The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-09
Mr.. CANTIRE'S SERVANT.
A GaOsTLY COOK, DOOMED FOR A
TIME TO WANDER AS IN LIFE.

able Widowe AID Frightened His
Guests Into Nervous Fits-She
Smelled the Pudding Burning and
just Faded Away-A Model Servant
From the Spirit World, Who Couldn't
Stay Long in One Place.
From the Chicago Times
My friend Cantire told me these facts coon
after the final catastrophe, and as he had
always been a man of absolute truthful ness
and sanity 1 saw no reason to doubt his
story, strange as it was.
Cantlre was a widower with two children,
a girl of 9 and boy Of Z years. He had
no available maiden aunt or sister to con-
duct his domestic affairs, and had been de-
pendent on housekeepers and cooks for sew
eral years. He had tried various expedients,
sometimes combining cook and housemaid
in one high-priced article and again taking
two servants. At the time of the events of
which am about to tell there had been a
general eruption. The cook and maid both
left the same day, and Cantire was Obliged
to send his children to a sisters while he
surveyed the field.
II was a sitting in the library that night
trying to read the Forum and thinking
where on earth l would find cook at the
same time, said Cantire. 81 had fully made
up nv mind that il | ever did find really
good servant l would marry her rather
than let her escape. | consoIed myself by
Shrinking that Fielding and Goethe had mar
ried their servants, and IL seemed to me on
the whole about the most sensible thing
either of them had ever done. even COM
templated writing an essay on the evidences
of genius that man gave who married his
housekeeper. 1t seemed to me a vastly in
tereshng subject.
"Well, 1 was sitting there trying to con-
coct an enticing ad. for the Star. heard
a soft cough-a young woman stood before
me. She was plainly dressed in brown and
carried black Vanished yalise in her right
hand. 1t was late in the evening, and, be-
sides my natural surprise at seeing
woman, there was something queer about
her. She didn't seem 20 be distinct-there
was something vague and nebulous about
her face that puzzled me.
What do you want, MADAME I asked,
recovering myself. ,..-.
81 heard you wanted cook and came to
see if l could get the place, she answered,
putting her valisa on the floor and standing
by it.
Take seat and we'll see about it,
wanted to ask her why she walked in with
out ringing, but was too anxious for q serv-
ant to risk my chances. l looked at her
again as she sat in my leather armchair.
Her outlines actually seemed to merge into
the leather.
Perhaps, SIR she said, crossing her thin
hands, Il ought to tell you that am a ghost
that is why l came in so suddenly"
IA ghost!' exclaimed.
YES she replied sadly, but wanted a
place and thought perhaps you wouldn't
mind. Women are generally so nervous about
such things. l am very good, plain cook,
and think could do all your work. being
only three in the family
But l can't marry ghostP l exclaimed,
for my train of thought had about arrived
at a matrimonial conclusion.
Certainly not, SIR she answered, with
dignity; 4 couldn't think of it,
Il was somewhat plqued at her evident
sureness of not wanting me.
:" Il should be willing to take you on trial, ,
| finally said, but don't like your way of
coming init disconcerts me-
1 will try to remember TO come In like
a mortal. 1t was very careless of me to for
GET she answered
Very well. You may stay then. The
usual wages, supposep
"She nodded.
when l showed her to her room she fol-
lowed me up the stairs like a fellow mortal
except that could hear no foot fall.
"'Good night she said at her door. I
will have breakfast ready by s O'clock
when l woke up next morning 1 had
forgotten my new servant, and intended to
go to the hotel as usual. As walked through
the hall the fragrance of coffee and chops
fiosted from the dining room. remembered
last nights event with a start and went at
once to the dining room. The table was
neatly set, and she-lt occurred to me that
hadn't asked her name-was putting on the
neatly Drowned chops.
"'Good morning. l hope am prompt.
The chops came from that corner butcher
shop she said.
al i6Okad ar INV laokad ooa
minute of 8. Admirable l answered.
did you find your way around the kitchenr
40, yes, cir; if you wish anything ring
"She disappeared, and had a suspicion
that she had forgotten to go through the
door. l had an excellent breakfast, and
after short interview about dinner left the
house. Dinner was as prompt and appetite
Ing as breakfast. proposed to have few
fellows in the evening. She assented with
delightful alacrity. l had half expected she
would raise her eyebrows and declare she
had enough to do without any extras.
But she only said, What would you likeP
In her thin, quiet voice. had resolved to
let the children stay month with their aunt
while experimented with my spirit cook.
I'VE were jolly party of six. You were
out OF town. l remember going after you.
She waited on US. The soup-gumbo-was
perfect | noticed Jack Collins following
her with his eyes, and oncs when she
touched his hand he jumped.
you've got deuoedly queer cook Can
tire he said, after she had left the room.
When her hand touched mine it was like ice.
Maybe there's something the matter with
my eyes, but l can't for the life of me sep
Rrate her from the furniture
I'VE laughed at Jacks fancy, and the
dinner went on successfully, but Jack still
watched the cook closely, and presently he
jumped up exclalming excitedly: BY Jove,
she's disappeared, Cantire! She was stand
ing behind your chair a second ago, and l
saw her simply melt away
The other fellows looked at Jack as if
Trey thought he was drunk. Birdsell
whispered something TO him and he sat down
I've got beastly headache, boys, Jack
said, putting his hand on his temple. If
you'H excuse me l guess I'll lie down in the
library Bit
He went out, and Birdsell explained that
he was apt to be little Eighty when he had
bad head
Il thought perhaps other dinner parties
mad better be postponed until my cook
learned a little more of our mortal ways.
When | reproached her for disappearing
she hung her head and confessed she had
forgotten. You see, thought the pudding
was burning, and | took the quickest way
out she eXDlainad aDnIouatiCaliv