The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-07-10

coming uuu dll pIluu suC . 6oou Sooh "uN
understands waiting at table"
And Mr.. Meredith rushed off to catch the
$50 express, with Kaleidoscope confusion
of grapes, zephyr wool. depot hacks oysters
and servant maids careering through his brain,
which bodied i'll for Mrs Meredith's domestic
plans.
While that lady, clasping both hands over
her head in sort Of tragic despair, rushed
down into the kitchen, where very good
looking young man of two or three and TWEEN
ty was ON his knees in front OF the range try.
ing TO coax most unwilling fire to burn.
"Well ?" said he
Tom cried she, HISTORICALLY, "can you
make lobster salad''
Like book" SAID Tom.
"And coftee"
II learned IN Paris"
Good. And l can make buttermilk bis
cuit-and between us, we can get up decent
lunch for young lady from Philadelphia. AS
for dinner"
"Wells" again remarked the young man
with the sootbesmudged nose.
Providence must provide" sighed the
matron.
There's an old chintz-colorcd rooster in the
barnyard. If could catch him, ld have a
chicken'stew."
III,
NO"
Then you do not know what you are talk.
ing about" SAID the lady, with some asperly.
ayes | do, too. Onions, potatoes, celery,
pearl barley, with pinch Of salt and"
"Nonsensew isterposcd Mrs Meredith go
pick that lobster out of its shell, and leave off
romancing. You are deal better at poetry
and newspaper sketches than you arc IN the
kithen; though to be sure" with twinge of
conscience, goodness knows what | should
do without you just in this particular emer-
gency, you dear old darling"
The lobster was only half picked out Of Its
she'll the buttermllk biscuit was still unmixed,
and Mrs Meredith, with a pocket-handker.
chief tied around her pretty brown hair, was
busting the little drawing-room, when there
came ring at the door-bell. She put the tur-
baned head out of the window in most uD.
CeremOniOus manner.
"Who is there?' she demanded in high con.
tralto.
docs Mrs. Meredith live here ~ retortcd a
womans voice. And the same instance the
young matron caught sight of neat black
leather bag, black alpaca dress, and shawl
Of the plainest Highland plaid
Meredith, rs she ran down the stairs, thanking
honest Charlie In her heart for his unexpected
promptitude
Come In" said she, opening the door wide,
Il am go glad yon are punctual, my good girl,
From the st. Glars Intelligence Bureau,
suppose. No. don't take off your things up
here; the servants room Is below stairs; you
may MS well come directly down to the kitch
en-"
She led the way down, followed by the new
glr those countenance bore rather Devil
dc expression.
hat is your name:" she asked, patronlz'
Iy name? Oh, it's Martha" replied the
stranger, in some confusion.
"Marlhaw critically repeated Mrs. Mere
dth, What an ugly name! think shall
call you Pattie. Have you good references"
"l-belieye So"
81 think" SAID Mrs Meredith, surveying
her from tip to toe you are little overdress'
ed Tor your station, Pattie; but of course you
have some palmer clothes IN your trunk, when
il COmes?'
to the tall form, girded around with a towel,
who was vigorously wrestling with the claws
OF stupendous lobster at the table beyond.
DO you keep man cook y" asked the girl.
Mrs. Meredith drew herself up. Certainly
not. This is my brother, Mr.. Selwyn, who Is
kindly assisting me to make salad"
but he is not doing it right He will new.
or get meat out of the shell in that way. Let
me show you, Mr.. Selwin,"
And with def fingers she loosened the lus.
Cious white fibre from the scarlet shell in a
manner that made Mr.. Selwn cry Bravo
And now, Pattie, | will show you where
the things are and leave you to get up as nice
lunch as you can for $50 o'clock; We are
expecting my husbands cousin from Phila-
delphia | want everything in perfect order"
Il will finish the salad" said Tom, who
had secretly been observing the pretty face and
tnm figure Of the new domestic, now that
have commenced IT. But you need not look
perturbed, Paitle il that is your name. will
be careful not to get in your way. And you
ask my sister If am not handy sort of a
fellow around the kitchen"
Kate shook her head surrepttiously at Tom
behind the screen, but he resolutey affected
not to perceive the warning gesture.
Half an hour ai,erward he came up to the
dlningroom, where Mrs. Meredith was ar.
ranging her best lilac and gold china.
Kate, she is a jewel. A gem OF the first
watLrl Depend upon 1t, she has not always
worked in the kitchen. quoted Shakespeare
aprOpos of something or other, | do not re
member what, and she recognized the grand
old words at once-her eyes frightened, and
you should have seen the color come into her
checks"
Quoting Shakespeare to common kitchen
girl" cried Mrs. Meredith, IN amazement
But | tell you, she is not a common kitch
en- girl"
Il don't believe IN high life below stairs,
said bis sister dlsdaintully
The lunch came up at $50 in perfect order
but 40 cousin from Philadelphia arrived, Il,
hack rolled up to the door
How provoking" said Kste. Miss Mere
di n must nave missed some connecting train
Charlie will be 80 vexed. But, however. I %
not so much mind company coming in At any
time, How that have got an excellent girl "
The dinner Of dclicately roasted quails an,
rabbit fricasse. with desert of custard anc
jelly, was duly served at precisely o'cloci.
at which hour Mr. Meredith bounced IN, 10
and flushed with the haste be had made
Where is shes' cried he.