The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-01
selected story.
The Revolt in the Kitchen.
4 Lesson Cor sK0usefkeePers.
by PATIENCE PRICE.

"Then | shall be under the necessity Of
giving you your weeks notcer
As Mrs. Youngbride said this, Just after
breakfast, having given Biddy cook, directions
against which that official rebelled, she left
the kitch, n, fearing a storm. She trusted for
dinner to what the dii mOn0res of the kitchen
should please, and bootless trust it was. -
The dinner, we need hardly say, was exc
cradle, and execrably served. The husband
was man of aIniable temper, and wonderful
discretion, and checked his young wife, who
would else have gone into a long discussion OF
her difficulties with the kitchen cabinet. The
waiting maid, who had expected to have a
full budget 20 report to Biddy, in the kitchen,
as usual, could only state her differences and
deductions. These were, that the gentleman
had decidedly reproyed his wife fer giving the
cook her notice; and that, therefore, the said
notice would be revoked; and that Biddy
might demand increased wages if she remain
ed, and would be fool if she did not do So.
And so in the kitchen rebeious conclave
was held. Waiting maid resolved upon an
increase. Chambermaid ditto. And that in
Guided the whole force.
What the lady and her husband did say to
each other, when their natural enemies, the
servants, were all out of hearing, it is not
necessary to relate. Its tenor, however, may
be guessed by what followed. The husband
had left the house, and Biddy, cook, was sail
ing out. dressed in her best, without the for
mality Of stating her gracious intentions. Her
mistress called her, and said: .-'
b Here are your wages, including the coming
week, and the sooner you leave the house the
betterp ..-a
"But, ma'am, you have not got a new cook
yet maam; and have not get new place"
"Ihe first slny business, and the second Is
your own'
But won't stay here, maam, till get a
new situation?"
Indeed you won's, if can help it."
"BHt where will go, them
o. %'Ihat is your look ont, and not mine. l
shall not endure your impertinenee for a
whole week, or suffer you TO make use OF my
house for your new base of operations
Base, is it? Base, Sure, if there's any
law or justice in the land, III take t!'
Bridget did not understand the terms, how
ever well she might the operations of ''strate-
Cy." SO she departed in high dudgeon. But
she had good fortune, and soon returned, all
smiles and compliments. "SlIre have found
place, ma'am, and viii leave in the morn,
maam, and we'll part good friends, ma'am
and forget and forgive, ina'aln.'
Very glad to hear it, Bridget. and I hope
yen will do as you should in your new place.
and not to be dismissed for impertmence and
slovenliness."
That's what never was vet, ma'am,"
said Bridget, bridling. ''The best OF folks may
have till. sometimes. I'm soon up, and it's
soon over"
q. very well, Bridget" said Mrs. Younsbride,
willing to dismiss her, without alteration
But Bridget was not done yet
I'm to go to Mrs. Browns ma'am."
The lady was cogitating within herself
whether she ought not to put her friend Mrs.
Brown on her guard, but concluded it was
unnecessary Bridget was honest. as honesty
is regarded among her class; and Mrs. Brown
might find out her faults at her leisure. But
Biddy was not disposed to be content with
any such negative proceeding.
IF you please ma'am, MIS-. Brown said,
ma'am, that she would take a line from you,
ma'am, If you please, ma am;
do you mean that | am tc give you q rec
ommendation gIl agfI UJ
Eyes, na'am." said Bridget, her face light
entng up; that's it, bit Of writin,' If you
please.p
And not bit OF anything ofthat sort will
you get from me, Bridget unless you want
certificate that You are so intolerable that
am glad to be rid Of you, on any terms"
Terrible was the wrath of Bridget. Wecan-
not undertake to report her harangue, COM
menc:ng with threats and terminating with a
penitent aud doleful whining: Would she
rum poor body who had only her charac-
ther and her hands 10 depend on?' "a "
+. l.OuG lhS ldli9 NoS lLiltAlDt. Anu SIZE WAS
none the less determined, when she found
that Biddys fellow servants took sides with
her. Waiter and chalnbeImaid gave notice,
and were summarily discharged; and the
husband and wife actually took breakfast
alone in the house next morning. After
breakfast little search enabled the lady to
secure temporary assistant in good-natur-
cd but not very efficient person who had
served them before in similar straits. They
haRinPQ1 fanf hoF axxrlyxr
amusing than otherwise. ~ ~ e@
Now said the husband you must look
for new servants" lax
Indeed shall not" said the lady. ''There
is just the difficulty. They think themselves
in too much demand. Trey must look for
me-"
The gentleman was amused. That was
precisely his opinion too But wise husbands
do not volunteer advice in domestic matters.
Very soon the door-bell rang. Mrs. Y. ans
wered it herself. A fierce looking termacant
desired to see the "Missis"
You do see her"
"And isn't it shame, now, that the likes
ofyou should be running to the door! You
VIII be wanting waiter, and | am tould. a
cock. I've lived in the best places, and I've
had the best wages. Have you range. maui
and proper conyainiences % r-- 9-
"Who sent you here?''
y came from the Office, nam; thew toul,l
me Of you, and thought i would see if the
place suited me.'
Il don't think You win suit the place. You
may go back to the Office and tell them when
want their services will let them know"
but sure your name is in their books.n
AND sure did not put it there said Mrs.
y, now determined to close the conference
ana shutting the door in the woman's face.