Rosie’s Revenge

Rosie was born and brought up on a farm, but had longings for the gay life of the city. She was not pretty, far from it; in fact even she realized there would be no place for her on the stage, except in support of the Cherry Sisters. She couldn’t be an artist’s model, or a grand opera singer, so she compromised on stenography. The station agent in their village (he was a distant relative) gave her two lessons and then she went forth to conquer the metropolis. Rosie got a job. No one could ever explain how she did it. Her tenure of office work was one hour and seven minutes, at the end of which time she was discharged for incompetency. She blamed her employer and vowed vengeance. It must be admitted that he talked harshly to her, but on the other hand it cannot be denied that Rosie’s work on the typewriter was pretty coarse. She tried for other positions, but did not succeed in landing one. When her money ran out she was induced to take a position as cook in a private family and there demonstrated that she was in her proper sphere. As a typewriter Rosie was an insult, as a cook, she was a delightful dream.

Ten years after her one essay at office work, Rosie was employed by a wealthy young widow, who lived alone in the country. The widow had a suitor, a clean-cut young businessman, and Rosie heartily approved of him. Then one day Rosie’s former employer appeared. It developed later that he hoped to retrieve his fortunes by marrying the widow, who was a friend of his sister. He was received graciously, but Rosie determined to get rid of him without delay. She was an excellent cook, and she easily accomplished her purpose. The poor man had a most horrible meal, and could not understand how the widow and the other suitor enjoyed it. He did not know that he was partaking of a special diet, but the little he ate worried him, and he finally fled from the house, never to return. The widow in time married the merchant and they retained Rosie, who became even a better cook as the years passed by.