The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-27
Published by Loring, of Boston.


One Servant May Do the Work Of Two-Gozzip
about Training Servants-An Unexpected Check
Servants Registry 0ffice-Servants and Their
Drets-How Bad Servants Get Places-A Teach
able Young Girl
All the directions for managing my servants
which my mother gave me l sedulously fol-
lowed, but yet did not succeed in establishing
the peace and oroer which l had been accus-
toned to in my gIrlhood's home pondered
much over my veXation, tor do what would
the dinners would be addressed and badly
served, and the general work neglected. unless
on each day went over the same routine and
MADE the same remonstrances.
Surely, thought, it must be my own fault
that sucn state OF things exists will be more
considerate, and save the servants steps all
can. Will think Tor them, manage their work
ard all else that can do; will even help them
SO that l can have peace. A delusion that 1
would warn every one against.
then paid higher wages, and got worse SER
wants | became very particular as to their
characters, and invariably found that the worst
servants managed to obtain the best recon-
mendations. This was the mIstresses fault,
who from mistaken idea that they were serv-
ing the traDsgressing girls concealed the most
important of their shortcomings, and by thus
doing brought down upon them reproaeh,
change of place, and all kinds of evil, and upon
themselves the reputation of uutruthiulness.
After two years discomfort and change of
domestics, my house-maid was taken i'll and
went home; then, TO my astonishment, instead
everything went pleasantly on. My three chill
dren had been but little trouble to either SER
want, and in the absence of Mary had them
entirely under my own care. They were quiet
strong little things. 1t was the cook herself
who first asked me if she should take them for
a walk; assented as if it were a thing fully ex-
pected Of her, but was utterly surprised. and
sat down to read the riddle. 1t was unacc0unt-
able that the work which two servants could
not perform, one was able to 90, and that in a
much better manner than before.
My cogltations were interrupted by visitor,
whom had myself to admit In the absence of
the, girl laughingly told Mrs. Lester how
was situated.
'They are great plagues,n she remarked.
pal hculary II they have not full employment.
There is some truth in the adage that with one
servant the work may be done with two the
chances are that It will be half done with three
why then one may as well do it oneself. /
have quite work enough tor two servants, and
never permit them to be idle. There is no time
Tor gossiping In my house till after at night,
and than / never interfere unless their voices
are raised too much"
"But, Mrs. Lester, my mother kept servants a
long time; how is 1t that am obliged to change
so often ?n | asked.
"Simply because the old race of servants have
died out or have emigrated and there none left
to take their place. Most young mstresses are
deficient in domestic practice, then how can
the poor creatures learn! / have always found
the easiest way to obtain good servants is to
take them young and train them to their work.
1t is true that as soon as they are taught they
place dull, or there is too much running up aud
down stairs, or the work is too heavy; or, IN
deed any excuse for getting away, having 3
fortnights holiday, and then, with the last
pound in their purse, they lind another situa-
ton, where after six months the sane routine
is gone through, till in two or three years they
can describe the different suburbs Of large
city, besides the town ITSELF"
"But how depressing to be always BEGINNING
this kind of work.
ut was so at first, but with me it has now
become an established order of things, and /
don't mind it, though l thought l should have
gone wild at first. 1t is a sad thing TO saw but
ind that weariness comes over the girls
when they have been six months in a situation,
unless there is some counterbaancing charm to
keep Them In place. Perhaps it would be the
case with us II we were servants. am inclined
to think that it ladies who we're born under
rosecolored hangings had first seen the light in
the dirt and squalOr of poverty, they might have
been equally deficient with the poor girls who
ence.n .I
do pray tell me how you manage, for am
so tired Of this cat-and-dog life. have heard
OF somebody writing 10 the Times, saving, we
never have bad servants, we take the daughters
OF our tenantry, and place them under the
tuition and training Of our older servants
Excuse my interruption, but it was this very
letter that made me adopt the plan of training
which have pursued for three years, with
considerable comfort to myselt and family, and
with decided advantage to the poor girls them
selves; though beyond nine or ten months-in
one instance only, twelve months-I have never
been able to keep them; they have always dis
charged themselves, for in their nature there is
such an inherent love of change one would
suppose them 70 be human locomotives: when
they grt up store OF wishi ng for change up
goes the steam OF temper, off they GO no mat.
ter what the danger ahead may be. Mr.. Lester
says IT Is the same with our daughters Olly
they ind safety valve IN parties and in Cos
slipping morning calls. He is of opinion that if
Georgina were kept as strictly to study as. a
servant girl is to her work. there would be
danger that we should find her missing some
morning." gll G' ..i.
Certainly, the servant question never Oc-
Cured TO me IN This light before; but tell me
how you manage to get ON so we'll with these
girlsS" N ''"fI5
'Just think, Mrs. Wynter, how you would
play piece OF music ii you had never learned,
how you would sew or write or read, If never
taught. Then how is 1t possible for a young
girl whose father does not happen to be lords
tenant, or her mother to have ever been IN ser.
vice, to learn her duties ?--t there is no one to
teach her, how can she ever be an efficient help
in any householdl You understand how to per-
form most domestic work, and Think you know
the art of cooking much better than do myself;
] am sure II you were to try your hand at traix.
ing some of these ignorant girls you would end
your own advantage in 1t. Don't expect too
much at first, line upon line you know but as
for 'precept upon precept,' that may as well be
left out or you will be treated to an aside Won
won't like, Lor', how misses do Jaw, can't
mind half what she ses.
~ am only warning you not to teaah iON
much At 4 time and Tahia vOu ava Aa.rHa-~C