The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-20
ELIzA's LOVE AFFAIR.
[FiresIde. Companion

well developed limbs.
90 not suppose that any one had
ever thought her pretty, but she was as
t,oy as waiting maid in comedy ana
inc hutlng and plating that she wore
upon her cap and apron were miraculous
As for her face, it shone with much wash
ing, having polished spots on the cheek
bones and chin, the curve of her high
nose and the two prominent points of her
forehead. Not a hair escaped from the
smooth dark. tight braid at the back of
her head, nothing about her was ever
out of order.
| fancy she was nearer 40 than 80 at
this time, but know that Thomas
Trip, the coachman, was 40, for he
said so.
"Forty, and I'll be going on for an old
bachelor before long," he said. I've
got to look out and marry soon, haven't
/, Missus Cook"
Marriage, Mr.. Thomas" said Eliza
over her shoulder-she was busy with
pudding-''is a matter / haven't taken
much thought of, being spinstress my
self"
"Not by no means, Missus Cook" said
Thomas-'not by no means. A fine fig
ure Of woman, with opportunities to
change her condition, has no call to men,
ton herself by that name"
"Old maids is honorable" said Eliza.
SAY, and I've heard them say that
old bachelors was abominable, by way
OF making rhyme to it," said Thomas
Trip. I'm goin' to marry. How about
your
"P1 wait until somebody offers, and
then think it over" said Eliza.
1 was sitting ON the window sill eat
ing cake, and remember that 1 could
see no reason why Eliza should stop her
work and chase Thomas out of the
kitchen with dish towel at that mo-
ment, but he seemed to like it.
After that / used to find him there
very often. They were always sitting
ON chairs at great distance apart look
ing silly when came in, and Eliza al
ways thought that it would be better
for my health to ''go and eat my nice
cake in the garden, because the kitchen
was so warm"
Shortly it was known that Eliza Boer-
um and Thomas Trip were engaged to
be married, and would stay on in the
family in their several capacities.
We were quite excited about the we'd
ding, and the room above the coach
house was furnished with comparative
splendor.
1t was just at this time that Selma,
our somewhat venerable waitress. re-
tired on her savings, and it was neces-
sary to get a new girl in her place. 1t
was Eliza who begged my mother to
take Lofty Lavender.
"You see," said Eliza, sit will be such
wonderful thing for the girl to get into
good family. She's been let to run
about from one place to another, and she
never has dollar left to put away.
Being with young, giddy folks she fol-
lows them, but with settled people like
me and Mr.. Thomas she'll have no temp
tation. Her mother is friend of my
own, and she says only yesterday:
"'Oh, Liza, if she can have your good
example shall be truly thankful"
And so Lofty came to us. A pretty,
peach checked, blue eyed creature with
belt not half yard long, and coquet-
fish manner that made her very attract
i've to my young eyes.
In the kitchen at first it was quite
charming to see Lofty taking the advice
of those older and wiser than she, and
going to church with Thomas and Eliza
on Sunday evening; but alas! this is a
changeful world.
Young as l was l soon saw that
Thomas stared long and often at the new
waitress and was less devotedly atten-
tive to his Eliza. found Eliza alone in
the kitchen in very low spirited mood,
while Lofty was, knew, talking a walk
with Thomas. And one day at dessert
strange thing happened.
Lofty was just bringing in a dish of
fruit, walking with unusual airiness
and looking prettier than ever, when a
howl was heard upon the stairs, and l
saw Thomas rushing stableward with
his handkerchief to his eye, and at the
same instant Eliza appeared behind
Lofty with her fingers extended like
talons
In moment more the girls cap was
off, her embroidered apron in tatters,
the fruit dish on the ground, the peaches
and pears rolling about the floor, and
Eliza disappeared down the kitchen stairs,
dragging Lofty by her long, back hair
The minister and his wife were dining
with us. The situation was shocking.
sis the girl out of her mind?' asked
my father.
Temporarily, " replied mamma.
Then the minister's wife began to tell
a story of certain cook who went out
of her mind and murdered the whole
family, and was very much alarmed
for my own safety and that of the kitten.
Later, when we were alone, Eliza APP
peared before my mother, neat as usual,
but with swollen eyes.
81 suppose after the exhibition l have
made of myself, ma'am, had better
look for another place? It's past excuses,
know"
st was very shocking, Elizaw said
my mother, "but l prefer that Lofty
should go. have told her So"
"Maam," said Eliza, "you are an an
gel of forgiveness, and have feelin'
heart that is not given to most ladies.
but there Is circumstances that -
that
"T comprehend" said my mother. II
have spoken to your master, and Thomas
Trip is dismissed. feel sure that he
drinks, and that is always dangerous in
q coachman."
AT this Eliza burst into tears, s6bbed:
ga angel lady! and I'll never forgit
itr' and retired.
Meanwhile had visited Lofty in her
bedroom, where she was packing her
trunk. She had several long scratches
on her cheeks and some of her hair had
been pulled out. She spoke Of Eliza as
"that spitfre old maid" and threatened
to 'ehave the law of her." But 1 never
knew of her carrying out her threat, and,
shortly after, we heard that Mr.. Thomas
Trip was connected with a livery stable
and saw his name and that of Lofty
Lavender in the column of marriage
notices.
After that Eliza, as tidy as ever, but
much more grinN and exacting, continued
to cook for us.
The coachman, John Bangs, was .
plain, elderly man whose wife did ese
waiting. In the evening she sat VITA
Eliza, and in their conversation betrayed
serious doubts that one good woman
could be found in any other kitchen Of
tne United States-virtue being con-
oensed in hours. Upstairs girls were
generally spoken of as 0them crazv