The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-27

-. a
you don't mind, a'am Just taking a seaS
in here" (opening the door OF tNe roon
was in.)
tence. but showed the lady in, closing the
door again, summoned Jones INTO her pre-
| own I felt by no means comfortable on
I being discovered in my retreat especially
when its facilities for overhearing became ap-
parent The lady evinced a little surprise at
seeing me, and perhaps felt something more;
but we both remained seated still and silent,
| listening to the conversation between the foot
man and the registress. And now we had an
opportunity of admring the shrewd tact of
Mrs. Primworthy. Instead of opening a
direct fire upon the man with the straightfor-
ward inquiry why it was he had given notice,
she adopted the masterly flank movement of
expressing deep interest in the cook who
had lately left the place, and after emu
merating her various excellencies, all of which
Jones endorsed to the full, she observed:-
"Hes, indeed, she was what we may call
good servant, and no mistake; and what's
more, she was a comfortable sort Of person
to live with and Pm quite certain, Jones, if
she'd a remained you never would have wanted
to leave the same as you are"
''NO, mum, nor none ON US wouldn't, and so
that's the truth, admitted Jones, falling at
once into the trap.
'It makes such deal of difference, doesn't
it, Jones, when a cook makes things agreeable
in the kitchen l knew it was so. Servants
as has a kind master and mistress don't all
give warning that way without there being
cause for il.
''That they don't, mum, and accordin' to my
notions servants did ought to be all of a equal
ity like, and not one set over the rest on 'em.
1t makes place beyond all bearin', that
it do"
l stole glance across at the lady, and it was
really painful to witness the evident discom-
fort which this observation of the footman oc-
casioned her. She started as if to rise from
her chair and stop further discussion; but on
Mrs. Primworthy resuming, she sat still.
"And then, Jones, y added the latter, "I've
always found when a cook do treat her fellow
servants bad, it's a thing she can't be cured
of, so it isn't any use arguing with her on it,"
''That's just where it is, mum; and as 1
says, faint no good any on us tryin' to re-
main Her temper be so bad, and she be that
there violent, as no one can't 'bide in sight of
her. Pm sure I've always a wished to live
peaceable like with every one but that there
woman she won't leave none on US alone. 'Tis
her natur, l expects and so sometimes she'll
be abusin' one, sometimes t'other, and some
times abusin' US all round. Such time as
I've had these here last ten days I'd sooner
list for a soldier. I'd sooner-''
Here Mrs. Primworthy interrupted him.
Don't you think you could manage to stay on
till she was suited and you might have more
| time, perhaps, to look out for good place."
'No num- Pm very sorry for missus, but
couldn't stay; l believe as it would be the
death O. me. was going to say as I'd sooner
| break stones from mornin to night, and get
my vittles where | could, than I'd bide in
place where that there woman was. If we was
| a lot of dogs, she could not treat us no worse
nor she do. 'Taint me only, either; every one as
comes to the kitchen catches it from her Just the
same. If it's the baker or the grocer's man,
she do fly at 'em as if she was a tiger, aXing
them what brings 'em there, and such like,
| till some on 'em declares as they won't come
no more. 'Twas only last night as the
butchers boy said some one else might come
for orders, COS he shouldn't come again.
Never did see such a woman in all my life; she
must be abusin' or a scolding summit. Why,
one day, if she didn't take and beat the poor
cat with the bastin' spoon, 'cos she happened
| to come nigh the fastener when she was a
roastin till the poor animal went limpin' off
under the dresser"
The amazement and CONSERVATION of the
| lady, which had been fast fomenting, here
reached a climax, and completely got the
better of her. Unable to sit quiet any longer,
she quickly rose from her chair, and, present.
| ing herself again in the office, put an end to
! the discussion.
| The appearance of his mistress Jones took
as a signal for him to withdraw; whereupon
! the lady recommended.
'Well, Mrs. Primworthy, / have overheard
all. l really do not know how | feel | am
amazed | am mortified, too. How | have
been taken in with that woman! To me she
is perfectly respectful appearing to know her
place most thoroughly; and yet amongst the
servants she must be a regular virago. Still,
feel relieved greatly, disappointed though
| am. am sure have to thank you for the
way in which you ELECTED the truth from
Jones, and really you deserve credit for being
so clever"
Mrs. Primwortny smiled, with look of
modest satisfaction, and replied
"Why, ma 'am, when you told me what the
cook had said to you, suspected at once what
was the matter"
"Well, say, l think it was very clever OF
you. But am greatly to blame; for, do you
! know l entirely forgot to make any inquiry
respecting the woman's temper; so am justly
punished for my own stupid forgetfulness." "
"Well, ma'am, | don't know, You might
not perhaps have heard the truth, even if you
had made that inquiry. You see, some mis-
tresses makes it sort of rule never to say a
them for a character and l know one lady,
for example, who, though she has had really
all sorts in service, gives the same character
to every one. They are all good-tempered,
all cleanly, all sober, and so on; when | know,
as a fact, some of them have been quite differ
ent. And then, you see, maam, this woman
is a knowing one; she never shows her temper
to you; most likely her former mistresses have