The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-05-21
THE NEW GIRL.


ITO remember whatP" said Mr.. Mere.
dith, with a hopeless expression of in
sanity on his countenance. Kate Mere.
dith dropped both hands despairingly al
her Sides Es4.1,
.Char!esr' she exclaimed, '.you don'i
mean that you have forgotten alreadyP''
my dear" said Mr.. Meredith, fun.
bling in the depth of his overcoat
pocket for a missing glove, 81 may moi
have forgotten, but 1 don't exactly re-
member"
1.-THE oystersr' suggested his wife.
"Oh, yes, the oysters" said Mere
dith.
'.And the two ounces of double zephyr
scarlet wool.''
Exactly"
And the depot hack to be waiting at
two O'clock for your cousin from Phila-
delphia" iii
Mr. Meredith slapped one hand on the
table. s'She is coming to-day; l declare
to goodnessr' he calculated.
'And a dozen Havana oranges for
dessert, and two pounds of white
grapes and some of those delicious little
Naples biscuits and macaroons-oh.
and let them send up a girl from St
Clair's.''
"A--which?"
"a girl, you goose. For general
Homework. Phebe went home this
morning with face-ache, and CAM
be left alone with company coming and
all. Mind she's good cook and under
stands waiting at the table,"
And Mr.. Meredith rushed off to catch
the $3.50 express, with Kaleidoscope
confusion OF grapes, zephyrwool, depot
hacks, oysters and serving maids career
ing 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 de-
spair, rushed down into the kitchen.
where very good-looking young man
of two or three and twenty was on his
knees, in front of the range irving to
coax most unwilling fire to burn.
"Wellp" said he. &c
Tom,' cried she, Historically, scan
you make o lobster saladp''
Like q book" said Tom.
"And coffeeP"
:" | learned in Paris
GOOD. And 1 can make butter
milk biscuit-and between us, we can
get up decent lunch for a Young
lady from Philadelphia. AS for din,
ner--" fess .t
"WellP' again remarked the young
man with the soot-bespangled nose.
Providence must provide" sighed
the matron.
There's an old chintz colored
rooster in the barnyard. If / could
catch him I'd have chicken stew"
tom, did you ever make chicken
mo"
Then you do not know what Won
are talking about" said the lady, with
some asperity.
"Yes / do too. Onions, potatoes.
celery pearl barley, with pinch Of
Nonsenser' interposed Mrs. Mere
dlth: SEQ pick that lobster out of its
she'll, and leave off romancing. You
are deal better at poetry and news
paper sketches than you are in the
kitchen; though, to be sure,'' with q
twinge OF conscience, goodness knows
what should do without you Just at
this particular emergency, you dear old
darling"
The lobster was only half picked out
OF its shell. the buttermilk biscuit was
still unmixed, and Mrs. Meredith, with
pocket handkerchief tied around her
pretty brown hair, was busting the little
drawing room, when there came q ring
at the door bell. She put the perturbed
head out of the window in q most un-
ceremonious manner.
'.Who is there?' she demanded in a
high contralto.
Does Mrs. Meredith live herer' re-
tortcd woman's voice. And at the |
same instant the young matron caught |
sight of neat black leather BAG, a
black alpaca dress and shawl of the |
plainest Highland plaid.
It's the new girl, thank Providencer,
said Mrs. Meredith, as she ran down
the stairs, thanking honest Charlie in her
heart for his unexpected promptitude.
Come in." said she. opening the
door wide. II am so glad that you are
punctual. my good girl. From the
Glars intelligence bureau, suppose.
No. don't take off your things up here;
the servants room is down stairs; YOU
may as well come directly down to the
Kitchen.
She led the way down, followed by
the new girl, whose countenance bore
q rather bewildered expression.
What is your nameg" she asked
patronizingly.
My name? ., it's Martha" replied
the stranger, in confusion.
"MarthaF critically repeated Mrs.
Meredith. ssWhat an ugly name!
think | shall call you Patties Have you
good referencess" i,