The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-02-09
A COOK FOR JUDITH


gers webbed like a ducks toes with
the stickiest of bread dough, cast ap-
pealing glances at her immaculate
brother-in-law, a well-favored bache-
lor Of twenty-eight.
"Ughv she exclaimed, eyeing her
imprisoned hands with repulsion. ITS
getting colder and clammier and
stickier every minute"
where's Brldget?'
81 discharged her. gave her a
weeks warning, but the mean, incon-
siderate thing went at once and left
me, literally, with the bread on my
hands. never cooked anything in
my life; but thought any goose could
kneal bread. Oh, that's just like a
man-to laugh when ones up to the
elbows in trouble"
"Id help you II could" said
Philip, peering helplessly into, but
keeping a safe distance from, the
foury bread pan. But what can
do?
You could go somewhere and find
me cook if Edward were home"
"I'll do that" returned Philip, visi-
bly, Frightening. What sort of a
cook ? Any choice in the matter?'
"Yes, indeed. I'm very particular.
She mustn't be too big, because this
Kitchens so tiny, and IL she's very
tall she won't be able to go down the
cellar stairs without doubling back
ward She must be neat in appear
ance, and Philip, do try to select one
that will look well in a cap. Bring
her right home with you. Simply in
sist on her coming-Edward had Bird.
get here in just an hour and n quar-
| te~ from the moment he left the
house"
I'll beat him." declared Philip,
from the doorway. You'll see me
back, perspiring but triumphant, and
with Bridgets successor at my heels.
| In exactly sixty minutes"
Philip, who entertained great
| opinion of his own executive ability,
sought, without loss of time, the near.
est employment agency.
|
COOK said he, to the woman al The
desk. "One that would look we'll IL q
' cap"
Come this way" said the woman.
repressing a smile, ana leading tao
young man to an adjoining routa.
Eldredge looked, with crit ca! eye,
at the long row of waiting apYlicad, 3.
Under his earnest scrutiny thee Of
them blushed, two gigglcd, and q
sixth frowned resentfully. Perhaps it.
was an off day for cooks. bat the a.
sortment offered was not pr7mis rg.
One of the gigglers, however, display.
ed good set of teeth.
| Philip, whose faith in his ability to
return with cook was beginning "a
falter, and almost decided in her fa9-
or, when he remembered Judiths ce,-
lar stairs.
would you mind standing ur," ha
asked, courteously
The maid with the teeth again
showed them in generous sniie, as
she obligingly rose to height OF si2:
! feet two.
I'm afraid you wouldn't fill the
! BILL" said Eldredge, apologeti, ally.
I'm sorry, but my instructions were
very exact"
AS Eldredge was wavering between
red-headed German girl with an
alarming pompadour and a thickset
Hibernian with a phenomenal upper
lip, the door opened, neatly dressed
young woman entered, and, after q
moments hesitation, seated herself in
the vacant chair at the end Of the
row.
why! You're just the girl I've
been looking for" cried Philip, joyful
ly. as he caught sight of the new,
conner. Not too stout, not too tall
not too anything. You'd be adorable
in cap"
But" objected the girl, "Im-"
We'll pay you bigger wages Here
said Eldredge, thrusting dollar into
the agents palm, ''is your fee. III
take this one-she suits me rlgh.
down to the ground"
But" began the girl. "Tm-''
! Now don't say word. My sister
in-law, Mrs. Eldredge, wants you a,
once. I'll explain as we so along
come, please, We must catch the mex
car. You see, it's case of-of bread
left poor Mrs. Eldredge up to the ell
bows in dough-she's not accustomed
to dough-and she must be rescued
at once"
81 see," said the girl, suppressing 6
riotous dimple as she followed hel
impetuous employer to the street. "Bu
please, sir, how do you know II
suit?'
II like your looks" said Philip
candidly. You're neat and intelli
gent-and short enough to go dowI
the cellar stairs. You see Mrs. Ed
redge gave me the plans, dimensions
and specifications, for the desired
cook, and you fit them exactly. Here's
our car
Eldradpe we'll satisfied with his ex