Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-12-19
THE BACHELOR 8 COOK

tised for a cook. twenty-five young
women and ten old ones answered the
advertisement. Among the twenty-five
young women was a slim creature in
the shabbiest shawl and bonnet there,
with exactly enough flesh on her be- IS
TO hold them together, but lady ev-
cry inch of her,
Reference" he said to her as she
sat before him.
She took off a mended glove and
showed him a forefnger rough as a
nutmeg with much sewing.
There's the only proof have that
I've been trying to earn an honest llv-
ing" said she.
IAN odd reference for cook" said
he
That's for character" said she.
I'll show you how l can cook. I'll
give practical proof of that"
"You are not a servant" said he.
Not yet. mean TO be. I've been
sewing for a living, and l am sick of
It," said she.
He named the wages and took her
down into the kitchen. where the
young person who was general assist
ant received her with a bewildered
stare.
After that he did not see her for four
weeks. but his meals were delicious.
At the end of the time he went down
stairs to pay her wages. 1t was late
in the evening. A plump lady with
pink cheeks sat before the fire stoning
raisins. He did not know her at first.
but as the knowledge dawned on him
he realized how nearly she had been
to starvation on the day when he hired
her. All he said was:
Il like my steak broiled less"
After that he saw her once in four
weeks regularly. She never said any
thing to him but Thank ye, sir" He
always found fault with something
his eyes fixed on vacancy the while.
He was trim and big bachelor of for
ty, with handsome black side whiskers.
She was thirty and a warm tinted
blond, not red haired, though the kitch-
en- girl thought so. Her hair was I'll
tian's pet color. Outwardly she called
her master that bear" Secretly she
thought him very handsome.
One day the dinner came down I'M
tasted.
what fault has he found with it
now?"
None" said the girl. Hes sick"
At breakfast no one came to the TIA
BILE
Then the cook assembled the stairs
and, finding a pair of boots outside one
door, knocked at it.
"Come i'm said a faint voice
She went in. and the result of her in
vestigation was telegram 10 the doc
tor. Her master, who had always been
proud of not being vaccinated. had
caught the smallpox.
You'd better so. You'll catch it,"
said he.
Pm not afraid" said she. "Some-
body must stay, you know"
She stayed. AS he got better he re-
warded her-as convalescent men al
ways do reward their nurses-by
scolding her and finding fault with ev-
erything.
One day. however. he. being well,
though still in quarantine, had some
vile connection brought him for his
dinner.
what is this?" he asked.
Its the best | could do" said Bird
get. who. having been a victim to the
disorder in her childhood. had no fear
of it. Cook has gone off"
.Where has she gomez" asked the
master.
ITO the hospital" said Bridget. "She
did be getting the smallpox, and she
went"
He tried in vain to discover her
whereabouts, but Bridget showed sa-
gacity. The wages are owing and the
trunks in the bedroom. Cook will come
back"
So THE master" waited. \ month
passed; another week: then another;
then one evening some one rang the
bell.
Cook is back and wants to see you,"
said Bridget.
The master went into the parlor.
There sat the long absent woman Her
hair had been cut short and curled up
about her temples. but her complexion
was not spoiled. though she was thin
and worn again.
i've come to see whether you want
ed me to cook for you again" said she.
"No." said he.
VERY we'll" said she.
'You had no business to go off that
way" said he.
who'd have taken care Of me-" she
asked.
1T was my duty to see to that after
all you'd done for me-" said he.
Not at ALL" said she. And about
the wages? | don't want to hurry you'
but / need the money"
"Oh. you dO?' said he
Then he sat down near her.
"Wbat a bear was to you" said he.
Yes. indeed" said she