Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-05-17
A CONQUERED KITCHEN
The Invasion, the Encounter and
the Final Victory.

That sounded well, aud was very
gratifying TO my amour propre. II
there was one thing / could do. and do
II well, IL was TO keep house. Irev-
cllcd In housekeeping. and in my
pride and confidence l said to myself:
Tic larger the house, the better But
my answer was conservative enough.
"lf II were three weeks instead of
three months" / said. "And then II
your establishment were not so large"
That i do, Hannah, said my cousin
Flora, with more energy than she
had manifested In a week. Her doc
tor had ordered her TO California: rea-
son. nervous prostration; cause Of
that, society.
tom and know that you can do
It, she went on; "and II you can
give us the time. and feel strong
enough to undertake it"
"But what will there be to doP"
Tom broke in, with the usual masculine
ignorance Of domestic machinery.
There's Henry. you know; he does
all the buying; and really we never
had better cook. Don't you think so,
FloraPn
YES; she's perfection; and that re-
minds me, Hannah: Mother was say
ing this morning that when we went
away she was going to ask you 10
cook some Of your nice things But /
tell you not to enter the kitchen IL you
desire to pursue your daily vocations
with lead on your shoulders. Mrs.
DC Hammers 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 have always done: 1t
is quite immaterial. Mrs. De Flam-
mers. lfyou will give your orders to
Henry. that will be quite satisfac-
tory"
"Ies. that ill he the safest way"
said Tom. Flora really seems to be
inspired in her management of serv-
ants"
"But how about accountsP' in
quired.
"Oh. we don't have any accounts"
my cousin replied. languidly THE
tradesmen make out their bills, and
Tom pays them"
"Yes. that's the size of IT," said
Tomi and 1 thought / detected look
of care upon the honest kindly face
that had never seen before.
"Well. l always keep accounts" l !
answered, tentatively. Flora had left
the room now, too exhausted for
another word
"It can't be done here" Tom re-
piled. with a dubious shake Of the
head. "The cook orders, Henry
buys. and | pay the bill"
mo matter what they are7" .t
why, Of course not A bilrs
bill"
"What about auntio's soups and
jellies?" ! asked
Poor old soul, she ought to have
what she wants." was the puzzled re-
sponse. "You might get gas stove,
and smuggle some things upstairs,
couldn't youpp
"Yes. l cOu'd, replied. and longed
TO add. "If I'm n coward l will "
But l let 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 1t. And 1 was the |
more thoroughly rooted and grounded |
in this determination when Tom,
about five minutes before starting.
drew me one side. and said, conf |
dcntially; "Tyc been thinking about |
accounts. Hannah. aud I'D like to
have you try and keep 'em. This |
house is costing a mint of money
father says three times more than IL |
ought to; and If you think you can
stand it,"
81 couldn't stand it not to. 3" / inter
rupted
"Of course feel sure tie sery-
ants are honest" Tom resumed, land
YOU know how devoted they all are to
Flo-still-well :"
l understood. The situation was by
no means novel. Tom was enough Of
a busin iss man TO know that some-
ft'"H NAo but NOubl n
score OF bayOnets could have prodded
him into expressing his suspicious or
anxieties 10 his wife.
And so i was loft in charge OF fam
ily consisting Of seven adults and one
child There was my aunt (an IN
valid). little Flora and her governess,
four servants aud myself
Now Hannah. said my aunt, the
very earliest possible moment after
hcr daughters departure ~ want
fit TO eat I'm tired Of
stalled OK. embroidered oysters, pol
Ishcd chops and Irish bouillon. For a
change I'd Ike some good old
fashioned ham and eggs. and some
baked beans and brown bread. Tom
old me that you were going to get
gas stove"
''Well I'm not" / replied. Il am
yolng to cook on my own range I'm
ny own kitchen. ! shall begin To-
morrow. aftor have properly prepared
Mrs Do Hammers for my debut My
lrsl order will bs issued. like Flora's
rsm the library"
"OulcrP FlorasP' said the in
alil, with snlfE "Tom Guernsey
i|ll ho ruined. tell you that II my
auEhier keeps on With her orders.
nl's TOOL"