Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-07-07
TIL, NEW COOK.
An English story, for the Exclusive
IBcncfit of the Falrer Sex,

and send me cook The new girl is
good for nothing, and the old one cant
do everything Young or old, man or
woman, don't care only send me up a
competent cook by ten o'clock this morn
ing"
"Don't look SO desperate, sis I'll re-
member it. l want things i'll pretty good
style for Maxwell he is used to it's
fond of good dinners and guess I'll
send YOU n good smart cook, Emma
Mr. Thomas Maye disappeared with re-
assuring nod. He had proverbially bad
memory pretty Emma Maye knew it
very well, yet in this desperate emergen-
cy she trusted him.
During the two years she had had
charge Of her widowed brothers family
they had been blessed with the most skill
full of cooks but Joan had taken fancy
to get married, and her place was hastily
supplied by one who soon proved incapa-
bile.
Just at this iuncturc Mr. Maye received
tidngs that his dead wife's favorte broth
or, Arthur Maxwell, Just returned from
abroad. would pay Inn visit. From the
first Emma had been nervous over the
responsibility Of entertaining this ele-
giant young man, whom she had never
Nen. She WAS lovely and accomplished;
Int she could not cook-in fact she had
never tried.
1t was 40 O'Clock when Mr.. Maye
went to town. lie took nothing but II
cup of coffee at I o'clock, aud lunched at
his favoritc restaurant at II o'clock. At
$40 o'clock the Mayes dined, and Mr.
Maxwell was expected by the $3.50 o'clock
train
"Theie," sighed Emma, when, two
hours after her brothers departure, the
hunse was in its usual exquisite order
and the viands and flowers sent up for
dinner ''if Tom doesn't forget, and if
he sends up II cook, everything will be
nice enough.
She did not dare think of the possibi-
lily of Toms having forgotten, or that Of
the cook not coming for any other reason ;
but when, precisely at ten o'clock, the
door-bell rang II secret Weight was lifted
from her heart. She ran herself to an
swcr the summons. A medium sized,
wcll-dressed, modest looking young man
stood at the entrance and she frightened
nj the sight of him.
"a am very glad You are 50 punctual /;
i was afraid | should be disappointed,
Sic said, leading the way to the kitchen
without an instant's delay "Lct me see
ten o'clock. shall have to set you at
work ut once TO prepare Il tirst-class din
ncr. We are expecting company from
London, my cook has left me, and | do
not myself know anything about cooking.
What is your name?' literally bereaving
the Young man of his nat and hanging it
rs high ont of his reach as possible.
His reply was rather faint, but she
thought she caughtit
Mac? You do not look like an Irish
man. But it doesn't make any difference.
Are you n good cook?'
The smile OF the young man was rather
puz2ling. ''l'll do my best he said
pleasantly.
''You see there's nothing in the house
but cold chicken" continued Emma, un
consciously wringing her little hands az
she continued to address the new cook
who certainly listened very attentively
"But my brother has sent up some pige
ons-to be roasted, / suppose"
'Yes'm
"Can you make celery salad ?"
81 think can.
"And Mayonnaise saucc for the col,
chirken?"
"Yes'm.
Can you make French soup?'
81 can"
''Oh, we'll, think You will do (be
ginning to look relieved).
''Be sure the vegetables are not oveI
done, and the coffee good-my brother i
very particular about his coffee And W
Will have n Florcntinc pudding?' with n
inquiring look
"Yes'm, readily.
"The new cook was already girdin
himself with one of the white towels thu
lay on the dresser, and casting scrutin
i2ing glance ut the range fire.
Quite reassured in spirit, Emma wa
turning when she stopped to add
81 will lay the table myself to-day
Mae and fiji the fruit dishes and vases
but if You give satisfaction | will cntru.
you with the key of the china closet, an
You will have the entire care of the tt
BILE"
And with gracious nod the youn
lady withdrew from the kitchen.
She piled the fruit dishes with ros
pears, golden oranges and white grapes
filled the vases with roses, lilies and ferns
set clusters Of dainty glasses filled wit
amber jelly among the silver and chini
and then, with IL sigh of satisfaction {
the result, ran away to dress.
"lll not go near the kitchen to eve
smell the dinner. | don't know anythin
about cooking it and will trust to luck.
have an idea that Mac is really capable
ia going to prove treasure. His dres
was SO neat and he was SO quiet and +,
apectful, concluded Emma, leisurely n
ranging her hair.
Her new dress, with its abundant lac
and cardinal ribbons, was very becomii
and fitted the petite, round figure so pc
fectly that Emma felt at peace with Il
the world.
81 have heard that Mr. Arthur Ma
well is very fastidious in the matter
ladies' dress, unused Emma, twisting h
head over her shoulder to see the effect
her SASH 81 wonder what his first il
preston of me will be? should like
have poor Ally's brother like me-"
AT length the last bracelet was claspe
the last touch given, and retiring bac
wards from the mirror with Il radiant fac
Emma turned and ran up to the nurse
to see the children dressed for compan
and also to speak with the boys-and,
must be confessed, tiirt little with M
Vincent, the tutor, who was always at II
service for this exercise.
There was delightfully."- savory cd
pcryading the house, when she came doy
and set out the wine and ice, and made
few additions to the table.
She looked at her watch-3:O5. TIL,
she went softly to the end of the ha
and listened to the lively olatter in L
kitchen. She could near Mac chattil
pleasantly with the little housemai
Nanny, and all seemed to be well in til
direction.
At3.1O she repaired to the drawn
room and took seat overlooking t
street.
Carriages came, and carriages went, b
none of them stopped at the entrance.