The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-04-21

my ideal of a woman was one whose
dress was her least attraction.
''Do you recollect fathers former
partner, Adam Lane? He's clever old
gentleman and millionaire, and father
has the greatest liking and respect for
him. He has two daughters-one mar
ried years ago; and the other, much
younger, father fixed upon as desirable
wife for Inc. l rather think the two
families had talked it over together; at
/ any rate Miss Matilda came to Greenland
for long summer visit. She is an amia-
BILE girl, but so petted and spoiled that
she's good for nothing-undevelop in
mind and body. She looked very gay
in the evenings attired in Jordan, Marsh
& Co.'S latest importation. But she
was always late at breakfast, she didn't
dare to ride horseback, she couldn't take
a walk without stopping to rest Mt every
stone; and once when asked her if she
had read the battle of Sedan, she looked
up in her childish way, and said No,
Mr.. Foster. Newspapers are so tire
some Bless me! what should 1 have
done with such baby?
A year ago this summer l was very
much confined at the store; and, when
August came, instead of spending the
whole month at home, Il thought would
have a change, and so l went down for
fortnight to the Cliff House, on
Beech. It's a quiet, pleasant resort, and
you'll always find from fifty to one hun
dred people there during the season.
The landlord is good fellow and dis
tant relative of mine. l thought he
looked flurried when l went in, and after
a few minutes he took me to one side
and said:
'Fom you've come in an unlucky
time. l had q very good cook, that 1
got from Boston, at 1920 a week; but
she's a high tempered woman. Last
evening she quarrelled with her assist
ants, this morning the breakfast was all
in confusion, and now she is packing her
trunk to leave on the next train. In
two or three DAYS l can probably get
another one down in her place; but
what we're to do meanwhile | don't
know"
'But, Norton" said l, ''isn't there
some one near by or in the house who
can take it,"
81 doubt it. 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 l sup
pose 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 $50 where
they now get three"
''WhOs here from Greenland" / ask
ed for 1 knew something of nearly every
one in the place. --
Mary Lyford."
MARY Lyford? A black eyed, little
footed girl, about twenty years old, with
two brothers in Colorado and her father
a farmer over toward Stratham?'
"Ges, the very same"
'Why, she's the prettiest girl in Green
land, at least thought so two years ago,
when danced with her at the Thanks
giving party in the village; and heard
last fall that she took the prize at the
Manchester fair for the best loaf of bread.
But why is she hereY"
''Oh, You know farmers havn't much
ready money, and suppose she wanted
to earn something for herself and come
to the beach like the rest of us. You
say she took the premium for her bread.
l believe I'll 60 into the dining room and
propose to give cooks place to any of
the girls who would like it and who feels
competent to take it. 1 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 Ayford says she'll try it,"
''Hurrah for Greenland" cried l.
'1sn't that plucky9 By Jove! | hope
she'll succeed and believe she will"
"You mustn't expect much to-day"
said Norton. Things are all topsy
turyy in the kitchen, and it'll take some
time to get them Strengthened out"
Just then new arrival claimed his
attention, and with a sereper face he
turned away.
Dinner was poor that day, supper was
little better. And, in spite of Norton's
caution, began to be afraid that Green
land was going down. But the next
morning what a breakfast we had
juicy steak, hot potatoes, delicious rolls
and corn bread, griddie cakes that melt
ed in your mouth, and coffee that had
lost none of the aroma in the making
Thenceforth every meal was q triumph.
The guests praised the cook and hasten
ed to the table at the first sound of the
bell. Norton was radiant with satisfac-
ton, and | was as pleased as if had
been landlord or cook myself. Several
times l sent my compliments and con-
gratulations to Mary; 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 a young lady of the Matilda
Lane stamp to her mamma, when saw
Mary standing on the piazza. Invent out
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 we
were all suited, and then Norton came
up and expressed h,s entire qualification
with what she had done. As she stood
there In a white pique dress, with scar
let bow at her throat, and her dark hair
neatly arranged, she looked every inch
a lady.
do me the favor, Miss Lyford, :" said
l, Ito DANCE the nekt cotillion With me- +"
''Ah, Mr.. Foster" she replied, looking
archly at Norton, ''that isn't expected
of the help"
'The helplu l said, Indignantly.
t.fou are the queen of the establish
Il