The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-02-26
PEGGY'S DOUBLE.
BY MATTE GORDON.

"There's no use talking, Rose; 1 can
not work all day long and live on such
victuals! Black, muddy coffee, heavy
rolls that / would defy the strongest
stomach to digest, and such cooked
eggs -Je-whit-taker can't abide it!'
And, after kicking the dog several
times, and venting his anger on the
poor, inoffensive cat by giving her
not over-gentle rap with his cane, he
slammed the street door after him,
leaving the astonished Rose to digest
this TRADE at her leisure.
What should she do? She had never
learned to do any cooking in her life.
and this was the consequence. The
honeymoon had scarcely expired, and
here she stood with great tears rolling
down her cheeks, the beauty of her
complexion destroyed by her vain en-
deavor to prepare dainty meal, and,
worst. of oil, the first harsh words that
had passed her husbands lips since
their marriage, had been uttered, while
he left her in anger. She sank upon
the sofa and cried aloud.
When the foodgates of grief had
closed, she arose, and, bathing her
throbbing temples and swollen eyelids,
was in the act of performing the daily
routine of household duties, when
timid peal at the door-bell caused her
to drop her dish-towel and wonder who
the caller might be.
A pale face and slight figure met her
gaze. neatly, though plainly, clad in
dress of gray serge, set off by dainty
ruche of white ut the throat and wrists,
while knot of cherry-colored ribbon
adorned the former; spotless white
apron completed the attire.
"Please, maam," came almost apollo
getically, "Mr. Caruthers sent me here
on trial, saying as how you wanted to
hire girl to do general work for you.
/ hope will suit you, for understand
all kinds of work, but I've never hired
out before, my lady"
"Come in! Rose said, glad express
sion looking out from her dark, blue
eyes, "and we shall soon be able to
settle that point beyond doubt. Can
you cook?"
"Yeslm! NV mother has been cook
In gent1eman's family for years, and
she says that / am very passable."
"Thut is good. When can you COM
mence work-let me see, what is your
name?"
Peggy, ma ami"
when can you come, Peggy?"
Il will begin now, my lady, if you
wish"
every well, them" said Rose, noting
admiringly the modest droop of the eye
lids over the meek gray eyes, "you may
finish washing the dishes and tidy up
the room"
When the master of the house came
to dinner he was met at the hall door
by radiant and forgiving face, while
a pair of soft arms wound about his
neck, and a pair of rosy lips pressed to
his reminded him of former days of
bliss.
"How does your servant suit, dear ?"
was the question, as they proceeded to
the dining room arm-in-arm.
"Oh, she is altogether too perfect for
anything" was the extravagant answer.
peggy is just an ideal of laundress,
tire-woman, and, oh, you must taste
her cooking. Henry"
@Very well am glad that you have
found such a prize, Pet" he said
simply.
And the dinner was certainly a
successful food for dyspeptic.
Steak, juicy and tender; potatoes,
mealy, and not over-done; light biscuit
which caused Henry Caruthers' impair
ed appetite to blossom forth with re-
newed vigor; the cottage pudding was
simply delicious, while the pie-crust
could not be excelled for fakiness.
His spirits rose with his appetite, his
hearty laugh ringing out loud and
clear, until Rose was disagreeably sur
prised when the half hour had expired,
wishing it might continue forever. The
breakfast was simple in its construc-
ton. causing home to appear like far
famed elysium to Henry Caruther,
and ere imprinting the parting kiss,
he said to his wife:
Zone week from tonight, love, there
is to lie grand hop at Mrs. Trueman's /;
here is the card of invitation which / re-
.ceivei today. We must certainly cal
.culate to CO."
The evening arrived, and great was
Roses anticipation for the coming
event. Henry entered his wife's room
a little before the time. and throwing
q small package upon her dressing
table. remarked, carelessly:
Here is slight token, Rose, dear
wear them tonight to please me-
She curiously undid the fastening,
which revealed TO her delighted eyes
the most magnificent sight that ever
her imagination had pictured. Lying
.on bed of pink perfumed cotton was
.brooch--which sparkled and resparkled
in their lustrons, dazzling beauty
before the eyes of Rose, until she could
contain herself no longer, but caught
them impulsively to her lips, and press
ed kiss upon kiss on their shining sur
face.
Very lovely she looked ms she en-.
tered the illumined parlors of her host
ess, leaning upon the arm of her proud,
indulgent husband.