South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-08-30

""N"s my uor' ytur- 4 nave plenty oil
cousins, you know, and We always had
Young ladies' going in and out of tue
house; but while Clara lived she was
company enough for me, AMI after she
died l was full OF business, and didn't
trouble myself abont matrimony. To
tell the truth, Jack. 1 didn't fancy the
girls. Perhaps WAS unfortunate in my
acquaintance; but they seemed to me
all curls and ilounces and furbclows.
and l would as soon have thought of
marrying a fashion plate rs one of these
elaborate creatures. don't object to
style; like it,. But you can see fine
gowns and bonnets any day in the Wash
ingtoa street windows; and my idea Of
woman is one whose dress is her least
attraction. ~
DO you reco'lect fathers former
partner, Adam Lane? He's a clever old
gentleman. and q millionaire, aud father
has the greatest respect and liking for
him. He has two daughters--one mar
ried wears ago; and the other, much
younger, father fixed upon as a dcsir-
able wife for me. l rather think the
two families had talked it over togcth-
err; At any rate Matilda came To Green
land for long summer visit. She is an
amiable girl. so petted and spoiled, that
she is absolutely good for nothing-un.
developed in mind and body. She look
ed very gay i'll the evenings. attircd in
the latest importations. But she was
always late ut breakfast; she didn't
dare ride on horseback, she couldn't
walk without stopping to rest on every
stone; and once when l asked her if
she had read the account Of the battle
OF Sedan, she looked up in her childish
way. and said, No, Mr. Foster. News.
papers arc so tiresome.' Bless mel
What should 1 have done with such
baby?
~ year ago this summer was very
much confined at the store and when
August came instead Of spending the
whole month ut home, thought | would
have little change. so went down for
a fortnight TO the Cliff House on -
Beach. II was q quiet pleasant res sort,
and you'll always find fifty or hundred
ipeoplo there during this season. The
landlord is good fellow, and distant
relative Of mine. / thought he looked
hurried when | went in, and after a few
minutes he took me to one side and said
rom, you've come at an unlucky
time. had a very good cook that cot
from Boston ut twenty dollars n week !;
but she's hi9h tempered woman. Last
| evening she quarreled with her assis-
tants this morning the breakfast was
all in confusion, and now she's packing
her trunk to leave by the next train
In two or three days | can probably get
another one ttown il, her place but what
we're TO do meanwhile / don't know
But Norton, said 1. isn't there some
one near by or in the house who can
take it?'
i doubt IT, he replied, I've half a
dozen girls from this vicinity doing IN
stairs work-oue Of them from your
town, the best waiter in the dining room.
But [ suppose al Of them would either
he afraid of the responsibility, or think
it beneath them to cook /; though they
would have plenty of help, and earn
twenty dollars where they now earn
three
WHO'S here from Grecnland?' I
asked, for knew something of almost
every one in that place.
Mary Ly ford
Mary Lyford2 a black eyed. lioht-
footed girl. about twenty years old, with
two brothers in Colorado. AMI her faith,
er farmer over toward Straham?'
Yes, the very same.'
why, she's the prctticst girl i'm Green.
lInd-at least thought SO two years
ago, when 1 danced with her ut the
| thanksgiving party in the village and
heard last fall that she took the prize
ut the Manchester fair for the best loaf
OF bread. Rut why is she here
oh. you know farmers haven't much
ready money, aud 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 | believe I'll 90 into the dining.
room and propose To give the cook 8
place to any one Of the girls who wou i'll
like it and who feels competent to Gil
it. Il must do Something and lookinu
at his watch lie went out.
Ten minutes later he came back, clasp.
ing his hands. and exclaimed:
Mary Lyford says she will try it,
'lurrah for Greenland !! cried +. Isn't
that plucky? BY Jovc, hopo she'll
succeed, and believe she will
You mustn't expect much to-day
said Norton. Things are MI topsy
turvy in the kitchen, and it'll take some
time to get them Strengthened out
Just then n new arrival claimed his
attention, and with a serener face Inc
turned away.
Dinner was poor that day; supper
was little better. And. in spite OF
Norton's caution, began 10 be afraid
that Greenland was going down. But
the next morning what a breakfast we
had ! Juicy steaks, hot potatoes, deli
cious rolls and corn bread, griddle
cakes that melted in your mouth and
coffee that lost no aroma in its making.
Thenceforth every meal was n triumph.
The guests praised tie table, and
fastened TO their seats at tho FIRST sound
Of the bell Norton was radiant with
satisfaction, and was az pleased as If
| had been the landlord or cook myself.