Smyrna times., 1881-09-14
The Mistakes Of a Day.

10 remember what?'' said Mr.. Mere
dith, with hopeless expression of insanity
on ms countenancc. Kate Meredith drop
ped both hands desparingly at her sides.
Charles" she exclaimed, "you don't
mean to say you have forgotten already "
My dear" said Mr. Meredith. fumbling
IN the depths of his overcoat pocket for
missing glove. . have not forgotten. but
don't exactly remember"
The oysters suggested his wife.
Oh, yes; the oysters" said Meredith.
And the two ounces of double zephyr"
Exactly"
And the depot hack to be waiting at .
O'Clock for your cousin from Philadelphia. :"
Mr.. Meredith slapped his hands Oh the
table. She is coming to-day, | declare
to goodness y he calculated.
"And a dozen Havana oranges for des-
sert, and two pounds of white grapes. and
some of those delicious little Naples
biscuit-Oh, and let them send up a Girl
from st. Clair's."
"A-which
\ girl, you goose. For general house
work. Phebe went home this morning
with faccachc, and can't be left alone
with company coming and all. Mind she's
a good cook and understands waiting at
table"
And Mr.. Meredith rushed Off to catch
the $50 express with Kaleidoscope conf1-
sion of grapes, zephyr wool, depot hacks.
oysters and servant maids carecring
through his brain, which BODIED i'll for Mrs.
Mcrediths domestic plans.
While that lady, elasping both hands
over her head in sort of tragic despair.
rushed down into the kitchen. where n
very good looking young man of two or
three and twenty was on his knees in
'front.' OF Il range, trying to coax a most un-
willing fire to huiu
"Well?' said he.
Tom,' cried she, Historically. "can
you make lobster salad?"
Like book" said Tom.
And coffee -
Il learned in Paris
Good. And | cun lGake huttcrmilk
biscuits and between us We can Get up a
decent lunch for a young lady from Phila-
delphla. As for dinner"
Well?" again remarked the Young man
with SCOT bcspangled nose.
Providence must provide" sighed the
matron.
There's an old chintz-colored rooster
IN the bamyard, !f ! could catch him Id
have chicken stew"
Tom, did you ever make chicken
stew"
No"
Then you do not know what you are
talking about" said the lady with some
aspcrity.
Yes do, too. Onions, potatoes celery,
pearl barley, with pinch of salt"
Nonsense" interrupted Mrs. Meredith.
3" Go pick that lobster out of its shell. and
leave off rOmancing. You are deal
better at poetry and newspaper sketches
than you are in tile kitchen; though to be
sure, with twinge of conscience. good
ness knows what should do without YOU
just at this particular emergency. vou
dear old darling
The lobster was only half picked out of
the shell, the buttermilk biscuit was still
unmiXcd, and Mrs. Meredith. with a
pocket handkerchief tied around her
pretty brown hair, was dusting the little
drawing room, when there came ring at
the door bell. She put the perturbed head
out of the window in a most uncercmo-
niOus manner.
"Who is there?' she demanded in a
high contralto.
" Does Mrs. Meredith live here?" retor-
ted woman's voice. And at the same
moment the young matrOn caught sight of
neat black leather bag, black alpaca
dress and shawl of the plainest Highland
plaid
=" It's the new girl, thank providencer'
said Mrs. Meredith, as she ran down stairs,
thanking honest Charlie in her heart for
his unexpected promptitude
Come in said she, opening the door
wide. I'm so glad that YOU are punctual,
my good girl, FROM the st. Clair's Intel
ligence 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"
She1ed the way down, followed by the |
new girl, whose countenance bore rather
bewildered expression.
What is your name ?" she asked pat
ronizingly.
My name? Oh, it's Martha" replied |
the stranger, in confusion.
Martha3" critically repeated Mrs.
Meredith, "What ugly name! think
l shall call you Pattie, Have you good
references9"
IL believe So"
81 think" said Mrs, Meredith, survey
ing her from top to toe, "you are little
overdressed for your situation; but of
course you have palmer clothes"
The stranger lifted pair of blue eyes
to the tall form girdled around with a
towel, who was vigorously wrestling with
the stupendous lobster at the table beyond.
"Do you keep man cook ?" asked the
girl,
Mrs Meredith drew herself up. "Cer-
tainly not. This is my brother, Mr..
Selwyn, who is kindly assisting me to
make u salad"
But he is not doing il right He will