The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-12
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

embrace anything that looks like a cook" Mary Anne consented and down Peggy went.
 | It WAS a maid.
 A billowy, coal black creature, wearing highly colored pink lowered organdy frock and black ear rings and a much be-plumed chapeau.
 She had heard she said-at least col ored lady had told her. that a cook was wanted there.
 1 Both of the girls looked very much pleased and at once Mary Anne led her | ktchenward, at the same time waving Peggy back
 You might as we'll know" Mary Anne explained to the dusy female what you would be expected to do if you came here to cook for us." Cook, I suppose" said the be-plumed Candidate for the position. That and everything else," said Mary Anne "There's only myself and my hus- band and my sister, and you'd be expect ed to do everything, even to buttoning up my dresses'
 But, Mary Anne" Peggy interrupted If she is a good cook, I'd be willing to hook your frocks up''
 "You don't know how" snapped Mary Anne, and then turning to the maid she said; You'd have to keep my clothes in order as we'll as my shoes' How menny pairs nv shoes hab you got' asked the Dusxy creature.
 You wouldn't have to bother much with her evening slippers and her dress shoes," said Peggy apologetically, but just keep her walking shoes polished and in the proper trees?"
 "Trees?" said the Maid In surprise 1 'T ain't nebber wucked fer no white led dies dat kep' dey shoes up her tree"
 Mary Anne" pleaded Peggy, In a | whisper, please take her I'm so hungry for something to eat besides canned beans and store bread"
 "Youll have to answer the bell and keep yourself always presentable." said Mary Anne relentlessly. You'd have to wear a black dress and white caps and"-
 | "Nawm; I can't do dem things" said the Maid De dolxter sez I can't wear nothin' tall on my haid dats in de least heavy"
 Her hat weighs cool ton," said Mary Anne, turning to Peggy.
 "Nawm. you better git somebody else, T said she, and turning on her heel, she left.
 You are too hard on them,'' Peggy said crying softly as she looked at Mary Anne q would have taken her if she never saw a cap.'
 "I will not said Mary Anne. "If ] could have divorced her from those black funeral plumes l would have then gotten rid of those horrible earrings" Il But I'd have taken a Hottentot," said Peggy furiously. If she waited on the table in her native string of beads, only to have something decent to eat instead , of those messes we have been concoctins for the last three days" T haven't the strength to discuss the ethics of the matter with you, Peggy said Mary Anne peremptorlly. You have never kept house. You don't know wha' it means to have a sloven, unkempt. un- neat person about your premises"
 Several days passed and no cook lad, in the kitchen and Peggy and Mary Anne were almost at daggers points over tn, l situation.
 Presently another applicant arrived ant } Mary Anne came upstairs and announced , the glad tidings to Peggy that she hat engaged maid. They both went down tairs to inspect the new arrival, after sht was installed in the kitchen.
 "Yassum. l cooks an waits on de tabl' and mends and answer de do bell sh' was Informing them as sne seated nersel on the floor, but deys one thing dat does buffore I starts in on my wuclS jus has ter tek off my shoes. I won wear shoes in de house fer nobody
 Not even when you go to the door, pleaded Mary Anne.
 Nav m-not fer nuthin'," she replied emphatically. ''I won't shet my foot up fer nothing an nobody. I'll wear d. caps an de black dresses an de whit, | a I aipff RWlDp fer Shef foots up fer nobody
 The two girls went upstairs, sorrowful!, and silently.
 Presently Peggy said;
 Mary Anne"-- Please" pleaded the latter, don't tall to me now; want to rest and-think."