The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-02-07

from his Watch-chaln. The ~as-iet
bnrned softly behind the rose-colored
shade in the hall, the fire clicked cheer
fully in the CRATE of the parlor beyond.
''Humphi' he muttered .'She
hasn't come. Thought so! There's
no such thing as a practical woman
nowadays"
At the same moment light, white
aproned little figure came out of the
dining-room beyond, and Nelly Tor
RANGES voice uttered the words:
dinner is ready, Cousin John"
The old man smiled. He had q
pleasant expression of the face when
he smiled, and Nelly wondered that
Rhe had not before noticed what a
handsome man he was.
"Oh," said he, ''you did come them"
"Oh, l always keep my engage
ments," said Nelly. "Punctuality is
the soul of business, isn't it, Cousin
John? At least, that's what l used to
write in NY copy-books at school"
Mr.. Brown patted her hand as she
helped him off with his overcoat.
you're good GIRL" said he.
And in his secret mind he decided to
put up with any deficiencies in the
cooking of a girl who had such ex-
cellent business principles.
But, to his infinite amazement, there
were no deficiencies to overlook! The
soup was on the table, clear as water,
favored like dream of Soyer's own!
The first course was baked trout,
swimming in wine sauce, the second a
pigeon toast. A small and compact
OF 0fh f,,ih hy n
dainty giblet-pie, and the dessert was
fruit, peach tarts, and Bavarian cream!
Mr. Brown ate, and reiished, and
wondered, by turns.
'.Mv DEAR said he at last, when the
cloth was removed and the wine and
walnuts brought on, ''all this is very
nice. I'll concede that you are a tip
top housekeeper. But of course you
ordered all this from Mouerate's res
taurant?"
''But of course 1 didn't. Cousin
Brown" said Nelly decidedly. 81
cooked it all myself!'
''What, that soupr'
eyes, that soupr'
''Did you prepare that trout sauce,
and broil that pigeon?'
Eyes, Cousin Brown"
''And the giblet-pie? Was that
yours?"
"Yes, :snd the giblet-pie! Don't look
SO astonished, Cousin Brown" she
added, laughing. Il may as well con-
fesS that / took Il course of cooking les
sons last summer And | like it of all
things, especially in q household like
this, where one can command the very
best materials"
Mr. Brown closed his eyes and made
a hasty calculation. His life had been
worried out of him." to use u medi-
ocre expression, by capricious house
| keepers, inefficient cooks, and un-
trained servants. Here, at last, was d
gateway out of all tribulations!
My dear he said, Il should like to
have you come here and live"
s'As cook, Cousin Brown?"
"No-as my adopted daughter and
house-keeper. l need someone to take
the helm of my affairs. By Jupitern'
he added as he recollected the flavor oI
the giblet-pie, Il haven't eaten such &
dinner in ten years.
"But my MOTHER hesitated Eleanor
''and my sister Lucetta. -
Let them come, too" said Mr.
Brown. "Biess your heart, my dear,
there's plenty of room in the house
Can they cook, too?'
No, Cousin Brown" confessed
Nelly.
.Well, perhaps, it's just as we'll. ,
said Mr. Brown. ''There can't bC
more than one head to household.
hope you have preserved the recipe o1
that giblet-pie, my dear. 1t was really
something extraordinary.
So the Torrance family found com,
Portable refuge for the soles Of theil
feet, and Nelly's despised accomplish
ment proved the sword wherewith she
opened the worlds oyster.
And Lucetta sighed and wondered
why she, too, had not taken cooking
lessons.
Nelly is the old mans first favor
ite,' said she. He'll leave her hi
money when he dies. And all because
she accepted his ridiculous offer o
turning cook for a living"
Mr. Brown, however, looked at thi
matter in different light.
Nelly is trump" he said. ''Nell,
is not like the typical young lady, wht
is too lazy to work, and too proud t.
beg. She is one who ennobles tn,
humblest task, and does, with all he
might, whatever her hands find to do. )
So the old proverb came true
"Heaven helps those who help them
selves