it. "Cook has gone off,"
"Where has she gomez" asked the
master.
ITO the hospital 7" said Bridget.
|" She did be getting the smallpox and
she went"
at wasn't for one Just out of a sick
bed to use the language the master did
after that" Bridget said, in relating
the incident.
But he was yet an invalid, and did
not know his cooks name.
She had never told it to him. He
tried in vain to dlsvOver her where
abouts, hut Bridget showed some saga
city. "The wages were owing, and the
trunk in the bedroom. Cook would
come back"
So "the master" waited; month
passed another week then another
then one evening some one rang the
bell.
"Cook is back and wants to see you,"
said Bridget.
1.-THE master " went into the parlor.
There sat the long absent woman. Her
hair had been cut short and curled up
about her temples but her complex
ion was not spoiled, though she was
thin and worn again.
"IVe come TO see whether you want
ed me to cook for you again, she said.
No." he answered.
Very well" said she.
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