The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-08-10
.MAID-OF-ALL-WORK. }; ;

"MAID-0F.ALL-WORK."
Rachel Ramsay looked very pretty,
indeed, as she came down the narrow
wooden staircase of the little brown farm
house, that afternoon, dressed in a white
Hmuslin dress. strewn all over with tiny
3pnk rosebuds, and a fresh lace frill
asvand her neck. tied with pink ribbon,
while her pretty feet were buttoned into
8sneW pair of boots, with high, French
heels, and her hair was curled in loose,
3dossy coils of shining bronze.
sEhp' said Granny Ramsay, looking
% from her everlasting knitting-work.
over which she was half-asleep; "goin'
Dchurch, hey?''
ut isn't Sunday, grandma ex-
lsined the girl, laughing and coloring.
Finn going to the Tower. to see Miss
Calhoun. She has often invited me there
she and Miss Bell.''
"Pshawr' said Granny Ramsay. who
Eas one of those venerable people priv
bged to speak their minds on all occa-
hons; what do the fine city ladies at the
Iower want of a farmers daughter like
ous''
@But, grandma, they We invited me.,'
at reminds me,'' said grandma,
hrewdly, ssof the old story of the iron
bot and the china pot swimming down
stream together; and they didn't nowise
sut.''
Rachel said no more, but escaped out
hio the shady lane, where the naples
we're beginning to turn pale yellow in
the first September frosts.
Grandma is always criticising every
body, 2 shethought. II know the ladies
at the Tower will be glad to see me.
Miss Alice wants to sketch my head for
4 Haine,' and Miss Bell asked me to sing
duets with her. She said Ihad voice
ike a lark. And perhaps Mr.. Harold
Haroldson will be there! ForI know he
often visits at the house,
And Rachel smiled to herself, as she
crossed the rustic bridge and went
through the woods to the Tower, fam
lastic wooden cottage with semi-cir-
eular front, which was let for the sum-
mer, the owner thereof preferring to live
ma square brick structure in the village.
The little side door was open and Ra-
ehel went in. From the left of the pas
ase.way, adoor opened into the kitchen,
adthere, to her infinite amazement, she
NV Miss Alice Calhoun herself. in an
ssfhetic dress of pale sage-green, and
'oses in her hair, contemplating pair
aecapitated fowl which lay on the
hhle.
Miss Aliceiar' she exclaimed.
is it you, Rachel a'' exclaimed the
siF young lady, pouncing on her, as a
apEning man pounces on the nearest
aeaang straw. so, [ never was so |
glsd 70 see anybody in all my life! These |
a0ind hens Bridget has gone away in
alsse because presumed TO find fault |
s1h the coffee, this morning, and we
hse company to dinner, and haven't
= iaea how to get the feathers of these
ueatures But now that you are here,
s'erything viii be right p
ana she took of the big bib-apron,
'aa stepped back, with sigh of relief.
Mcnel looked perplexed. She had
ume there. not to enact the role of |
Menen maid, butto visit Miss Calhoun,
"s'I IN her drawing room and enjoy the
saasersation of her guests. and She did
y 4 exactly relishthis summary dismissal
NJ. ihere IS no soup Stock went on
;ss Ailce, and salad, and delicate
ss rses o. halibut, and with the fowls
@. @ss'e'i, and pie or pudding, or sone-
winch dare say you can make,
-, Y sasll do very nicely. I'm particu-
8 ~ ANXIOUS about the dinner, because
NJ u ss s @ have company. You'll excuse
.9W' because / have to dress ?
,.a ana Y away tripped Miss Alice, selfish
assss n,a ssMllng as ever was Queen Cleo
]. reor Racheli She stood 4 m;n,,te. II
l. les Kitchen, the tears springino to
d bssss. b,es. . pang of disappointment at
n IsaFs; She knew all about it. Har-
III saroiuson y and Mr.. Dallas were to
al aefe a that day, and she--she was
shss sook, waitress, maid-of-all-work-
~ slgnilied it what she called herselfp
a ss nembered what grandma had said,
IL = Z, once in her life gave that vener-
Baaay credit for discrimination
IS Wy ~ was no help Tor it, however.
tur|s ~ M on the bib-apron, tucked the
onrssaacA sacA q her ears, and went to work
pan paIe the chickens for the roasting
IN, M INV and then pausing to brush
das, 1ae round bright tears which rolled
IN her cheeks. l'en ioAieo
u & e. young ladies evidently intend
hovn aas ths. ner useful. She might have
: aat they did, BEFOREHAND. S She |,