The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-04-12
A Maid to Order.
A Story Touching on the serv-
ant Question.

!
expanse of damask that infolded it
was one of the Misses Dormond's most \
treasured possessions, saved ont of 9
general wreck Of family fortunes.
The old fashioned silver, of those in
imitable patterns which no modern I
shop can supply, cleaned like irregu-
larly shaped planets at intervals across |
the cloth. /
Moreover, a daffodil bulb cherished I
in window sill warmth had obligingly [
thrown out handful of blossoms. /
This pot, sheathed in yellow tissue pa /
per, made thoroughly attractive cen
terpiece.
ut is simply lovely, said Winifred,
with little sigh of relief and satisfac-
ton. Il shan't be in the least afraid
to have Mrs. Caulkington's eagle eye
turned upon it, even though you are
candidate for her secretaryship, Isabel,
and so much does depend upon making
a good impression"
1.-THE house couldn't fail to make
good Impression" Isabel broke in. 1T
Is clean and sweet and old fashioned
from top to toe. One can't say that a
house has toe. There's just one
thing lacking. l do wish we had
good maid to wait on the table. l hate
1 those embarrassing breaks in a home
luncheon, where the hostess is obliged
to cut off in the middle of sentence
and bolt into the kitchen to bring the
broiled SQUAD course to table"
Eyes That's always wretchedly en-
barrassing," Isabel agreed. Its hard
er on the guests than the hostess too.
However, there's no help for it, We
J don't keep maid, and this suburb isn't
a place Where you can find a girl to
call in for day at a time. It's pity,
but it can't be helped
what is pity, but can't be helped?'
demanded the youngest Miss DOrmond.
who pirouetted into the room just in
time to hear the last half of the SEN
tence.
Isabel and We're lamenting that we
didn't have maid to serve the lunch
con, Gertrude. We were saying how
desperately embarrassing it is for a
hostess to jump up to remove the plates
after a course and to bring the next
course to table,
II never thought of that" Gertrude
acquiesced in a disappointed tone.
"Our entertaining has always been SO
informal we're. likely to make the
guests change the plates and bring in
.the courses from the kitchen them
selves. But it's true, as you say, that
I kind Of thing won't do when We're en-
\ tertafning Mrs. Caulkington. She's SC
critical that her eyes burn holes in
anything they fall on. We wouldn't
mind her little peculiarities if she were
merely an acquaintance, but if Isabel j:
going toNdemand a big, fat salary, sht
must make big, fat impression. I'm
sure Mrs. Caulkington would cut he
down half if she knew how poor we arr
and how badly we need that secretary
ship. Something must be DONE"
Gertrude. dear, you know perfectl.
we'll that nothing can be done. Their
are only two hours left, and in any cas-
you can't secure girl here in the coun
try to come in for just one day.
II know/that. but whisht, my dear
An idea dawns in my brain! Let
mature.'
IAN idea for what?, For getting us
maid?''
"Yes, my. dear-a ready maid. so t
speak
'Silly! Do you think Isabel and
have time to waste upon your yapol
ings?,.
"a ready maid-no. maid to order
Don't talk to me for three minutes.
feel the idea grow immy cerebrum, an
it really is d good one"
The young lady sat down in the litti
oaken window seat and buried her fac
in her hands
Three minutes later she sprang u
and pirouetted triumphantly aroun
= the charming table.
''Huzza! I've solved the problem,
she cried. 'And I'll stand for it the
YOU shall have a maid to- serve MIR
Caulkington's luncheon. A stunnin
maid. well trained. light footed, so
voiced; a maid who will not send $
much as one plate of raw oysters dow
Z the back of yohr guest; who will q
things without diagrams and will NJ
cause the downfall and destruction {
34t precious WHOM pattern cuiud. II lay
the maid propose to offer, you will
an explanatory key with copious illu
trations to the<entire servant question
Gertrude's sisters were very far fro
despising the girls ready imaglnatio
1t had often helped to solve an cconol
ic problem which they themselves hi
abandoned in despair. But this crs
of the maid to order seemed conside
ably beyond Gertrude even ard TIT
i frankly announced themselves ske
tics.
"Do you mean to look for your |
Nmarkable maid here in the suburb
elsewhereT they demanded.
81 shall procure her in the city, {
rather, shall go on trip to 7
city, and will send the maid to "
I in my absence"
.But, Gertrude! If you leave nc
for the city you won't have time, chi