The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-03-05
THE NEW COCK.

and send me up cook The new girl is
good for nothing, and the old one can't do
everything. Young or old, man or wo-
man, don't care, only send me up com
potent cook by ten O'Clock this morning."
"Don't look so desperate, sis; III re-
member it. want things in pretty good
style for Maxwell; he is used to it's fond
of good dinners; and guess I'll send you
good, smart cook, Emma" Mr. Thomas
Maye disappeared with reassuring nod.
He had a proverbally bad memory; pretty
Emma Maye knew it very well, yet in this
desperate emergency she trusted him.
During the two years she had had her
widowed brothers family they had been
blessed by the most skillful of cooks; but
Joan had taken fancy to get married, and
her place was hastily supplied by one who
soon proved incapable.
Just at this juncture, Mr.. Maye received
tidings that his dead wiic's favorite young
or brother, Arthur Maxwell, just returned
from abroad, would pay him visit. From
the first Emma had been nervous over the
responsibility of entertaining this elegant
young man, whom she had nevers secn.
She was lovely and accomplished; but she
could not cook-in fact. she had never
tried.
1t was 1.30 o'clock when Mr.. Faye went
to town. He took nothing but cup of
coffee at O'Clock, and lunched at his
favorite restaurant at II o'clock. At $50
o'clock the Maye's dined, and Mr. Max
well was expected by the 3. 10 clock train.
"There!" sighed Emma, when two hours
after her brothers departure, the house
was in its usual exquisite Order and the
viands and flowers sent up for dinner ''if
Tom doesn't forget, and if he sends up
good cook, everything will be nice enough"
She did not dare think of the possibility
of Tom S having forgotten, or that of the
cook not coming for any other reason; but
when, precisely at 10 o'clock, the door-bell
rang, secret weight was lifted from her
heart. She ran herself to answer the sum-
mons. A medium sized, well-dressed,
understanding young man stood at the
entrance, and she frightened at the sight
of him
Il am very glad you are so punctual; |
was afraid should be disappointed, /" She
said, leading the way to the kitchen With
out an instant's delay. ''Let me see-two
o'clock. | shall have to set you at work
at once to prepare iirst-claSs dinner. We
are expecting company from London, my
cook has left me, and | do not myself
know anything about cooking. What is
your nance literally bereaving the young
man of his hat and hanging it as high ont
of reach as possible
His reply was rather faint, but she
thought she caught it.
''Mac? You do not look like an Irish
man. But 1t doesn't make any difference.
Are you good cook -
The smile of the young man was rather
puzzlng 'I'll do my best he said
pleasantly.
''You see there's nothing in the house
but cold chicken continued Emma, IN
consciously wringing her little hands as she
continued to address the new cook, who
certainly listened very attentiycly. "But
my brother has sent. up some pigcons-to
be roasted, | suppose.
"Yes'm.'
''Can you make a celery salad -
II think can.
And Mayonnaise sauce for the cold
chickcn?'
Eyes m
''Can you make French soup?"
II can"
sob, well, l think you will do" (begin-
ming to look relievcd)
''Be sure the vegetables are not over
done, and the coffee good-my brother is
very particular about his coffee. And we
will have a Florentine pudding ?" with an
inquiring look.
''Yes'm," readily.
The new cook was already girding him
self with one of the white towels that lay
on the dresser, and casting scrutinizing
glance at the range fire.
Quite reassurrcd in spirit, Emma was
turning away when she stopped to add:
81 will lay the table myself to-day, Mac,
and fill the fruit dishes; but if you give
satisfaction | will mtrust you with the key
of the china closet, and You will have en-
tire care of the table.
And with a gracious nod the young lady
withdrew from the kitchen.
She piled the fruit dishes with rosy pears,
golden oranges, and white grapes; filled
the vases it'll roses, lilies, and ferns; set
clusters of dainty glasses filled with amber
jelly among the silver and china. and then,
with a sigh of satisfaction at the result,
ran away to dress.
'I'll not go near the kitchen to even
smell the dinner. | don't know anything
about cooking it, and will trust to luck.
have an idea that Mac is really capable
is going to prove a treasure. His dress
was so neat and he was SO quiet and re-
spectful," concluded Emma, leisurely ar
ranging her hair.
Her new dress with it's abundant lace
and cardinal ribbons, was very becoming
and fitted the petite, round figure so per-
fectly that Emma felt at peace with all the