Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-08-04
UNDERTAKE
AND THE COOK

BY OPIE READ.

/ had scolded his daughter for
keeping company with a young fell
low named Handy, and had discharged
his cook-two things well calculated
to upset the mind of a methodical a
The charge under which young Handy
rested or was resting was the fact
that he was poor and not overindustri-
Gus. The girl begged her father to see
Mr.. Handy, and have a talk with him,
but Timberlake replied: Il don't want
to see him any more than l have, at a
distance, and that is the only way l
want you to see him in the future"
His daughter was an obedient girl,
and she said that she would respect
his wishes.
An advertisement for a cook was put
in a newspaper, and Timberlake stayed
at home all day to listen to the jingle
of the door-bell. He was a neat man,
but he was not so particular about his
clothes as he was about a cook. He
said that a woman who could cook a
beefsteak wa worth her weight in
gold, and he was willing to give her
gold. He could pass over Indifferent
soup, Xcus poor coffee, but his steak
must be up to a certain standard. At
last, along toward evening, he selected
a red-looking woman who seemed in
dignant when he asked her if she could
broil a beefsteak. He kept her one
day, and then told her to go. The
advertisement was again inserted, and
this time he left the selection to his
wife. That night his steak was per-
feet. Two days later he said to his
wife, Send that cook to me. l want
to see her"
When the woman came into the din
ing room Undertake gave her a hard
look. She was tall, rather awkward
not well rounded, and with hair that
looked like a raveled rope. But he
was not hiring appearances.
Where did you learn to cook a
steak?" he asked.
Il used to cook for the officers or
Governors island" she answered.
well, I want to make a contract
with you to stay with me for a year
Are you willing to sign it?"
Eyes, sir. 1t doesn't make much
difference where I stay, so long as
receive my wages regularly and am
we'll treated"
He drew up a contract, and the cool
signed MARY Ann White"
Now everything went well. Young
McWilliams, who called on Timber.
lake one day at the factory, found hin
in fine humor. McWilliams had beer
keeping company" with Florence
The young fellow twisted about wher
he sat down, and mumbled that "h'
didn't know exactly how to get at wha
he wanted to say" Undertake re
piled that "the only way to get at {
thing was to march up to it."
But it is Of a delicate nature sale
McWilliams. "And the fact is, I MAJ
be wrong in speaking to you on the sub
ject before l have spoken to you
daughter"
ooh, and 1t is concerning her. Well
out with it."
"Why J. am very much attached tt
her, and would like to marry her."
well" said Timberlake, II don
see anything so ALFRED delicate abou
that. It's a very natural procedure.
Eyes, sir; and l thought I'd come t.
you before I spoke to her, and get 20,
to plead my cause in case you wer
willing"
very considerable, sir, the way sucl
affairs should be conducted. I believ
you own that white house out on tn
Mayfield road. Any mortgage on it?
mo, sir; 1t is Free"
Very commendable. Well, I'll speal
TO Florence this evening. Call aroun'
tomorrow"
That night Timberlake requested hi
daughter to go with him into tn
library. He reminded her that ever
father must feel anxious c%oncernin
his daughter. A son was an oak shrut
but a daughter was a rose bush.
But to what does all this lead" sh
asked.
"My dear, want to see you married.
II am willing to marry--Mr. Hamb,
when he m back rich from tn
Klondike."
Nonsense. He will never come bac
rich from any place. Now. listen t
me. There is a young mar in, this tow
that would make any woman a goo
husband"
What is his nanle2 Not old job
Foster, ] hope"