The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-04-27

LON, you We come at an unlucky
time. | had very good cook, that l
got from Boston, at twenty dollars a
week; but she's high tempered wo-
man. Last evening she quarreled
with her assistants, this morning the
breakfast was all in confusion, and
now she's packing her trunk to leave
by the next train. In two or three
days I can probably get another one
down in her place; but what we're
to do meanwhile Idon't know"
"'But, Norton said 1, isn't there
some one near by or in the house who
can take it?'
"'I doubt it, he replied. I've half
a dozen girls from the vicinity doing
up stairs work-one of them from
your town, the best waiter in the din
ing-room. But suppose all of them
would either be afraid of the respon-
sibility or think it beneath them to
turn cook; though they would have
plenty of help, and earn twenty dol
lars where they now get three"
"Who's here from Greenland
asked, for / knew something of al
most every one in the place.
"'Mary Lyford.'
"'Mary Lyford? A black-eyed,
light-footed girl, about twenty years
old, with two brothers in Colorado
and her father a farmer over toward
Stratham?
"'Yes, the very same
"'Why, she's the prettiest girl in
Greenland-at least, I thought so
two years ago, when / danced with
her at the Thanksgiving party in the
village; and l heard last fall that
she took the prize at the Manchester
Fair for the best loaf of bread. Why
is she here?"
"'Oh, you know farmers haven't
much ready money; and suppose
she wanted to earn something for
herself, and to come to the Beach,
like the rest of us. You say she took
the premium for her bread. l believe
I'll go into the dining room and pro-
pose to give the cooks place to any
one of the girls who would like it
and who feels competent to take it, /
must do something and looking at
his watch, he went out.
"Ten minutes later he came back,
clapping his hands, and exclaimed:
"'Mary Lyford says she'll try it,
"'Hurrah for Greenland cried I.
isn't that plucky9 By Jove! | hope
she'll succeed, and | believe she will"
"'You mustn't expect much today
said Norton. Things are all topsy-
turvy in the kitchen, and it'll take
some time to get them Strengthened
out
"Just then new arrival claimed
his attention, and with a serener face
he turned away.
DINNER was poor that day; supper
was little better. And, in spite of
Norton's caution, l began to be afraid
that Greenland was going down. But
the next morning, what breakfast
we had-juicy steaks, hot potatoes.
delicious rolls and corn-bread, grid
die cakes that melted in your mouth,
and coffee that had lost none of its
aroma in the making. Thence forth
every meal was triumph.
The guests praised the table, and
fastened to their seats at the first
sound of the bell. Norton was radi-
ant with satisfaction, and was as
pleased as if 1 had been landlord or
cook myself. Several times l sent
my compliments and congratulations
to Mary; I never had glimpse OF
her till the night before was to
leave. l was dancing in the parlor,
and had just led young lady of the
Matilda Lane stamp to her mamma,
when saw Mary standing with the
dining-room girls on the piazza. |
went out, and shaking her cordially
by the hand, told her how interested
l had been in her success, and how
proud | was to find a Greenland girl
SO accomplished. She blushed and
thanked me, and said in a modest
way, that she was very glad if we
were all suited; and then Norton
came up and expressed his entire
qualification with what she had done
As she stood there in white pique
dress, with a scarlet bow at her
throat, and her dark hair neatly ar
ranged, she looked every inch lady.
"'Do me the favor, Miss Lyford,'
said /, to dance the next cotillion
with me-
"Ahl Mr.. Foster, she replied, look
ing archly at Norton, that lent ex-
pected of the help"
"'The 'help'p | said Indignantly.