Morris tribune., 1901-03-02
A Maid to Order.
A Story Touching on the Serv-
ant Question.

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THE table was charming. The pearly
expanse of damask that infolded ii
was one of the Misses Dormond's most
treasured possessions, saved out Of a
general wreck Of family fortunes.
A>I,x The old fashioned silver, Of those in,
inlitable patterns which no modern
shop can supply, cleaned like irregu-
-aarly shaped planets at intervals across
>, the cloth
SAse2Moreover, a daffodil bulb cherished
tn window sill warmth had obligingly
thrown out handful Of blossoms.
This pot, sheathed in yellow tissue pa
per, made a thoroughly attractive cen
!. terpfece
q ut is simply lovely" said Winifred,
with little sigh of relief and satisfac-
ton. 81 shan't be in the least afraid
turned upon it, even though you are a
candidate for her secretaryship, Isabel,
and so much does depend upon making
a good impression"
1.-The house couldn't fail to make a
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 a toe. There's just one
Esthfng lacking. l do wish we had a
good maid to wait on the table. l hate
those embarrassing breaks in home
4 luncheon where the hostess is obliged
TO cut off in the middle of a sentence
and bolt into the kitchen to bring the
broiled SQUAD course to table,"
Eyes. That's always wretchedly en-
sbarrassing," Isabel agreed. cts hard
er on the guests than the hostess too.
However, there's no help for it. We
don't keep a 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,
vino pirouetted into the room just in
time to hear the last half of the SEN
fence.
Isabel and were lamenting that we
didn't have a maid to serve the lunch
con, Gertrude. We were saying how
hostess to jump up to remove the plates
> after a course and to bring the next
course to table,"
Il never thought Of that" Gertrude
acqufesced 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
kind of thing won't do when we're en-
pertaining Mrs. Caulkington. She's so
critical that her eyes burn holes in
anything they fall on. We wouldn't
mind her little peculiarities if she were
merely an acquaintance, burt if Isabel is
going to demand big, fat salary she
must make big, fat impression. I'm
sure Mrs. Caulkington would cut her
down half if she knew how poor we are
and how badly we need that secretary
ship. Something must be DONE"
Gertrude, dear, you know perfectly
well that nottingham be done. There
are only two hours left, and in any case
you can't secure girl here in the coun-
try to come in for just one day."
81 know that, but whisht, my dear!
An idea dawns in my brain! Let it
nature
GsAnvidea for what? For getting us
IDaidY
eyes, my dear-a ready maid, SO to
speak"
''Silly! Do you think Isabel and I
have time to waste upon your vapor-
ingsY'
"a ready maid-no, a maid to order!
Don't talk to me for three minutes. /
feel the idea grow in my cerebrum, and
it really is good one"
The young lady sat down in the little
oaken window seat and buried her face
in her hands.
Three minutes later she sprang up
and pirouetted triumphantiy around
the charming table.
"Huzza! rye solved the problem"
she cried. "And Tll~stand for it that
you shall have maid to serve Mrs
Caulkington's luncheon. A stunning
maid, well trained, light footed, soft
voiced: a maid who will not send so
much as one plate Of raw oysters down
the back of your guest; who will do
things without diagrams and will not
1nuse the downfall and destruction Of
precious willow pattern china. In fact,
the maid propose to offer you will be
IN explanatory key with copious illus
trations to the entire servant question"