John Gayther's Garden and the Stories Told Therein

f the broad paths. John Gayther stood still and looked at her, glad t

to what he calls the story-telling place with us, and mamma feels inspired to tell the story. So you may take that troubled look out of your face. Please put the big easy garden-chair in the shade of the s

king a mine. He was that rare thing, a story-teller who is also a good listener. Moreover, John felt very diffident about telling one of his stories before the Master of the House, who was a man prone to speak his mind. Not that John disliked the Master of the House. Far fr

sturdy figure, clad all in white, approach the summer-house. With an air of supreme content this figure partly stretched itself in the big garden-chair

you can do in this line, and we shall call upon you before long. This time you are privilege

paragus and too early for potatoes. I am afraid y

time of the year. The steward does it with a big knife, which he jabs thr

House was now prepar

my story in the firs

erson," interrupted t

ta put her hand on my arm. 'Stop,' she said; 'look down there! That is what I like! It is a cot and a rill. You see that cot-not much of a house, to be sure, but it would do. And there, just near enough for the water to tumble over rocks and gurgle over stones to soothe one to sleep on summer nights, is the rill-not much of a rill, perhaps, but I think it could be arra

animals, and succeeded moderately. 'T

gust,' she replied. 'That

d in surprise, 'so

hs. What I want, as I have told you over and over again, is a real cot with a real rill, to which

e nature, away from people we knew, and had been several days at a mountain hotel,

valley. There must be a roa

nita,' said I, 'I cannot go down that road; it is too rough and rocky, and we should break something. Bu

ate hotels, and I could be very happy in a cot like that (a little arranged, perhaps) until the 3d of August, when we have

Mr. Baxter comes to-morrow. You know it was

ave to wait until Wednesday. But one thing must certainly be agreed upon: when we get t

k to the hotel, I discussed the matter more fully with Anita, and I found that what she had been talking about was not a mere fancy. Before coming to this pictu

live in a cot like a cotter-that is, for us to live like two cotters. As for myself, I need it; my moral and physical natures demand it. I must have a change, an absol

ut again and examine the cot. For the rest of the day and the greater part of the evening Anita talked of nothing but her projected life in the valley; and bef

asked the Master of the House. "I like to know

my story so you would find out for yourselves all about the characters, just a

usband; "he may be a coachman p

, "I do not mind telling you that Mr. Baxter was my hero's

d excited my wife's desire to become a cotter. We found the house small but in good order, with four rooms and an adjunct at one end. There were vines growing over it, and at the side of it a garden-a garden with an irregular hed

etired to consult. We did not consider long; in less than ten minutes I had ordered Baxter to buy the house and everything in it, if the people were willing to sell; and then

ter of the House, "must have been

y is explaining itself," remar

d it was a big piece of work; but he did not

e can you give

I replied; 'that is, if it does not rain: for she s

ins for to-morrow and perhaps the next day. And, anyway, I know now what you

the cot and the rill: 'the house is in full view from this road. Before we know it we will be making ourselv

t is really a private road for the benefit of this house and two others nearly a mile farther on. I will include those places

ld cut across the country and come in at the other end of

the job,' said Baxter; and I

aptain, "if that Mr. Baxter

of the House, "that you would have to o

lines interested him. The Mistress of the Hous

pleased and grateful, especially as I had had to go out into the rain to do it. 'I knew, of course,' she said, 'that Baxter would settle that all right, and so I have been making my arrangements. But there is one favor

d; 'and I shall ask a

Anita. 'And now tha

nesday, it rained, and it also rained on Thursday and Friday;

n working very hard lately, and to-morrow I will

went down to the cot the next day to see how he was getting on; but Anita asked me no questions, and I asked none of her. I had never known her to be so continuously occupi

, just skirting the highroad. To the north I bought to the river, which is three quarters of a mile. But over there to the south

t,' said I. 'How did you ma

sales were all consummated this morning. They all went to work at once, each on

p this big estate private for our use. 'We want t

ill be no inhabited house on the place except your own, and I am putting up a fence of chicken-yard wire around the whole estate.

azement: 'That wil

posts is scheduled to arrive here at eleven o'clock to-night, and work will begin immediately. Paulo Montani,

rive here?' said I.

half of this place, and my trains will all be

osed there was a side-t

with bunks. The wood-cutters and the landscape-men, hedgers, sodders, and all that arrived about an hour ago, and I am expecting the mechanics' train late thi

shed his cigar and was sitting upright in his chair, "but d

state," answered his wife. "He

t you are doing. If you make this place look like a vast cemetery, all laid out in smooth grass and gravelled drive

m aiming at in house and grounds. To-morrow afternoon you can look at the house. Everything will be do

t I stopped. 'Baxter,' I said, 'you have done very well

hey are working on some waterfalls

ood beautifully stained by age. There was a low piazza I had not noticed, which was covered with vines. Bright-colored old-fashioned flowers were growing in beds close to the house, and there was a pathway, bordered by box

here and there. Nearly all of it was brought from a meadow about a mile away from here. But now step inside a minute. Everything there is of the

wife when we should come to it. He was doing admirably, and I would leave everything to him. As I stood on the little po

ing to supper. They are divided into three sections, and one gang rel

iron, and it could be opened into a clump of bushes where it was not likely to be noticed. 'If thi

superintend your Lake George gardens? I have put him in charge of this gate, an

d, 'how I am going to surprise you when we get to the cot.' I told her I had no doubt her surprise would be very pleasant, and there I let the matter drop. Soon after breakfast we drove over

do not want to see a c

ything else,' she said. 'And it is all so cheap and plain. There is absolutely nothing that does not suit a cot.' She was wild with excitement, and ran about like a girl; and when I followed her into the garden, which I

ouse. 'Now, Anita,' said I, '

be as happy as two kit

er of the domestic arrangements in your hands. You have seen the house, and you will know

you did with the people who were her

them. I was inclined to think, however, that he had sent them to the hotel until arrangements co

lf. Now don't open your mouth so wide. There is nothing to frighten you in what I have said. I am thirty-two years old, and although I am not very large, I am perfectly strong and healthy, and I cannot imagine anything in this world that would give me more pleasure than to live i

y of my famous country estate, with more butlers and footmen and gardeners and stewards and maids and men and stables and carriages and herds and flocks, its house-parties of distinguished guests-here was this wife of mine, so well known in so many fashionable centres; a social star at home and abroad; a delicately reared being, always surroun

n service is to come on this place while I am here. I have been studying hard with Mrs. Parker at the hotel, who seems to be an excellent housekeeper and accustomed to homely fare, and I have learned how to make and to cook a great many things which are simple and nutritious; I h

the cot and the rill and the dear little wife with her coarse linen and her determination to keep no servant. The husband of your Anita w

intend to impose upon you. Because I choose to work

to hear th

we live a cotter's life with these simple surroundings, and so I think one man will be quite enough to do

I, 'and I will see about sen

can have our first meal in the cot all by ourselves. I'll run up-s

at dress of coarse blue stuff, a little shor

kitchen and see what we shall have for dinner. Sh

' Anita agreed to this, and we went to work to take the lid off a hamper which she told m

and cans, labelled. She must have been a very thrifty person, and it was an exce

choice of what she should cook for l

I, for I knew tha

inger against her lips, 'suppose-suppose we have some croquettes.

,' said I; 'they will take

nita. 'Let us have some bo

eed to

'is bread and butter. Would y

ake some dough and find the soda, a

swered; 'we have A

uit will do,'

will soon have our f

ut I am going to give you a nice dinner. If you want more than three eggs I will cook you

ing for him: he might be incongruous. I had plenty of time to consider, for Anita occupied nearly the whole afternoon in getting up our dinner. She was very enthusiastic about it, and did not want me to help her at all, except to make a fire in th

eight. Anita sat down, hot, r

day if they only knew enough, or were willing to learn. I have looked over several books on the subject, and Mrs. Parker told me a great deal. Maria told me a great many things als

d asked me to d

ot believe cotters have mayonnaise dressing, nor shall we every day; but this is an exceptional meal. For the next course I have made a pie, and then we shall have bl

removed the soup-plates while Anita went out to get the next course. When she put the dish on the table she said something had given way while the fo

made me think of the probable necessity of filling the lamps, and I hoped Baxter had had this attended to. The pie was made of gooseberry jam, the easiest pie in the world to make, Anita told m

, however, I ate a hearty

up anything, for I will not deprive myself of the pleasure of sitting with you while you smoke your after-dinner cigar on the front porch. These dishes will not be

not feeling well, for that would have made her suffer in mind more than I was suffering in body; but when I had finished my smoke, and she had gone into the house to light the parl

ter telephoned. 'Will Isadore do? He is at your tow

ch experience, and good-natured. I told Baxter to make him understand

the house?' asked Baxter. A

I will have a tent put u

house I told Anita

ave just thought of something: I

I answered. 'He will live near her

do not mind being your servant, Harold

omparison. In fact, I do not know that I can afford to light another cigar. But one thought comforts me," he continued:

ady s

d solid, with very flat feet and a smoothly shaven face, twinkling eyes, and a benevolent smile. I was very glad to see him, especially before breakfast. I took him away from

ter has made the arrangements with me. It is that madame shall not s

Don't interfere with her, but

e that I am charmed. Now I will go and change my clothes.'

door waiting for orders. He was a plainly dressed man, his whole

' I replied; 'he

his

the man who for two years had composed the peculiar and delicious ices of which she was so fond; she might even hav

nswered; 'it is t

st,' said Anita. 'Do you su

t is what he is engaged for

tchen door. 'While you prepare the table, madame,' the man of al

how to do it

ather and my mother had no daughter, and I had to be their daughter as well as their son. I learn to cook the simple food. I milk the c

me; 'where there are no daughters among t

It was astonishing to see with what rapidity he manipulated it. When Anita came back she took the dough and divided it into four portions. 'There will be two rolls apiece for us,' she sai

'allow me to lift the chops. The ra

u may take them out.' And then s

rust.' The man of all work handled the chops, and offered to beat the omelet; but Anita would not let him do this: she made it herself, a book open beside her as she did so. Then she told Isaac to put it on the stove, and asked if I

said I, when the meal was ove

t man really can wash dishes.' On being questioned, Isaac declared that in the humble cot in which

bing up afterwards I can do them,' said Anita. 'Now we wil

ork approached me; he had in his hand a little piece of red earthenware, which he held up before me in

id I. 'What i

the garden I strike pots, and I broke this one. B

'That man,' said Anita, 'is of the greatest possible assistance to me. The fact is that, having been taught to do all sorts of thi

ned meats packed in ice, I began to wonder about two things: in the first place, I wondered what exceptional remuneration in addition to his regular salary Baxter had offered Monsieur Isadore in return for his exceptional services in our cot; and in the second place, I wondered if it were exactly fair to practise such a variety of deceptions

verything is going on so smoothly and in such a pastoral and delightful way,' said she, 'that I want some of our friends to visit

here. We cannot entertain them. Such a thing was

And we can entertain people. We have a guest-room which is fitted up and furnished as well as ours is. If we are sat

e is the last man in the wor

to do anything you do, and to live in any way you live. Besides, he told me, not very long ago, that he often

is your picnic, and we will

he is in Europe. But I would not have her if she were here. If he comes, he is t

s finished Isaac carried it to Bald

but he could not help it. In business resorts, in society, and in the clubs he met great capitalists, millionaires, and men of wealth of all degrees, who were gentlemen, scholars, kind and deferential in manner, and unobtrusive in dress, and not to be distinguished, so far as conversation or appearance could serve as guides, from those high types of gentlemen which are recognized all over the world. Rounders lo

ashamed. But he was so careful to keep these incidents free from any suspicion of real hardships or poverty that he always failed to make the impression he desired. I have seen him quite downcast after an interview with strangers, and I was well aware what was the matter with him. He knew that, in spite of his attempts to conceal the domination of h

nhappy moment Rounders had said to his neighbor that if she could taste the sort of thing she was eating as his cook made it she would know what it really ought to be. An obliging butler carried this remark to Monsieur Isadore as he was sipping his wine in his dressing-gown and slippers. The interesting part of this anecdote was Baxter's description of Isadore's rage. The furious cook took a cab and drove directly to Baxter's hotel. The wording of Monsieur Isadore's volcanic remarks I cannot state, but he butchered, cut up, roasted, carved, peppered, and

he invitation had gone, and there was no help for it. I concluded, and I think wisely, that it would be unkind

days with us the face of Isadore-for it was impossible at that moment to think of him as Isaac-was a wonderful sight to see: his brows contracted, his countenance d

anything about it, I do not wish to force you into an unpleasant position, and if you would rather go away while Mr. Rounders is here, I will have som

; it was easy to see this by the varied expressions which swe

re of yourself and madame. I beg that you will not believe that I will permit myself even to think of such a thing. I rem

shall not tell him. I am much obliged to you for your will

aac, 'and I would do not one thing

ed Rounders. 'I like to walk a little.' I took up one of his valises, the good Isaac carried the two larger ones, while Rounders, with an apologetic look from right to left, as if there mig

hen I have gone anywhere without some of my people. But I assure you

of the peaceful joys of humanity were denied the man of affairs, still, when the opportunity came, how gladly our inward natures rose up to welcome it! 'Your wife tells me,' said he, 'that she is cook, housekeeper, everything. This is charming! It must be a joy to you to kno

by a rill, and that he was quite capable of forgetting his ordinary life of affluence and luxury in the simple joys of our rural household. He would have prod

had no more to do with their preparation than she had previously had. I was thoroughly well satisfied with everything; and, although Rounders was not, it was impossible for him to say so when he sat opposite the lady who told him two or three times at every meal that she presided in the kitchen. Of course I would have done everything in my power to give Rounders things to eat that he liked, but I did

Baxter's orders; and if Rounders chose to think that what was good enough for me was not good enough for him, he must go his own way and suffer accordingly. In fortune and in station I was so i

h day of his visit, after the morning mail had been brought to us by Isaac, Rounders came to me and told me he had just received a letter which would make it necessary for him to go home that afternoon. I expres

raid I was only stiffly polite. Our spirits rose after his departure. Anita said she had found him an incongruity, and I was tired of the spectacle of a purse-proud man trying to appear like other people. But if I were harsh in my judgme

te were coming down from Canada to make final arrangements with me for the purchase of a great tract of mining land, and as my presence and s

and I growlingly asked why the syndicate had chosen such an unsuitable time of the year to come down from Canada. But Baxter did not know. I continued to growl, but there was no way out of it. I must go to New York. For the sake of perhaps half a million dollars,

hly understood Anita's nature, and I was sure if she left the cot for a time she would not want to go back to it. But when I told her Baxter's business, and

ay here by you

er. I want some women guests this time, and they would be delightful after Mr. Rounders. Fanny is as lively as a cricket, and Mrs. Ransmore could take care

get the Ransmo

and they can start to-night and get here to-morrow afternoon. You need not be afraid

more willing to go to New York when I reflected that after th

eave my wife, and daughter too, for three years? His Anita is not worth one twentieth as much as either my wife or daughter. Then again, if I were in his plac

said the Daughter of the House; "but don't you see if the

a young lady who never forgot the principl

ull length in his chair. "I did not think of that. Madam, plea

e King of Siam undertook to emulate my hero in all his performances

rding to her orders, neither of them brought a maid, which must have been pretty hard on the old lady; but they

ck to the cot now that the Ransmores were there, and I was sure also that Anita would like to hear about the new yacht, in which we hoped to make a Mediterranean voyage during the winter. But early in the forenoon of my second day in Philadelphia, while I was engaged in a consultation concern

or us, and made us some beautiful bait out of raw beef, for of course we did not want to handle worms; and we started for the river. We had just reached a place where we could see the water, when Fanny called out that somebody had a chicken-yard there, and that we would have to go around it. We walked ever and ever so far, over all sorts of stones and bushes, unt

soon come to what seemed to be the upper end of the rill, and went down on her hands and knees and looked under the edge of a great flat rock, and there she saw the end of an iron pipe through which the water was running. When I heard this I threw down my fishing-rod and would have nothing to do with an artificial rill. I remembe

lly well made, and that it must have cost a lot of money to buy all these imitations of old-fashioned, poor-folksy things. Then she went into the garden and peered about, and told Isaac, who was working there, that she had never seen so many different kinds of vegetables all ripe at the s

r have this or that or the other thing. Then I was very angry with myself for not being able to see things without having

u angry with

ch was full of burning wood, and turn it over. But he was horrified, and said he might be arrested and put in prison for doing that; and, besides, it would be such a shame to waste so many beautiful things. Fanny and her mother thought so, too. And I asked Isaac where the family lived who used to own the cot, and he said they were still at the hotel, not being able to find any suitable quarters. So I sent for the widow and her daughter and son, and I told them to take t

. This did amaze her, and for a moment I thought she was going to cry; but she was not in the habit of doing much of that sort of thing, and presently she laughed. 'M

ted to me this morning as we drove up from the station.' I then told her the story of Isadore alias Isaac-of his dislike for Mr. Rounders, and of the noble manner in which

ig up whole b

of the cooking than he did before Mr. Rounders came. I thought our meals were remarkably good, and if Mr. Rounders did n

s this: during the whole time Rounders stayed with us

ced nothing of the kind, and, besides, Mr. R

e to Rounders. And as for the latter discovering that he was eating his food raw, he had no idea that such

Anita. 'How could any one eat thin

different, but which looked just like that we had. Even his coffee was served in a cup heated hot in the oven, while the coffee itself had merely been warmed. I cannot explain all these uncooked meals, and if you want to know more you must ask Isadore himself. But Baxter told me that spices and condiments must have been used with wonderful effect, and that the

ta, 'that was a shameful

and where he had tried to make you and me happy, and where he himself had been so happy, especially when he saw Mr. Rounders trying to eat chicken croquettes. He was also so pleased with the life at

then she said: 'I think life in a cot

ress of the House

her daughter. "There are sev

good King of Siam, I consider my already overtaxe

woman gave the whole of that great estate to the widow and her two children? Ho

r my part, sir, I don't believe it was all given to the widow. When Mr. Baxter came to attend to the papers I think

owner of that great estate made a deer-park of the rest of it, with reindeer, fallow deer

uirting out town houses, country houses, butlers, chefs, under-chefs, diamonds, lady's-maids, horses, carriages, seaside gardens, thousand-acre poultry-yards, private sidewalks, and clo

ORY IS

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DED IDO

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