The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-04-19
THE NEW COOK.

| w c may live HltEOul COHsC.cHCt anu i've WlluOul
heart,
| We may live without friends, We may live without
books.
| But civilized men cannot live without cooks"
"There is one thing you must not
forget, Toni whats that, Emma?"
"To engage cook, The new girl
is good for nothing, and the other cant
! do everything. Young or old, man or
woman, l don't care, only send me a
competent cook by eleven o'clock this
morning"
Don't look so desperate, Emma, III
remember. 1 want things myself in
pretty good style for Maxwell; he is
used to it-fond of good dinners; I'll
send first-class man cook" and Mr..
Thomas South disappeared with an as.
suring nod. He had proyerbially
poor memory as pretty Emma South
knew very well; yet in this desperate
emergency she was obliged to trust
him.
During the two years she had been
in charge of her widowed brothers
family they Lad been blessed with a
skilful cook: but Jane had recently
married and her place was supplied by
one who proved incapable.
Just at this juncture Mr.. South re-
ceived tidings that his deceased wife's
favorite brother, Arthur Maxwell, who
had just returned from abroad, would
visit him. From the first Miss South
had been very nervous over the re-
sponsibility of entertaining this report.
ed elegant young man whom she had
never seen.
1t was halfpast- eight o'clock when
Mr.. South left his home He was ex-
pected to return with Mr.. Maxwell at
halfpast four.
"There," sighed Emma, when two
hours after her brothers departure,
the house was in its usual exquisite or.
der, and the materials and flowers for
dinner had arrived. "If Tom doesn't
forget, all if he sends good cook,
everything will be lovely"
She hardly dared think of Toms
poor memory, or the possibility that a
cook might not arrive. Precisely at
eleven o'clock the door bell rang. A
medium-sized, well-dressed, modest
looking young man stood at the en-
trance.
IL am glad you are so punctual; l
feared we should be disappointed" she
said, leading the way to the kitchen.
"We are expecting company from
abroad and must have a frst-class din
ner. What is your name?"
The mans reply was faint, but Miss
South thought she understood it.
"Mac? Why, you don't look like
an Irishman. But that makes no
difference. Are you competent
cook?"
The smile Of the young man was
puzzling as he replied
"I'll do my best"
"There's nothing in the house but
cold chicken continued Emma, un-
consciously wiring her little hands as
she continued to address the new cook
who certainly listened very attentively
''But my brother has sent some pigeons
to be roasted, suppose?"
"Yes'm"
"Can you make celery salad?'
II think So"
"And Mayonnaise sauce for the cold
chicken?'
"Yes'm."
'Can you make French soup?"
"Yes'm"
"Oh, well; l think then you will do.
Be sure the vegetables are not over
done, and The coffee gool-my brother
is very particular about his coffee.
And we will have a Florentine pud-
ding?" with an inquiring look.
"Yes'm."
The new cook, girdling himself with
one Of The white towels that lay on the
dresser, turned his attention to the
range fire.
Quite assured, Emma graciously
added
81 will lay the table today, Mac, also
attend to the frui' S and flowers and
the young housekecper withdrew.
She piled TIC dishes with rosy
pears, golden oranges, and white
grapes; filled the vases with roses, lilies
and ferns, and placed dainty glasses.
filled with amber jelly, on the table.
"l'l. not go near the kitchen. Mac
ought to be capable and believe will
prove a treasure,' Emma commented
as she went to her room.
IL wonder If Mr.. Arthur Maxwell is
very faslilious in the matter of dress"
she mused, standing before the glass
and what his first impression will be.
| should like to have poor Ally's
brother like me-"
At length the bracelets were clasp
ed, the last touch given to her toilet,
and Emma repaired to the drawing
room.
Carriages passed, but none stopped
at her door, At the usual hour Mr.
South's latchkey ratified in the door,
and the dinner-bell rang.
"Has Arthur come p lie asked, as
Emma went to meet him.