The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-03-27
A Maid to Order.
A Story Touching on the Serv-
ant Question.

ant Question. x
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The table was charming. The pearly
expanse of damask that infolded it
was one Of the Misses Dormond's most
treasured possessions, saved out of
general wreck Of family fortunes
The old fashioned silver, of those in
fmitable patterns which no modern
shop can supply, CLEANED like irregu-
larly shaped planets at intervals across
the CLOTH
Moreover, a daffodil bulb cherished
in window sill warmth had obligihgly
thrown out a handful Of blossoms.
This pot, sheathed in yellow tissue pa
per, made a thoroughly attractive cen
terpiece
1T is simply lovely" said Winifred,
with a little sigh of relief and satisfac-
ton. Il shant 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
good impression"
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 a toe. There's just one
thing lacking. l do wish we had
good maid to wait on the table. hate
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"
Yes. 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
don't keep maid. and this suburb isn't
a place where you can find girl to
call in for day at time. It's a pity.
but it can't be helped
What is a pity, but can't be lelped?"
demanded the youngest Miss Dornond,
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 a maid to serve the lunch
con. Gertrude. We We're saying how
desperately embarrassing it is for a
hostess to jump up to remove the plates
after 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
kind of thing won't do when we're en-
tertainih,g 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. but if Isabel is
| going to demand big. fat salary she
must make a big, fat impression. In
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 nothing can be done. There
are only two hours left, and in any case
you can't secure a girl here in the coun-
try to come in for just one day.
Il know that. but whisht, my dear!
An idea daWns in my brain. Let it
mature!''
IAN idea for what? For getting us a
maid ~
Yes. my deara ready maid. so to
speak
SILLY! Do you think Isabel and
have time to waste upon your vapor-
/ ings?
"A ready maid-no. 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
i'll her hands.
Three minutes later she sprang up
and pirouetted triumphantly around
the charming table.
.sHnzza! I've, solved the problem
she cried. And I'll stand for it that
you shall have maid to serve Mrs.
Caulkington's luncheon. A stunning
maid, well trained, light footed. soft
voiced; maid who will not send so
much as one plate Of raw oysters down
the back Of your guest: who will do