The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-02-20

good plain cook, situation to do household
work in a small family country preferred. Ad-
dress NJ p, Advertiser Office, Boston"
Well, the answers fairly poured in. 1t
seemed as though all womankind had
been waiting for an American girl who
is good plain cook" but Molly resolved
to be critical, and waited. In the mean
time, seeing that way was open, she
dressed herself in her best and went shop
ping on Saturday afternoon. She chose to
patronize Rush & Crush, where her high
and mighty airs gave unbounded satisfac-
ton to the clerks, with whom she was a
great favorite. She sailed up to the print
counter with great dignity, turned the
goods over, pulled the corners crosswise,
after the fashion of women choppers, de-
precated the patterns, ETC., but finally
bought print enough for three dresses,
gingham for aprons, ETC., to the amount OF
three dollars, and counted out with great
majesty the three trade dollars.
"Oh, Molly, you know we can't take
them," said the clerk. Molly turned to
Mr.. Rush, who, saunteripg along with his
eyes on the other side of the store, was
taking in the whole proceeding.
Mr.. Rush." she said, 81 took these
here day before yesterday, and now the
clerk refuses them"
Mr.. Rush was grimly amused at her au.
dacity, but instead of answering her,
turned to the grinning cash boy in wait
ing and snapped Cash, what are you
waiting for Take the goods and money
this instant"
The youthful Mercury disappeared like
a spirit, and Molly felt somewhat as her
great-grandfather did at Concord.
Monday morning brought letter which
seemed promising, and which read as
follows:
WHEATFIELD, N. j., June 2.
"Miss M. p We need a domestic, and prefer
one of our own nation. The family consists of
myself and wife and hired man. My wife is
feeble, and the domestic would have to take
charge of everything. We would pay IS a
week to the right person. II you feel capable
for the place. and can bring recommendation,
we should like to have you come rs soon as
| possible"
Then followed some directions about
trains, and the whole was signed in plain,
homely fashion, Yours, Bethuel Harlow"
"Wife feeble" unused Molly; well,
she won't be poking around the kitchen all
the time" (Another flash of the Concord
spirit.) Domestic" not servant" or
"hired girl" That suited.
The result was that few days later
Molly, armed with letter from her min.
lister, was set down, the only passenger, at
Wheatside station.
Squire Harlow, waiting for the expected
"good plain cook" was smitten with great
misgivings at the sight of the stylish
young lady, for, to his eyes, accustomed
to the dress of Wheatfeld's daughters, the
simple gray suit, with its graceful drapery,
seemed the height of elegance, and was
not treasured by the question of the sta
ton agent.
"Got company from the city, amt ye "
But it was too late to retreat, and soon
old Daniel was pulling them steadily
towards home. The sqire said little, but
glanced at the girl occasionally from I'M
der his shaggy eyebrows. 1t was fair,
honest face. which freshened with every
mile in the sweet evening air, and the
gray eyes took in everything, from the
! chipmunk on the wall to the locust trees,
with their fragrant, dropping clusters.
Molly ventured few questions about
the family, and heard the story of what
; was uppermost in the squire's mind-the
story of the lost daughter, Mary, one Of
the victims of New England's scourge,
who had faded away three years before,
since when " Miss Harlow had sorter
pined." 1t was a pathetic little story,
told in the laconic New England way, but
the brown hands worked unsteadily on the
reins, and the squire's eyes had far-away
look, as though toward the country which
held his Mary.
Presently they drove up to comforta-
J BILE house, with an air of plenty about the
large barn and wide porch, over which
, grew white lilac. Molly found her mis-.
tress a little woman, with faded, gentle
, eyes, and soft, low voice. She looked
| at the girl kindly, and held out her hand
, After giving her a few directions and
| telling her where to find things, she added
J to her husband, Tell John to carry hel
t trunk to the east chamber" This was
something unusual, for the squire opened
? his mouth to say something, but being 6
l man of few words, shut the door ant
9 went out.
f Molly, following her trunk, found her
:. self in small room, with bright rag
/ carpet on the floor, white curtains loopet
. away at the window, homemade liner
9 towels with knotted fringe on the table
+ an old-fashioned chest of drawers, and
4 low, four-posted bed, with valance ant
patchwork counterpane. The room wa
Y neat, but had an unused look, and Moll,
8 wondered if the tribe of girls of which
o the squire had made mention had marched
s through it; but, too tired to think long
a she unpacked her small wardrobe, salt
d her prayers and knew nothing more til
g morning, when trilling of birds and
II ray of sunshine on her face woke her T.
her first day of service as T." domestic.
l. While making her simple toilet she CAV
many quick glances at the pillows O
d apple blossoms under her window, an
n something born of the light and fragranc
IS and music was reflected in her face a
d she took her way to the kitchen. Tn
Q wood and kindlings were near at hanG
# the fire started off briskly with cheerful
u air of encouragement, and then Mol
considered her bill of fare There wa
s salt mackerel, eggs, stale bread, the iney
Is liable salt pork, doughnuts and pie, and
IT pan of cream, whose yellow, wrinkle
h surface bore testimony to the squires Je
10 seys.
" "The mackerel won't be fried" sal
rs Molly, for the course of frying at Wido'
e Jackson's had been severe The finger
d. that had measured cloth and ribbon 6
ir deity made short work of breakfast, an
L | h. L. h. o. H..