The Delaware ledger., 1883-08-25
looked over the wants in daily paper.
One struck my fancy in particular, and
| at once determined to answer It:


wear the mourning Harold would not
have wished it-and called at the adj
dress given. There was an appalling
array of women in the vestibule of the
large house which / entered. The SER
want seemed puzzled when she answered
my ring, as to what was until said:
"I came to answer your advertise
ment."
She understood, and seated me beside
a fat Irish woman, who looked upon my
diminutive figure with unmistakable
scorn.
One by one they went up stairs and
one by one they came down again.
Judging by their faces, the interviews
were not satisfactory. Feeling my
courage take flight, at length assembled
the stairway and was ushered into the
presence of the lady of the house. She
was a handsome woman of 40, with a,
look of WEAKNESS and vexatien on her
face. Near the window in an easy
chair, sat man of perhaps 30, whose
face indicated that he was recovering
from severe illness.
An expression of surprise crossed
Mrs. Davidson's face as she asked
"Did you answer my advertisement
for a first-class cookp ?"
eyes, ma'am," replied, 81 think
could please you"
"But-I beg your pardon--you do
not look like cook"
felt my face flush as 1 answered
One need not be less of a lady be-
cause one is cook"
"No," doubtfully. Have you ever
been in service 2''
"No, madam answered; "but
l can give you testimonials as to charac'
ter, and should be glad to prove to
you that l can cook. Please do not
Think added eagerly, interpreting
the perplexed look ON her face, ''that
because was not born in that station
of life that shall expect to be treated
differently from any other servant.
Being compelled to earn my living, l
have chosen this in preference to any
other method. Will you look at my
letters ?" offering two or three.
She took them and crossing the room
gave one or two to the gentleman by
the window, who had not seemingly
been listening to the conversation.
Evidently the letters were satisfactory,
for after a few low-toned remarks,
Mrs. Davidson returned to me, saying !;
81 will try you. My nephew is just
recovering from a fever, and l shall
want you to exert your utmost skill in
his behalf"
Ringing the bell she ordered the ser
want who answered, to take me to the
kitchen, adding
"You may tell whoever calls hereaf-
ter that have engaged cook"
81 followed the girl to the kitchen,
and shortly after Mrs. Davidson ap-
peared and gave orders for dinner, in
forming me that should have to as.
sist in waiting upon the table when
there was company that my wages
would be $12 month, and that she
would send the coach mi an to my board
ing house that night for my trunk.
Then began strange life for me,
] yet / was not unhappy. / mourned
, my husband, grieved over my aliena
, tion from my father but l gave salts
5 faction to my employer, because
could cook TO perfection.
] OF course had no friends. Th'
0 other servants locked upon me as |
t rara avis, but managed to secur
their good will. By feeding my EN-
q ployers well gained their esteem al
so, and having been there six months
9 Mrs. Davidson one day told me tina
b she had never known what it was t.
f live until 1 came to her. l did no
o presume on my education, or the fac
f that / was lady so if Mrs. Davidson
had felt doubtful, as know she did
l. regarding the expediency of employin
It 'lady help" she had found her doubt
|. groundless. l attended strictly to NJ
e work.
So the time passed until l had bee
y cook for year. 1 had been required
W perhaps dozen times, to serve tn
E. dinner l had cooked, and those wei
I. the only times had seen the grey eyt
e. of Mr.. Temple Mrs. Davidson
le uephew-who had entirely reeovere
N ON the regimen of good food 1 had pr
ID pared for him.
as One day Mrs. Davidson came dow
y, stairs and said
e, ''Mrs. Howard, am going to gi'
ny dinner next Wednesday, and yC
II. must do your best, for 1 expect Va
RI ued friend from the east, whom l esp
lie cially wish to honor.
did my best, and the dinner serv
W. at 8 O'Clock would have tempted kin
IL When it was time / went in wi
le- the cream, but l nearly dropped t
as tray carried, for at the right of t
hostess sat my father, Judge Dellail
ra- Strong man that he was, he grew VIII
,k- to the lips as he sprang to his feet, CT
ny ing
en- "Madge, Madge My daughter"
an Chauncey Temple, grasping the sit
lld alton more readily than the others, to
led the tray from my hands, thereby S;
for ing some lovely Dresden china fr,
rk- destruction, and moment later l v
au,,;,,c, L., NM 70 athariS arms