Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-02-12
HER DOUBLE.

found himself one morning in that
state to which the father of a family
residing in the rural districts is so
often reduced-cookless Maud Matilda
Emelina Skinner, who had condescend-
ed to accept the place, having departed
in wrath because of bitter argument
concerning the pudding.
so, bring new cook home with you.
DEAR" said Mrs. Savage, as she gave
him her parting salute. l can't leave
the children, you know, while sister
Olivia is away, and l can't take the
whole tribe with me-
Mr.. Savage promised to do his best,
and, having made a promise, he never
broke it; but his task was hard one.
Not Cook, of all who sat airing their
heels in the intelligence Office, would
condescend to accept. a situation in
Pottsville. Contemptuous glances,
shifts and scornful twists of the head
were his portion, whether he made his
modest request to Bridget, Gretchen,
Mary Ann or Dinah. Even French
woman, who represented herself as be-
ing able to do anything, and willing to
oblige, clasped her hands and exclaim-
ed:
1.-THE country! All, gracious heaven!
Monsieur must see the absurdity-but,
no.
And poor Mr. Savage was in despair,
when there at last stood before him a
small and very dark-colored girl, who,
having listened to his explanations and
remarks, replied to them by asking ii
there were other servants.
well no. said Mr.. Savage, there
are not, but"
Then, of course, have bedroom to
MYSELF"
ooh, yes, yes said Mr.. Savage.
Then I'll come" said the girl. "Tll
just take the directions, and then"
But you'd better go up with me, -
said Mr.. Savage.
ne girl neSlldUSu d ulOUleul.
81 may tell my friends I'm going?
I'll not be gone moment" said she.
Mr.. Savage assented. The girl de-
parted, but returned in few moments,
and Mr.. Savage took his new cook home
in triumph, to the great joy of Mrs. s..
who watched them from the nursery
window as they came up the road.
When questioned by her new mistress
the girl proved respectful and appar-
emily capable. She stated that she had
just come from the South, that she had
been a slave before the war and was
brought up as a cook by 'old missus. "
She gave her name as Peggy and de-
clared herself anxious to suit. And
having given satisfactory answers to
all interrogatories, she set herself zeal
ously to work at dishwashing without
de1ay.l
"a perfect treasure" Mrs. Savage de-
clared; decidedly a perfect treasure"
There was no cause to change their
opinion next day, nor the next. On the
third night, however, Mr.. Savage was
surprised, on alighting from the train
at the depot, to see Peggy, in her black
straw hat and waterproof cloak, stand
irg on the platform. He addressed
>er, but she did not answer him, and
he hastened home, wondering what had
happened that the treasure" should
Awe been dismissed so suddenly. To
his surprise Peggy opened the door for
him.
We'll, Peggy, you must have walked
fast to get here before me-" he said,
PLEASANTLY.
reggy made courtesy, but said moth
ing.
Il saw you at the depot, didn't II"
said Mr.. Savage.
please, sir, don't know" said Peg
gy.
You've been there?"
mot to my knowledge, sir"
Her way of being polite and leaving
at all to me-" said Mr.. Savage to him.
self. But, though he discovered that
Peggy had not left the house all day,
he could scarcely believe that he had
seen her.
That very evening another odd thing
happened. Little Tom Savage, going
to the barn to look for lost chicken,
came in with a story.
81 thought I saw ghost, mother, -
he said. 1T was standing by the well,
looking ever so funny, but just as l was
going to run l saw it was Peggy, all
wrapped up in something"
Peggy has been standing just there
chopping beef ever since you went out, .
said his mother, pointing to the kitchen
door.
1t was no more Peggy than it was a
ghost, but the boy persisted in his
statement. He was so obstinate, in
deed, that he was sent to bed in some
disgrace for contradicting his mother.
Mr.. Savage slept late next morning
and was aroused by the breakfast bell.
AS he hurried downstairs, consulting
his watch he saw the door of the scr