Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-01-29
pretty wife, a good cook, and dear old
Frank to sit at my board. Do you know
he has had a. call here-

pretty wife, a good cook, and dear old
Frank to sit at my board. Do you know
he has had call here
"Of course he will accept it " inter-
rupted Mrs. Jones: cit is a shame for
man Of his talent to bury himself in an
obscure village
"Of course he will. I wrote to him
that would show him perfect house
tomorrow, Mrs. Jones. So be prepared
for explorations Of all your premises;
every water pipe will be examined. OF
course they are always spotlessly clean,
but thought would warn you-and-
keep your pretty cook out of way, for
I want Frank to think Mrs. Jones the
prettiest woman in the house, at any
rate"
The next day dawned bright and clear.
Polly looked wistfully out of the case
ment window of the house in Twenty.
fifth street. She would have liked to
join the throug Of richly-dressed people
crowding to hear the new minister, called
to the church around the corner.
The dinner hour was five, so she could
have found time to 60, but since she had
been serving in her new capacity it was
only by great effort that she compelled
herself to go out to buy necessary cloth.
ing. She watched little Mrs. Jones trail
down the steps in an elegant velvet walk
ing suit, leaning on her husbands arm.
Polly wiped mist from her eyes, and,
concluding the front window was not
good for her, she went back to the
kitchen and warbled little song to cheer
herself. And the canary in his cage took
up the song, and no harsh voice silenced
them. The poor child always comforted
herself with the thought that her present
mental position was only temporary; she
only assumed it until she could find some
other way to make living. Mrs. Jonse
was very sweet and kind, kinder than
any one she had lived with during the
year. She really had something to be
thankful for.
Feeling that she must not indulge in
repining on such day, Polly summoned
her brightest thoughts, and even dim
pie or two peeped out as she thought of
that happy morning over the pies, and
Of her absurd mistake a year ago.
II suppose he and Melissa are mar
ried long since. Oh! if I could only hear
n1m speak once mOre!
The morning slipped away, and Polly
was surprised when she heard them COM
ing home from church.
Again she was making pumpkin pies.
Mrs. Jones had said: ooh! do you
make good old-fashioned pumpkin pies
Mr.. Jones thinks there is nothing more
delicious, and know he would like to
have some"
So now the new cook stood beside the
table with her curls tucked under a
somewhat coquettish little cap, long,
demure apron on, and her sleeves rolled
up. Presently she heard steps and
laughing voices in the passage, the door
opened, and she looked up surprised,
with her sitter in her hands. Mrs.
Jones was holding her long velvet skirt
around her, and saying: "Tom is such
q goose; he thinks nobody ever had such
house, and he will drag you from gar
ret to cellar. I hope you don't mind"
Receiving no answer, she turned and
looked at her guest. He was standing
in front Of Polly, who, crimson and trem-
bling, was letting the flour dribble down
on the floor. "Can it be possible!' he
said, huskily; can it be possible that
have found you! I had almost lost hope. "
And right there, before the astonished
eyes of MI. and Mrs. Jones, the houry
arms of their new cook went round the
minister's neck, and she was sobbing on
his immaculate coat. ''But aren't you
married to Melissa % came from the
depths of the coat. The minister smiled
at this well-timed question.
81 have never contemplated such 8
thing for moment he answered; 81
have never loved any one but you, Polly
since the morning I overheard your aunt
abusing you, and caused you to put
pepper in the pies. You bore it all sc
meekly and patiently that, though ha6
only admired you before, I loved you
| from that moment
"Isn't it the most romantic thing Vol
ever heard of?" said little Mrs. Jones
that nj ght to her husband ''Just thinl
of our cook marrying Frank" and sh'
laughed gleefully. ''But she was Away
such darling, T felt like kissing her tn
first time saw her. She shall be mar
ried from here, and the parsonage is eve
SO much handsomer than this house,
81 think it is the most charming
thing that ever occurred"
Tom, selfish man, made wry face
IT can't say I am altogether delighted
Some other woman might have suite.
him just as well, and I am afraid we cal
never find another cook that can max
such glorious pumpkin pies.