Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-01-04
MEDICINE LODGE, KANSAS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1898

lessly into the great handsome iron,
paflor, and dropped down on one of the
low, cushioned divans, "all in heap"
as the girls say. For two whole hours
she kept herself hid in the parlor, no
body knowing she was in the house;
and, in that lone. silent time, when she
heard only the tinkling little bronze
clock and her own irregular breathing,
something happened to Polly. almost
like what happens to the moth when il
comes out of the cocoon. 1t happened
TO the Polly that was hid away inside
of the Polly tha: everybody knew. And
who shall s:y that this great, startling
change Of fortune was not sent to keep
that inside Polly from being smothered
and dwarfed by the outside Pollya
When she went to find her mother
and grandfather. it was with a bright
face and steady voice.
A few days after this Polly brought
up a dainty little breakfast to her
mother. who was quite overcome by
their disaster, as was the poor old
grandfather.
"Come, mother" Polly said, blithely,
81 made these biscuit; and you've got
to eat two. What a good thing it was
that you had that hobby about teach
ing me to do things! Doesn't it fit in
nicely now?'
at was theory of your fathers"
answered the mother, in a depressed
tone. II promised him. when you were
a wee baby in long clothes. that would
have you taught to do everything that
women can do, and, of course, after
his death, felt the more bound to do
it. But don't know why you should
make so much of it now. You can't
support yourself making biscuits"
II don't know" said Polly, care
lessly. II don't know" she repeated
more earnestly, springing up and walk
ing about the room, as if her mind were
not following her footsteps.
In few weeks the Rutherfords had
moved into a small downtown house,
with all the available rooms ''let;" and
poor old Mr.. Rutherford was trying
feebly to discharge the duties of a
small-salaried Office into which his
friends had put him.
Polly's mother seemed quite crushed
at first; but the girl herself was buoy
ant with hope, as every young girl has
a right to be, no matter what her style
of living is or is not.
Thanks to Mr.. McIlwaine, she had
her hundred dollars now to invest in
an enterprise on which she had set her
heart far more than it had ever been
set on the pearls. And along with the
hundred dollars she had also to invest
in it youth, health, good sense. brave
spirit and proud independence. What
else needed she for happy and sue
cessful life?
Her enterprise began with a visit.
basket in hand. to seven or eight of the
best city hotels, and as many of the
restaurants. TO all of them she offered
a daily, weekly o. tri-;yeekly supply of
her dainty little beaten biscuit, such as
she had learned TO make down in East
ern Virginia, from famous old cook,
who had in slave days belonged to her
fathers family. She was successful
almost up to her own expectations. and
far beyond her mothers; and her Ella
ton could not but infuse some hope into
that lady's weak spirit.
I'VE must have a new name for your
biscuit, Miss" said one wise old res
taurant keeper. What shall we call
them?"
Call them" said Polly, hesitating
and laughing, ''call them the Polly
wOlly-winkum biscuit.
The Polly-wolly biscuit got
to be the fashion that winter. After
hiring one good cook at what seemed
ruinous wages, a second and third had
to be engaged; but Polly put on her
great kitchen apron, tied up her abund-
ant hair into high knot. and spent
four hours of every day in her kitchen
herself. No plea of other engagements.
no pretence that the cooks would do as
well without her, no tempting offer of
sleigh-rides. no Hattering invitations of
any sort, could make the little mistress
of the bakery break her rule or neglect
her work. Naturally the biscuit grew
in favor.
The last time / visited the Polly
wolly-winkum bakery. it had moved its
quarters to large, well-lighted kitchen,
with a classroom attached. Yes, a
classroom; for Polly had agreed to
teach cooking to number of rich
mems daughters at good round price
per girl. And, not to lose the chance
Of doing good because she was poor,
she selected dozen poor girls. to
whom she gave another hour a week.
without pay.
Mr.. Paul Mcllwaine was my cicerone
on the occasion of my visit; and, when
had admired and praised until the
English language was exhausted. he
said. gravelY:
Nevertheless suit is pending in
court against the Polly-wolly-winkum
bakery. 1t is charged that Miss Ruth
erford is dishonesty Withholding from
all the young gentlemen of her ac-
quaintanee the time and thought and
interest they believe to be their due"
That is dreadful charge, Polly
winkum," said L What are you 20
ing to do about it?''
'Tll engage Mr.. McIlwaine to defend
me-" replied the little bakeress, rum
ming to look into an oven. But, some
how, her face was red even before she
opened the oven door!-Good Cheer.