Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-05-31

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child. There was my aunt Gan in
valid). little Flora and her governess.
four servants and myself
"Now. Hannah" said my aunt. the
very earliest possible moment after
her daughters departure. Il want
something fit to eat. I'm tired of
stalled OK, embroidered oysters, pol
ished 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"
Swell. I'm not" replied. Il am
going to cook on my own range in
my own kitchen. l shall begin to-
morrow. after l have properly prepared
Mrs. De Planners for my debut My
first order will be issued, like Flora's,
from the library"
"Orders? F1ora's?'' said the in
valid. with sniff. tom Guernsey
will be ruined. 1 tell you that, if my
daughter keeps on with her orders.
Toms fool"
The following morning 1 waited
from nine till half-past ten for
the cook to present herself. Then
she appeared with solemnity and dig
nifty. Mrs. De Planners was heavy
browed. middle-aged woman. of a
fiorid complexion and Statue of Lib
erty waist.
This is Miss Cornell, I presumed"
she remarked.
"Yes." l replied; land you, sup.
pose. are the cook?''
"My name is De Planners. ma am.
Mrs. DE Planners. am wildly"
was the impressive reply.
"What is your given name?' 1 in
quired. carelessly, to all appearance
untouched by the intended reproof.
The woman's face was afame.
"My name is Margaret" she said;
but if may make SO bold, l should
like to inquire what concern it is of
anybody's. ma'am?''
II am in the habit of calling nv
servants by their first Names" l an
swered. 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 immajately after breakfast.
land what is for dinner, Mar
garrett"
BLESS me soul. and the heart of me
mistress dear, who has gone away off
to Californy, and who would niver
have asked me such a question if we
had lived together for twenty years."
And EOw the cooks tones were exceed
ingly lachrymose. 1T was always:
Just what We phase, dear Mrs. De Flam-
mers; you do cook so beautiful that
there's niver any thing left to ask
for"
You haven't answered my ques-
ton. Margaret" 1 persisted. What
are we going to have for dinner?''
It'll be the coorses that We gener-
ally have on Thursday, with new
entry of pigeons -er-hearts. which l
thought as how might be pleasing to
the sick Lady," was the reply. in a
somewhat Modified tone.
"And that reminds me-" I re-
marked. with an Indifference which l
was far from feeling. that 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 mis-
tresses is ever allowed to sils their fin
gers there" Mrs. De Planners re-
piled. 1.-The kitchen is no place for a
lady. Surely We ought to 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 inn
pertinence had entered, l left the Ii
brary.
1 Think 1 can say that the experience
of the next sixty minutes was the
browning experience of my life. Ihad
seen some dirt, and heard of more. but
this kitchen was den of iniquity.
How any decently served and favored
food could come from this filthy hole
was mystery. The most expensive
china and the incest OF porcelain pots
and cooking utensils covered the ia
bles. the sink and the range all
scorched and gummed with the differ
emit accumulations of ages. The cooks
assistant sat in the front basement
the servants sitting-room-rcading
novel. A couple of dozen squads.
nicely picked. lay upon one end of
side table. and Mrs De Hammers was
beating some eggs at the other end.
There was not q single vessel in this
bountifully-provided kitchen that was
in readiness for my use. The presid-
ing deity appeared not to be aware of
my existence. Mary came ut my bid
ding. and after tedious scraping and
securing. u saucepan was made passa-
bly, clean; just rs had got my soap
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