The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-09-13
MAKING HERSELF USEFUL.

MAKING HERSELF USEFUL.
Rachel Ramsey looked very pret
tv indeed as she came down the
narrow wooded staircase of the little
brown farmhouse that afternoon
dressed in white muslin dress
strewn all over with tiny pink rose
buds. and fresh lace frill about hel
neck, tied with pink ribbon, while
her pretty feet were buttoned into q
new pair of boots, with hight french
heels. and her hair was curled in
loose, glossy coils of shining bronze.
"Ehl" said Granny Ramsey, look,
inc up from her everlasting knitting
work. over which she was half a
sleep; going to church, hey?'
at isn't Sunday, grandma, ex-
planned the girl, laughing and col
oring. I'm going to the Tower to
see Miss Calhoun. She has often
invited me there-she and Miss Bell.
"Pshawln said Granny Ramsey,
who wes one of those venerable peo-
pie priviledged to speak their minds
on all occasions; what do the fine
city ladies at the Tower want of a
farmers daughter ike you?'
But. grandma, they've invited
me-"
1T reminds me-" said grandma,
shrewdly, "of the old story OF the
iron pot and the china pot swim
ming down stream together; and
they didn't no wise suit.
Rachel said no more but escap-
ed out into the shady lane, where
the naples were beginning to turn
pale yellow in the first September
frosts.
Grandma is always criticising
everybody" she thought. Il know
the ladies at the Tower viii be glad
to see me. Miss Alice wants to
sketch my head for Elaine and
Miss Bell asked me 10 sing duets
with her. she said had voice
like a lark. And perhaps Mr.. Har.
old Haroldson will be there For |
know he often visits the house"
And Rachel smiled to herself as
she crossed the rustic bridge and
went through the woods to the Tow
er, fantastic wooden cottage with a
semi-circular front, which was let
for the summer, the owner thereof
preferring to live in square brick
structure in the village.
The little side door was open and
Rachel went III. From the left OF
the passage way door opened into
the kitchen and there TO her infinite
amazement she saw Miss Alice Cal
houn herself in an aesthetic dress Of
pale sage green, and roses in her hair
contemplating Il pair of decapitaied
fowls which lay on the table.
Miss Alice y she exclaimed.
is it you, Rachel :" cried the city
young lady, pOuncing on her rs Il
drowning man pounces on the near
est floating straw. ''Oh !. wa never
so glad 70 sea anyhody in ali my
life These horrid hens, Bridget
has gone away and all because |
presumed to find fault with The cof-
fee this morning, and We have com
pany for dinner. aud | haven't an
idea how TO get the feathers oil these
creatures. But NOW tiat yua are
here everything Will be bright" "
And she took off the bic bib apron
and stepped back with + sign OF re-
lief.
Rachel looked pcrplexed, She
had come there not to enact the roli
of kitchen maid. but TO visit Miss
Calhoun, to sit il her drawing room
and enjoy the conversation of her
guests. and she did not exactly rel
ish the summary dismissal to the
kitchen.
"There is soup stock" went Oh
Miss Alice, and a salad, aud deli
cate piece of halibpt, and With the
;ogl roasted and i piece Of pie or
pudding or something which ! dare
Say you can make, We shall do very
nicely. I'm particularly anxious
about the dinner because we are to
have company. YoE'il excuse me
now, because | have to dress"
And away tripped Miss Alice, sell
fish and smiling as ever was Queen
Cleopatra herself.
Poor Rachel She stood a minute
in the hot kitchen, the tears spring.
ing into her eyes, pang OF disap-
pointment at her heart. She knew
all about il. Harold Haroldson and
Mr.. Dallas were to dine there that
day, and she-she was to be cook,
waitress, maid OF all work-what
signified it what she called herself.
She remembered what granhma' had
said, and for once in her life gave
that venerable old lady credit fol
dlscrlminauol.
! There was no help for it, howev-
er. She tied on the bib apron, tuck.
ed the curls back Of her ears and
went to work TO prepare the chick
ems for the roasting pan, now and
then pausing to brash away the
round, bright tears which rolled
down her cheeks.
These young ladies evidently in.
tended making her useful. She
might have known that they did be.
forehand. She could hear the sweet
sound CT Bell Calhoun's guitar; the
sweet, subdued tinkle of Alice's
laughter; the deep monotous under
l.,