Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-03-15
A Maid to Order.
a Story Touching on the Serv-
ant Question

Inc taple was charming. Inc peariy
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.
The old fashioned silver. OF those in-
imltable 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 obligingly
thrown out a handful OF blossoms.
This pot, sheathed in yellow tissue pa
per. made n thoroughly attractive Gen.
terpiece.
cit 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 1t. 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
good impression" Isabel broke in. 'eIt
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 of In the middle OF sentence
and bolt into the kitchen to bring the
brolled squad course to table,"
eyes. That's always wretchedly en-
10 ~.gv T., II
er on the guests than the hostess too.
However. there's no help for II. We
don't keep a maid, and this suburb isn't
a place where you can find q girl to
call In for day at time. It's pity,
but It can't be helped"
"What is pity, but can't be helped p
demanded the youngest Miss Dormond,
who pirouetted into the room Just In
time 10 hear the last half OF the SEN
tence.
Isabel and l were lamenting that we
didn't have a maid to serve the lunch
con, Gertrude. We were saying how
desperately embarrassing 1t is for
hostess to jump up to remove the plates
after course and to bring the next
course to table,
81 never thought OF that Gertrude
acquiesced In 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-
tertaining Mrs. Caulkington- She's so
critical that her eyes burn holes In
anything they fall on. We wouldn't
mind her little peculiarities II she were
merely an acquaintance. but If Isabel Is
going to demand n big. fat salary she
must make a big, fat impression. In
sure Mrs. Caulkington would cut bel
down half II 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. Their
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"
, AT know that, but whisht. my dear
An idea dawns In my brain! Let 1
maturer'
} IAN idea for what2 For getting us .
maidr'
} Eyes. my dear-a ready maid. SO Il
} speak"
} "Snly! Do you think Isabel and
have time to waste upon your vapor
ingsT
"a ready maid-no. a maid to order
Don't talk to me for three minutes.
feel the idea grow In my cerebrum. anC
1t really is a good one"
The young lady sat down in the LITTLE
J oaken window seat and buried her fac,
in her hands.
Three minutes later she sprang VI
j and pirouetted triumphantly aroun,
the charming table.
!. "Huzzai I've solved the problem,
r she cried. "And I'll stand for 1t tina
you shall have a maid to serve Mrs
e Caulkington's luncheon. stunning
e maid. well trained, light footed. sof
voiced; a maid who Will not send s.
Q much as one plate OF raw oysters dow
the back OF your guest; who will d
e things without diagrams and will no
! cause the downfall and destruction o
precious willow pattern china. In fact
!. the maid propose to offer you will b
I an explanatory key with copious illus
= trations to the entire servant question.
Gertrude's sisters were very far fror
despising the girls ready Imagination
1t had often helped to solve an econom
O ic problem which they themselves ma
}. abandoned In despair. But this crisI
y OF the maid to order seemed consider
T ably beyond Gertrude even, and the
{ frankly announced themselves skeI
e tics.
:. do you mean to look for your RI
e markable maid here in the suburb Q
l. elsewhereY' they demanded.
81 shall procure her In the city. o.
9 rather, ] shall go on a trip to tn
; city, and I will send the maid to 20
II In my absence"
, "But. Gertrude! If you leave mo-
g for the city you won't have time. child
to get back Cor Mrs. Caulkington
- luncheon"
r. ''rm not afraid but I'm glad OF q
~ excuse to absolve myself. I'm In av