Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-11-18
"MAID-OF-ALL-WORK."


she came down the narrow wooden staircase in
the little brown farmhouse that afternoon.
dressed In white muslin dress strewn all over
with tiny pink rosebuds, and fresh lace fril
around her neck, tied with pink ribbon. while
her pretty feet were buttoned into a new pair
of boots, with high French heels, and her hair
was curled In loose, glossy coils Of shining
bronze
'Ehl" said Granny Ramsay, looking up from
her everlasting knittlng-work, over which she
was half asleep; ''going to church. hey7"
1T isn't Sunday, grandma" explained the
girl laughing and coloring. I'm going to the
Tower. to see Miss Calhoun. She has often in
yited me there-she and Miss Bell"
"Pshaw." said Granny Ramsay, who was one
OF those venerable people privileged to speak
their mind on all occasions; ''what do the fine
city ladies at the Tower want of farmers
daughter like your"
But grandma, they've invited me!''
'lt reminds me" said grandma. shreYdly, ''of
the old story OF the iron pot and the china pot
swimming down stream together and they don't
nowise suit"
Rachel said no more, but escaped into the
shady lane, where the naples were beginning TO
turn pale yellow in the first September frOsts.
Grandma is always criticizing everybody, "she
thought. II know the ladies at the Tower will
be glad to see me- Miss Alice wants to sketch
my head for Elaine and Miss Bell asked me to
sing duets with her. She said had a voice like
lark. And perhaps Mr.. Harold Haroldson
will be there. For | know he often visits at the
house"
And Rachel smiled to herself, as she crossed
the rustic bridge and went throne h the woods to
the Tower fantastic wooden cottage with a
semi-Circuar 'front.' which was let for he summer
thereof pra fol in, q
brick structure in the village.
The little side door was open and Rachel went
in. From the left OF the passage-way q door
opened into the kitchen, and there, to her intin-
ite alnazement, she saw Miss Alice Calhoun her
sell, IN an esthetic dress of pale sage green and
roses in her hair, contemplating pair of decapi-
tated fowls which lay on the table.
Miss Alce," she explained.
us that you Rachel?" cried the city young
lady, bouncing on her, as a drowning man
pounces on the nearest floating straw ''Oh, |
never was so glad to see anybody in all my life.
These hOrrid hens, Bridget has gone away in a
rage because presumed to find fault with the
coffee this morning, and we have got company
to dinner, and haven't an idea how to get the
feathers OF these creatures. But now that you
are here, everything will be all right"
And she shook oil the big bib-apron, and step
ped back with sigh of relief.
Rachel looked perpleXed. She had come
there, not to enact the role OF the kitchen-maid
room and enjoy the conversation of her guests,
and she did not exactly relish this summary dis
miSsai to the kitchen.
There is soup stock went on Miss Alice,
and salad. and a delicate piece of halibut,
and with the fowls roasted and a PIE or a pud-
ding. or something which l dare say you can
make, we shall do very nicely. I'm particularly
anxious about the dinner, because we are to
have company You'll excuse me now, because
L have to dress"
And trim
ing as ever was Queen Cleopatra's self
Poor Rachel. she stood minute in the hot
Kitchen. the tears Sprnging to her eyes, q pang
OF disappointment at her heart. She knew all
about it. Harold Haroldson and MIR Dallas
were to dine there that day. and she-she was
TO be cook. waitress NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Sig
nied 1t what she called herself? She remembered
what grandma had said and for once i'm her life
gave that venerable old lady credit for discrimi-
nation.
There was no help for it. however. She tied
on the blb-apron, tucked the curls back of her
ears. and went to work to prepare the chickens
for the roasting pan, now and then pauslng to
brush away the round, bright tears which rolled
down her cheeks.
These young ladies evidently intended to
make her useful She might have known that
they cid, beforehand. She could hear the soft
sound of Bell CaihOun's guitar; the sweet sub
dued tinkle of Alice's laughter; the deep mono
tonous undercurrent of gentlemens voices: and
then she glanced down at, her pretty muslin
dress and bows of pink ribbon, and began to
think that Miss Calhoun had taken an unfair
advantage of her.
III she could only have heard the rapid and en-
ergetic collOquy which TRANSFERRED between the
two sisters in their dressing-roOm, when first
Alice came up stairs. she would perhaps have
better cOmprehended the drift OF things
Good news" Miss Calhoun had cried way
Ing her scented Northumberland in the air.
I've got girl in the kitchenI''~
NO" said Miss Bell, fair-haired cream
complexioned damsel with pale blue eyes, and
perpetual smile.
Rachel Ramsey" nodded Alice. ''came ND
here In her best bib and tucker, to spend the
day. of course / confiscated her at once"
The bold. pushing thing" said Bell, with q
disdainful gesture.
''she's a deal too pretty to bring into the draw
lng-roOm for HarOldsOn and Armine Dallas to
fiirt with" added Miss Alice knowingly. .sAnd
don't see any way that could have avoided it.
If it hal not been tor those lucky chickens, and
Bridgets fortunate fit of temper. Make haste,
now; they'll be here in a minute. And know
little Rachel is frst-class cook, for I've been
there to tea"
SO the young ladies Of the Tower were enjoy
ing the feast of reason and the flow of soul in
their cool drawing-rOOm with books, new-rath-
cred roses and blue-rbbOned guitars. while poor
hacnei Ramsey was brOiling in the kitchen over
peach tarts and Neapolitan creams.
She had forgotten her disappointment; but.
artist-like, she had thrown herself into her oc-
cupation with engrOSSing interest and she was
stirring the creams with quick, energetic
hand, when step crossed the threshold
Here are some fresh trout, Bridget, to sur
prise your mistress" said clear voice
And to her infinite amaZenient Harold Har-
Oldson stood before her, in his hunting cos
tune. with fishing rod lightly balanced on his
shoulder.
I'm not Bridget" said the girl, laughing,
but still stirring on. Tin Rachel"
Miss Ramsey" he exclaimed. lifting his cap.
How in the name Of all that is wonderful came
you here?"
And then. not without humor. Rachel detailed
the manner and incidents of her capture.
Il am the maid-Of-all-work, if you please"
she said with courtesy.
Then let me help yOu," said HarOldson,
briskly tying second bib apron around his
hunting suit. II used to be pretty good hand
at spider and gridiron when camped out on
Lake Capsuptic, up in Maine"
But you're not engaged" said Rachel half
pleased, half frightened
IL can volunteer" observed the young man.
''Give me the oil and vinegar. and YOU viii see
what dressing, a la mayonnaise, can provide
for that salad OF yours
And If q pair of cooks ever SDent daiobtf,l