The Portland daily press., 1888-06-02
A CONQUERED KITCHEN.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.



answer was conservative enough.
eff it were three weeks instead of three
months" said. sand then if your estab-
lishment were not so large"
"That'll do, Hannah" said my cousin
Flora, with more energy than she had mani
tested in week. Her doctor had ordered
her to California; reason, nervous prostra-
tion: cause of that, society.
''Tom and know that you can do It," she
went on; "and If you can give us the time,
and feel strong enough to undertake it,"
"But what will there be to do?" Tom broke
in with the usual masculine ignorance of do
nestle machinery. There's Henry, you
know; he does all the buying; and really we
have never had better cook. Don't you
think so, Flora?"
Yes; she's perfection; and that reminds
me, Hannah, mother was saying this morn
Ing that when we went away she was going
to ask you to cook some of your nice things.
But tell you not to enter the kitchen If you
desire to pursue your daily avocations with
head on your shoulders. Mrs. De Planners
comes to the library every morning for her
orders. and after that is invisible to every
body except her assistant. She will expect
you to say as l have always done, 1T is quite
immaterial. Mrs. De Planners. If you will
give your orders to Henry, that will be quite
satisfactory"
"Yes, that'll be the safest way" said Tom.
"Flora really seems to be inspired in her
management af servants"
"But how about accounts 2" inquired.
''0h. we don't have any accounts" my
cousin replied, languidly. 1.-THE tradesmen
make out their bills, and Tom pays them."
Eyes, that's the size of it." said Tom, and
thought detected look of care upon the
honest, kin lily face that had never seen be-
fore.
swell. always keep accounts" i an
swered, tentatively. Flora had left the room
now, too exhausted for another word.
1T can't be done here" Tom replied, with
dubious shake of the head. "The cook
orders. Henry buys, and 1 pay the bills"
No matter what they are?"
why, of course not. A bilPs BILL"
"What about auntie's soups and jellies ?''
asked.
Poor old soul, she ought to have what she
wants." was the puzzled response. 'sYou
might get a gas stove, and smuggle some
things upstairs couldn't your"
"Yes, could" replied, and longed to
add,-'ff I'm coward Twill" But | left
the matter drop. Flora must be got away
without excitement; but my blood boiled in
my veins at the thought of the lamentable
figure was expected to cut, and decided
then and there not to cut it. And was the
more thoroughly rooted and grounded in
this determination when Tom, about five
minutes before starting. drew me one side,
and said. confidentially: "I've been think
ing about accounts, Hannah, and I'd like to
have you try and keep 'em. This house is
costing mint of money,-father says three
times more than it ought to; and if you think
you can stand it,
Il couldn't stand it not to- / interrupted.
"Of course feel sure the servants are
honest" Tom resumed, "and you know how
devoted they all are to Flo-still- we'll"
l understood. The situation was by no
means novel. Tom was enough of BUSH
ness man to know that something was
wrong, but doubt la score of bayonets
could have pEodded him into expressing his
suspicious or anxieties to his wife.
And 50 l was left in charge of family
consisting Of seven adults and one child.
There was my aunt IAN invalid), little Flora
and her goyerness, four servants and myself.
Now, Hannah" said my aunt, the very
earliest possible moment after her daughters
departure, 81 want something fit to eat. I'm
tired of stalled OK, embroidered oysters,
polished chops, and Irish bouillon. For a
change I'd like some good old-fashioned ham
and eggs, and some baked beans and brown
bread. Tom told me that you were going to
get a gas stove"
well, I'm not" l replied. I'm going TO
cook on my own range in my own kitchen.
shall begin tomorrow. after have prompt
ly prepared Mrs. De Planners for my debut
My first order win be issued, like Flora's.
from the library"
'0rders2 Flora's?" said the invalid. with
sniff. Tom Guernsey will be ruined, 1
tell you that If my daughter keeps on with
her orders. Toms fool"
The following morningIl waited from till
half-past 10 for the cook to present herself.
Then she appeared with solemnity and dig
nifty. Mrs. De Planners was heavy
browed, middle aged woman, of ford COM
plexien, and Statue of Liberty waist.
This is Miss Cornell, presume" she re-
marked,
YES" replied; "and you, suppose, are
the cook?"
my name is DE. Planners, ma am, Mrs.
De Planners. l am wildly" was the i'm
pressive reply.
What is your given name?" inquired
carelessly, to all appearance untouched by
the intended reproof. The woman's face
was aflame.
MY name was Margaret" she said; "but
II mayfmake so bold, should like to in
quire what concern it is of anybody's
ma'amY
Il am In the habit of calling my servants
by their first names" / answered. coolly
Have you your list made out, Margaret"
Me list?-me list? What do We mean by
me list? Sure and if it is the things made
for the day, Henry went for them immedi-
ately after breakfast
And what is for dinner, Margaret"
BLESS me soul, and the heart of me mis-
tress dear, who has gone away off to Cali
forny, and who would niver have asked me
SUM duCstiou IL VIC udu llNtu IOReLler Tor
20 yearsw And now the cooks tones were
exceedingly lachrymose. st was always,
Just what We phase, dear Mrs. De Planners /;
you do cook so beautiful that there's niyer
anything left to ask for"
You haven't answered my question. Mar
garrett" 1 persisted, what are going to
have for dinner2"
It'll be the courses that we generally
have on Thursday, with a new entry of
pigeons'-er-hearts, which thought as how
might be pleasing to the sick lady," was the
reply. in somewhat Modified tone.
And that reminds me-" 1 remarked. with
an indifference which was far from feeling,
that l shall be down in about half an hour
TO make some soup for Mrs. Taylor"
THE kitchen is me own vine and fig-tree.
ma'am. and none of me mistresses Is ever
allowed to sile their fingers there" Mrs. De
Planners replied. 1.-THE kitchen is no
place for lady. Surely We understand
that"
There is nothing more to say at present"
l remarked, and with wave of my hand
toward the door by which this behemoth of
flesh and impertinence had entered, left
the library.
think can say that the experience of