The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-10-20
MARY GREATREX.

Not many years ago there lived in small
town in Yorkshire an old maid who was
known throughout the district as the
cheese cake maker. Her name was Mary
Greatrex, and no one in that land of cakes
could fashion a cheese cake like her. Where
fore she was famous for that delicious COM
fit, and people from far and near came to
her for supply whenever they were about
to have company"
Many were the carriages that stopped at
Mary's door to leave orders and to carry
away dainty little baskets of her cheese
cakes. 1t was universally confessed that
no one in that neighborhood could touch
her in this particular line, even though
they proceeded according to her method.
Some went so far as to affirm that there
was something in the shape Of Mary's hand
that accounted for her mastery, and they
would attempt to explain in support OF
their theory what a beautiful hand she had
how long and taper the fingers. how fine
the skin, and SO forth.
It might likewise have been added that
as her hand SO was the build of her body
generally. In short, Mary Greatrex was a
decidedly comely woman-tall as women
go, straight and slim, with regular oval
face, blue eyes and a kindly, well shaped
mouth. At the time of our story her hair
was almost white, although she was barely
40 years of age. But trouble makes more
gray hairs than age.
Mary's trouble had been the death Of all
her relatives one after another. leaving her
at last without a single blood relation, so
far as she knew, in the wide world. One
of her friends, an old maid like herself,
used to say she must have relatives some
where, if she could but find them.
But they did not make their appearance,
and SO Mary Greatrex ceased to hope for
them, but prayed instead that she might
be given some object to love and to be 8
comfort to her in her old age.
81 should prefer it to be girl" she ex-
planned to an old friend because then l
could teach her to make cheese cakes, and
that would be something for her. used to
think James Rae wanted me chiefly because
was a good hand at cheese cakes"
"What became of him?" queried the
other.
somewhere"
When she was once more alone, busy with
her knitting, Mary recalled the time when
James Rae pleaded for her hand, and she
had replied that she could not marry a
drunkard.
Her friends talk about Rae had stirred
up her recollections, and in her sleep he APP
peared again before her. She thought she
was married to him and that he was harsh
and cruel to her, so that when she woke
and found it was but a dream she was glad
even though in her dream she was the de-
lighted mother of beautiful baby girl.
On going to open her shop door Mary
heard a wailing outside as of a little babe
and found one there wrapped up in an old
shawl.
1t was comedy little thing Of about or
9 months old apparently. There was not
a scrap of anything to indicate whence it
came or to whom it belonged, except the
word "Elsie" on one of it's garments.
Mary thought the little creature was a
present from heaven, and though she made
diligent inquiry to discover, if possible, who
were it's parents she was glad when no one
could be found to own her.
One day-fve years later-a big, dark,
bushy bearded man, whom Mary fancied
she had seen pass the shop on several oc-
casions, went in and asked for a couple of
cheese cakes. These he ate and then asked
for another and another until he had eaten
q dozen Mary felt inclined to refuse him
more for fear he should do himself harm.
But while he was lingering the thirteenth
Elsie bounded into the shop, and the man
turned round with a start and let the cheese
cake fall. He stopped to pick it up, and as
he did SO be beckoned to the little girl, at
the same time holding out the confection
as bride.
Slowly Elsie approached him. Then,
turning to Mary. he asked If he might give
her the cake.
Eyes" she replied, there is nothing in it
to hurt her."
The man watched the little one eat it,
bending On ono knee the while. Then ne
rose and said:
.She's q little beauty, ma'am, and I've
no doubt as intelligent as she is pretty"
About a week later Mary saw the same
man hanging about just after dusk. When
he perceived that he was observed, he
walked away This happened again week
or two later, and she feared the man in
tended to carry off her darling Wherefore
she'had Elsie conveyed secretly to friend
in a village few miles away.
Mary did not see the man again and was
in hourly dread lest he should find out
where the child was and manage to kidnap
her At length she received q letter bear
ing Hull address asking her if she would
give up Elsie to her father on payment of
the charges to which she had been put for
her keep. The letter was signed Thomas
Walker"
Mary wrote to walker" asking him to
call and see her if he were really the father
Of Elsie.
A few days later she received q visit from
the man who had eaten the dozen cheese
cakes. Seated together in her little sitting
room, Mary questioned the man as to his
reasons for leaving Elsie as he did.
Il was in great trouble" he said. Il
aad just lost my wife, the little ones
mother, and had been long time out Of
work. l was at my wits end to know what
20 do with her, as there was not soul
sould trust her TO, penniless as was
Had you no relatives who would take