The Washington herald., 1914-08-04
The Cook.
By EMoRY J. HArNEs.


She has been in the same family thirty-one years
Bridget is getting old now. But her sunny presenc
as fresh and necessary to the sunshine in the house
hold as is the sun in the heavens. Indeed she open
the day for them all, throwing wide the front hal
door and letting in the break of fragrant day. Sh,
is the first astir always and owns the whole eountr
house, so it seems to me- as she stands there on h
front veranda 1t is her right to fling back the blind
to the scarlet shafts of sunrise while yet the air
cool Her buxom form, her ruddy cheeks. her crown
of white locks make pretty picture
Bridget was to have married over thirty years ago
She was then but year from Ireland. But her Tin
was killed when the railroad cut was being bastec
out. You detect the gentle sadness in her hand
some face when the featuues in repose Hers is
big heart and has made heroic mourning. Her hear
that day went out this family for consolation. Th
is the explanation of her fidelity long. She CAV,
her love to them, mistress and man, and to each o
those seven children they came along. These al
like children Of her own, each in turn She is thu
motherly caretaker She goes herself to the cemetery
with summer flowers where there two little mounds
Even when the parents forget Bridget does not for
get. She says it makes her happy to go there.
Yet never was a more jovial soul when it is tn,
time to laugh. She will stand by the hour at tn,
drawingroom doors when there is dancing, her fact
beamiig as she looks if she was herself dancing
She never has danced in all these years. Her fee
plod. She used to dance in Ireland mere young
thing. But there came that fatal blast which changec
everything. Yet Bridget is always welcome at tn,
drawing-room doors. So often she has been urged
to sit and look on But no. She always stands ther,
by the door, admiring, beaming her folded, ex
cept when she directs the younger servants bringing
in refreshments.
A few years hence, when there is "a party" anc
Bridget is no longer there will not the younges
daughter and the parents notice shadow tn,
scene?
Bridget idolizes 'the missus" The two womer
have grown old together The lady of the house
mas not always been we'll there have been periods o.
invalid weariness. Bridget has always been strong
When some day, ere long, it is whispered through
the mansion that Bridget is sick" the very hous,
will trembe. The mistress will hurry up that room
and eagerly seek to return of the countless
ressings that the folded hands have given to her.
Bridget should be immortal She can never bt
replaced in the rich mans home. Money could no
hire her. Wages? Not for years has the subjec
been mentioned. The man has thought about it, ir
his will and so has his wife Indeed if Bridget coulc
only outlive them the house and home would go just
the for the younger children Doctor, what say
you coming down the stairs?
How did this thing used to be done? How die
the faithful and trusted servant" somehow grow
into the very family tree, like grated shoot upor
apple tree? Just how did the hireling become
with US, full of hopes, plans, our joys anc
sorrows? And there was no bitterness, no jealousy
no injustice, no other home. What affection tn,
kneading of the family bread was. What thought anc
soul in preparing the favorite dish. Bridget know!
to dot what each likes in the way of cake, anc
she "gaveth them their meat in due season" Hei
mind has invented things after long thinking and
deep study If the dinner table is the happy muster
hour" of the family, has not Bridget been an angel;
Has she not spread happiness and home content fol
years? The sailor boy is lieutenant on battleship
but no officers mess can obterate the memories oi
Bridget's dinfng-room.
To merge ones whole life in house and to be
worker in it, abstract proposition what mort
exalted ambition could there be- But doubtless also
there difference in houses There are many house.
into which would wish to be grated Bridget
is too good for them. They are not her kind. Homes
there where loyalty is not the law. Everything
repels. 1t is neutral adaptation
The virtues in are no different from those
in an employer. Gold is gold matter on whose
hand is the ring and brass is brass The worth of the
employe is identical with the worth of the employer
The missus" is still sitting by Bridget's bed these
days many hours, holding her pain-racked hands
whispering prayers, arxiously waiting. Nor is there
on earth more becoming scene