Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-01-17
For the Waterman and State Journal.
TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE

Is 1t not surprising that the good people oil
this planet, should in general be so dilatory in
adopting, or, as far as is practicable, profting,
by tne important improvements and discover
les Of each passing year? Now there is our
good neighbour farmer B., who years ago was
sensible Of the very great advantages arising
from the systematic and minute division of la
Dor introduced into our large manufactures,
increasing both the quantity and the quality of
the products Of any gwen amount of labor
And yet it does not appear 10 have even &C.
Cured 10 him, that this same system could
with almost equal advantage be adopted in the
domestic establishment MIR B. has three
daughters-Ann, Jane and Lizzy, just grown
10 womanhood, and fine active girls they are
too and he is constantly complaining that his
girls bring to pass very trife more in the
course Of the year than his neighbour C's only
daughter.
We took tea at MIR BIS not long since, and
we think that the relation Of what we witness
cd during our short visit will satisfactorily ac-
count for the small results OF which Mr. B.
complains. Not long after our arrival, in pas
sing through the kitchen, good fire arrested
our progress, for it was chilly day and no fire
in the parlor,-so we seated ourself snug I'D
in one corner TO be out Of the way of the girls,
who were, all three Of them, engaged in the
business of preparing tea. We could not help
noticing that all took part in the cooking, and
all assisted in setting the table which very
naturally called 10 mind Mr. BIS frequent eu-
loges of the modern system OF division OF la
Dor. AS the girls were, all OF them, remarka-
bly, active and quick in their movements, we
were surprised that they did not often come in
10 bodily collision. One slight accident we
will mention. The buttery door would of it.
self swing nearly 10, as often as any one pass
cd through. Now, on one occasion, just as
Jane, who had slight soop in her gait was
about 10 open the door on one side, Lizzy, who
was on the other side, pushed il open with her
usual qulckness, and struck poor James nose
a violent blow. All business was for some
time suspended, as her afieclionate sisters
would NEITHER of them leave Jane until the
blood was staunched dnring which time we
had an opportunity to make the following re-
Election, TO wit had division of labor been
so Tar introduced here as to have assigned the
business of setting the table 10 one OF the girls
instead OF all of them, Jane would have esca-
ped bloody nose. Tea was at length an
nonnced, and we all sat down, including Mrs
Wilson and Miss Semore, who were Of the
party. All went well as far as pouring out
the tea, when Mrs. B. exclaimed 'why girls
there is no sugar on the table why Lizzy,'
says Jane, Il thought you said the sugar was
on the tablet well, says Lizzy, am
sure saw Ann with the sugar bowl in her
hand.' Il was just getting some sugar. says
Ann, when the accident happened to Jane,
when set down the bowl and forgot it,
While this colloquy was going on, sugar was
procured. Soon Mr.. B. remark ed in an under
lone to Llzzy, that Miss Semcre had no knife
Why Ann says Lizzy, and why Lizzy =
snys Ann, both in the same breath, and at the
same instant both started up 10 repair as spec
Oily as possible, tho omission--when, Oh! ca
lamitous calamity one corner OF AIMS span
new silk gown happening TO be nailed 10 the
floor by Mrs. Wilson's chair, a most frightlul
rent was the consequence. Poor Ann looked
with amusement and sorrow upon this premn.
ture dllapidation Of her beautiful and costly
dress. And poor Mrs. Wilson looked partic-
ulary blank, 10 think she was any way ucces-
sorry in causing such wide spread ruin. And