Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-10-23

before. You tell me that this cook is
only with you temporarily. Can you
inform me if she is engaged, sfser she
leaves here?"
The professors eyes twinkled as he
replied.
my wife will find out and let you
know" he said. q Fanny rs rather a
superior sort of person, in every re
spect. Quite intelligent, Mrs. Stapleton
informs me"
Good taste, skill, quickness Of per
ception, large ideality, and marked
benevolence,n said the president,
are the woman's distinguishing
qualities. "
That's Fanny to dot, the host
observed, approximately.
Yes, and the ability to perform
such culinary mir would be a
credit to anybody" the guest went
on.
wonder what time lady would
find for anything else if she gave her
self up body and soul to the stew -pot"
Mrs. Stapleton responded in her quick,
impetuous fashion.
"Ample time, I should think, said
the professor, blandly, who never
knew whether his wife was really
annoyed or feigning to be so. II
might require little patience to teach
a servant how to do these beautiful
things" he continued: but once
taught"
eyes, once taught" his wife in
terrupted, little snappishly, her guest
thought you would have the pleas
ure of beginning all over again with
another greenhorn who was anxious
to learn and leave. am acquainted
with the genus servant, and you are
not.
but there is no surer way of
adding TO the worlds health and com
fort, " the president remarked, musing-
ly.
every true, said the professor.
81 have been persuaded for long
time,n the hostess remarked, with
flashing eyes and winning smile,
that this theory, like all optimistic
theories, professor, is founded on ,g
norance. Your dinner pleases you,
therefore all women should be cooks
and trainers of cooks. This is mascu-
line logic. Now | tell you that if "a
woman is born a cook, she is going to
cook, and teach everybody else to
cook who comes within the reach of
her influence, if she can. The divine
right of genius comes in here, Profess
Bor Stapleton. But woman not so
inspired can nc more make cook
than a person without rythm can
make a poet. Browning understood
this when he summed up the things
he would like to do, and could not, in
his grand poem TO his wife. i shall
never he says,
Paint your pictures, no, nor carve your statues,
| Make you music thar should all express me;
SO il seems / stand on my attainment,
This of verse alone one life allows me-
Verse and nothing else have to give you.
Now, Oh course, President Lambeth,
you and the professor will say that
the remark have in store for you is
exceedingly illogical, but suppose, in
addition to this gift of verse, Mrs.
Browning had insisted upon the poets
making her loaf of unexceptionable
brown bread every other day9" When
the laugh that greeted this question
had subsidized little, the lady resum-
cd Now, gentlemen, | cannot
cook n--she was going to add, land l
will not" but thought better OF it
"but | can beat either of you at chess.
can make nay own dresses and my
own hats, and that's more than Fanny
can do; and | can play you asleep
with sonatas, and on a pinch | can
embroider your hosiery. "
"You forgot one other accomplish
ment that you possess" said her hus-
band, who was never more entertain
ed than when listening to her sallles.
"Do not believe it, professor, the
guest remarked laUghingly. She
understands its value only too well. .
This conversation was duly reported
to the cook, whose keen enjoyment OF
the fun was very grateful to hen
friends.
Frances. / have forestalled thai
husband of mine, Mrs. Stapleton re
marked. HE knows now that 1T Is
as much as his life is worth for him tc
tell me that he wishes | would Learn
to cook.
Miss Lyman's smile deepened, anC
she turned away to hide 1T. In thu
professors frequent visits to thu
kitchen, he had never omitted TO say
that he did wish his wife would learI
to prepare some of these dishes, ant
She was confident that this much
dreaded remark was only postponed
On the last morning of the presl
dents stay, whether with 'mallc
prepense" or by accident, he entered
the kitchen garden and strolled alonl
till he reached the kitchen door TIL
cook, arrayed in a long white apron
and a tasteful cap which enhances
rather than concealed the beauty o
. her calm, regular features, stood look
ing out upon the charming view. Sa
E had Just completed her preparation
e for dessert, and held in her hand
+ volume of Taine's Ideal in Art. Sh
e heard no approaching footsteps unit
she was suddenly confronted by tn
~ dignified figure OF the college presl
dent. 1t was too late to run, and S
!, the cook bravely stood her grouno
. keeping her head averted so as not
4 he Obliged to meet the gentleman