The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-10-30


and could not bear to teach Margaret,
and the consequence was that the girl
promised to be inefficient help all of
her life. 1t was for Margaret's own
sake, as we'll as for Mrs. AmeS' benefit,
tnat | urged the experiment of giving
her regular training for her duties, the
same as boy would receive who was to
be mason, or cabinet maker, or ma
| chinist.
The days ran rapidly away until they
had numbered a week, when one day,
after dinner, my quiet was invaded by
a rush from my restless little neighbor.
Sinking down breathlessly into achair
she waited just long enough to gather
herself together before exclaiming:
Score yourself victory number onel'
Margaret made bread to- day in the reg
ular, scientific, artistic, college bred
no pun intended-way, and it was as
nice and light, and sweet and beautiful,
| as if concocted for company of celes-
tials. If she never does anything more
than just to make and bake that batch
of bread, shall bless the cooking school
for evermore. l plainly see, however,
that she has lost all respect for my
knowledge, and if it goes on shall
dwindle to most infniteSimal minority
in my own kitchen.
'You will not care, l suppose provid-
ing everything is done as it should be,
| said.
Not at all, she answered, Il am per-
fectly willing to shrink into nothingnesS,
so tar as the cooking is concerned, pro-
viding it is scientifically executed. You
ought to have seen how Margaret's eyes
Shone when we exclaimed at the excel
lence of her bread. 1t is the first time
that have ever seen her look really
pleased about anything. The best of it
is that she will always make it good,
now that she knows how, but could
never get her to take any interest in it
before. She would listen to what | told
her, and then at once serenely forget
every word
No WONDER l said, you did not
give her single reason for doing any
thing, nor did you explain the process
step by step and then let her try. Then
you beli:tled the work by telling her
that anybody could make good bread if
tney half tried.
How did you know7' she queried,
in surprise.
Because that is the way almost every
body does, | answered. People de-
grade cooking instead of lifting it up.
Brains have got to be put into the max
ing of every dish in order that it be sue
cessful, and yet even those who should
know better talk as if it were matter
for no special commendation when
thing is unusually palatable. When
girls come to understand that cooking
is trade, to be learned like dress-mak-
ing and millinery, and that skill will be
appreciated and paid for, they will take
more PRIDE in their work, and hope
new day will dawn for our homes.
I'm afraid I'm not bit philanthro-
pic she exclaimed, with a comical at
tempt at look of regret, but do you
know that, though like to hear you
say those things and am sure it is ever
so grand to want to make the world over,
[ can't get up one bit of interest in the
way other peoples kitchens are run.
It's awfully selfish, but it's true. I'm
going to set good example, though,
with Margaret, and don you think that
will be sort of expiation--a saliva, as
it were-for my sin of indifference
Il don't care what you tcink, l an
swered laughing, you only go on with
my experiment. You need not under
take to turn anybody's kitchen but your
own into a Paradise nor worry about
them, either. Just give Margaret good
chance and see what comes of it,
1t chanced that the next day l was
called away from home and was absent
several weeks, that finally stretched into
months. The morning after my return
| received message from my expert
menting neighbor, asking me to come
in and see her, as she had been ill and
was just convalescing. found her sit
ting in large easy chair, her face thin
and very pale, but her eyes bright with
returning health.
Il am SO glad to see you back she
said after the first greetings. 4 could
not rest until had told you all about
Margaret, and how blessed you for in
ducing me to send her to that cooking
school. Why, she is jewel, and my
only trouble now is that she will shine
50 bright that some one will take her
away from me- Now, don't smile in
that superior sort of I-told-you SO way.
think | should be commended for own
ing up the defeat so courageously, but
really she has come out SO beautifully
that | feel humbled into the dust for
my skepticism. You see | didn't real
ize the change in her until | was taken
so sick and then she blossomed right
out, not only in the kitchen, but all over
the house. 1t seems as if knowing how
to cook so we'll made her more intelli-
gent about everything. Such meals as
She did get up, they said, and the mar
ket bills were never smaller. Of course
she made few mistakes-you cant ex
pect perfect satisfaction all at once-bu
they were never repeated, and she ma:
f been such a comfort.
t Il am delighted, l said, when she
| paused to take breath. Now there il
: one thing more that | want you to do.
r 'What, another experiment. Don
= say it's anything that is going to disturb
= this blissful state of peace and rest abou
my kitchen department. Anything bu
e that. Do you want me to send mis-
e sionary to the wild Africans and sup
f port him there1 I'll do it, if | have t.
sell my back hair IN. B.-She was yer,
r proud of her hair) to obtain the means
| but don't, don't advance anything II
. the light of a duty that will bring dis
/ cord into my beatifc condition.
S She paused, out of breath. Sh
e usually came to state of silence onl
when it was exhausted.
e laughed, but held my peace.
v GO on, she said at last, resignedly