The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1902-11-29
THE BACHELORS COOK

a fine street in a city, both Of which
shall be nameless. One day he adver-
tised for a cook. twenty-five young
women and ten old ones answered the
advertisement. Among the twenty-five
young women was a SHIN creature In
the shabbiest shawl and bonnet there,
with exactly enough flesh on her bones
to hold them together, but a 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 I have that
I've been trying to ear an honest liv-
Ing" said she.
can odd reference for . cook;'' said
he.
That's for character" said she.
I'll show you how I can cook. I'll
give practical proof of that"
"You are not a servant" said he.
"Not yet. I mean to be. I've been
sewing for a living, and I 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. ALI he said was:
81 like my steak broiled less"
After that he saw her onc in four
weeks regularly. She never said any
thing to him but "Thank We, sir" He
always found fault with something,
his eyes fixed on vacancy the while.
He was a trim and big bachelor of for
ty, with handsome black side whiskers.
She was thirty and a warm tinted
blond, not red barred, though the kitch-
en- girl thought SO. Her hair was II
tian's pet color. Outwardly she called
her master that bear" Secretly she
thought him very handsome.
One day the dinner came down un-
tasted.
"What fault has he found with 1t
nowT
"None," said the girl. "He's SICK"
At breakfast no n came to the ia
BILE.
Then the cook assembled the stairs
and, finding a pair of boots outside one
door, knocked at 1t.
"Come IT," said a faint voice.
She went in, and the result of her in
yestigation was a telegram to the doc
tor. Her master, who had always been
proud of not being v~accinated, had
caught the smallpox.
you'd better go. You'll catch it,"
said he.
"I'm 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 c~oncoction brought him for his
dinner.
what Is this? he asked.
"It's the best 1 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 goneY' 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. A month
passed: another week; then another;
IQeu Oue ttcAuhS ooMo ~A 800
bell.
"Cook is back and wants to see you."
said Bridget.
sThe 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.
"Tve come to see whether you want
ed me to cook for you again." said she.
mo" said he.
every we'll" said she.
"You had no business to 60 on that
way" said he.
"Who'd have taken care Of mel" she
asked.
at was my duty to see to that after
all you'd done for me" said he.
mot at ALL" said she. "And about
the wages? I don't want to hurry you,
h,< 7 uao6 tho mouey