Nevada County picayune., 1889-02-06
fortable. Then Willy can wait on

think my education so much neg lected that l cant cook a steak or make coffee. Mamma has taueht me that and more. You will see how I'll manage.
 For few days things went tolera- bly we'll Kate, finding everything in good order. was not hindered in her first efforts. and she made her fathers coffee and broiled his steak with fair success. But as the week passed a cheerlcssness erept through the house. The parlor was unswept, the dust gathered on the stairs. and many of the dishes and pans were pushed out without washing when Kate was III a hurry to go to school. She saw the growing disorder in the kitchen with disgust.
 '.l'll give them enough to eat, but l can't drudge over the other
 
 things she decided My prac- Using and my lessons are of the greatest importance.
 Mrs. Gray's meals were pre- pared with suliiciect care to keep her mind easy as to Rates ability. But the pantry and closets showed T scene past description. The table was no longer daintily set. but things were hurried on haphazard, just in time for Mir. Gray to catch his morn ing car.
 Dr. Burbank. as he made his fre quent calls. noticed the stairs and doorway with a keen eye; the faded flowers in the vases did not escape him. nor the cobwebs i'll the corners of tue hall.
 They say Miss Kate will gradu ate with honor," he thought; "but she needs another kind of schooling before she can make shining, re- fined home for those who love her. -
 About four q clock Saturday after noon. while Kate was at the organ recital, passenger stepped from the stage. entered the house quietly, and hearing Willy's voice upstairs traced it to Mrs. Gray's room,
 Cousin Patty had come.
 "Why, of course Eve come ,' she replied to Mrs. Gray's exclamation. "kate's letter made me come all the quicker. for l knew l could help you. l shall love to do it, -
 She changed her travelling dress for calico and white apron.
 Pm glad Kate Is out, she said, laughing Pm going to take right hold. and have supper ready when she comes.
 She ran lightly down stairs, kindled a fire. seized q broom. and soon cleared dust. cobwebs. crumbs and litter from the hall dining room and kitchen. Then she looked in the closets.
 W hat a sight. \ pan with odd bits of bread, dry and hard. with al- most whole loaf on top, drying like the rest two pitchers near y full of sour milk; some tough ends of steak left from the last meal; cold potatoes with the skins on; some sliced beets in cracked saucer: coffe pot half full of coffee and a teapot half full of tea, both standing on the window sill the sugar jar open, and the salt spilled on the shelf.
 "poor Kate" thought Patty. Il am so glad come'
 It was almost six o'clock when Kate reached home. A surprise awaited her as she opened the din- ing room. The floor was clean, the table neatly set, and from the kitchen beyond came savory smell of cooking.
 Mother, mother - she called, really believing that her mother had by miracle came down stairs.
 A merry laugh from the pantry an- swered her and out came Cousin Patty.
 Pm getting supper" she eX- plained.
 Kate blushed hotly; she remem- bered how she had left the closet shelves. She had come in meaning to scrape all that rubbish into the fire. and take new start. She was too mortified ta speak, but Patty went on explaining her arrival, and ended very winningly wlthi
 rSchoQl girls can't be expected to do housework and graduate with honors all in one breath, so I'm go- ing to help you right mp this Hill