The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-05-25
TO w O NJ E n.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

BY ELEANOR KIRK.
The lie of the age is" Not at home"
In the whole dictionary of fslsehoods,
there is not one so often uttered, and
that, too, with such apparent reckless
ness, and disregard of moral consequen-
ces as this. Very few women hesitate
to instruct their servants in this partic-
ular, and very few servants are sufficient
ly high-toned and truthful to refuse to
lie at their mistresses' bidding. heard
of one, though, the other day and 1
must confess that have had more hope
of the ultimate salvation and happiness
of the great domestic family than ever
had before; for we may safely affirm
that the uncompromising honesty and
independence of one such, shall be able
to make up nobly for the want of it in q
hundred or two less honest and resolute
among the kitchen sists rhood.
"Oh have got such spl ndid up
stairs girl !" said friend the other day,
quite enthusiastically.
"She is simply perfect In all my
housekeeping, have never found such
treasure. She is so capable, so honest,
such painstaking seamstress, and then
so kind to the children, and SO pious.
I am not afraid now TO go away of an
evening and leave my family. I know
they will all be taken care off,
l congratulated her of course. Such
opinions of the genus chamber maid are
exceedingly rare, and if may be allow
ed to add, the housekeepers who know
how to treat such servants with the
proper kindness and respect, are equally
so. had no fear of my friend; for l
believed her to be one of the most Iowa
BILE women in the world and entirely
just in every particular. A few days
after the above statement, I called by
appointment to take lunch with her.
What was my surprise to find my friend
in tears-and the gem of an upstairs
girl, whose virtues had been so minutely
dwelt upon and described, waiting with
her things on, for final marching orders
from her mistress.
What in the world is the matter z"
I asked. "You and Fanny both in
tears, and she all ready to leave why
thought you told me she was perfection
ITSELF"
"Oh dear!' she replied, with sob.
II thought so too, but the girl has
driven me almost frantic to-day. Do
you know have been obliged to lock
the children in the nursery, because they
go on so about her going. Oh dear! oh
dear oh dear-and was Just as infat-
uated myself"
"But what is it" I interrupted.
Has she been stealing, or lying, or
both ?"
"Oh no, no. Nothing of that kind +;
1 don't believe Fanny would take pin
that didn't belong to her You know
those horrid Todds. One of 'em my
husband is in business with. Well,
they bother my very life out with their
everlasting visiting, and when they get
inside of the door, they are 80 sociable
and informal, that they invite themselves
to lunch and to dinner, and to spend
the evening, exactly as if they were con-
ferring favor upon me by so doing.
Quite as much for Charles sake, as be-
cause am moral coward, have I al
ways treated them politely, and even
cordially. Well, to-day, as stood look
ing through the blinds, out of my win
dow, saw the old maid Todd, who is
the biggest bore of all, heading for the
house. thought about your coming to
lunch, and knew that she would spoil
our good time entirely, and determined
to be "out." Fanny was just coming
up stairs as the bell rang. Said in q
whisper, " Fanny, tell that lady am
not at home"
Such a look as the hussy gave me,
and walked straight into my room.
Fanny" said 1, "Why in the world
don't you open the door I"
Because, Mrs. Burt" she replied,
with as much deliberation as if that con-
founded old maid wasn't pulling away
at the gong.
Because, as much as like you-I
cannot tell that lie to oblige YOU"
"But." 1 reasoned, THAT is no lie,
Fanny! 1t isn't at all likely that
would ask you to tell a regular He."
"It is nothing else to me I" she an
swered doggedly, "and wouldn't tell it
for my own mother"
just then heard the cook making for
the door, and leaned over the banisters
and said: "Not at home, Sarah p and
the deed was done. OF course, after
such an act of insubordination, was
compelled to discharge Fanny; and she
has been such good girl. 1t makes me
sick to think of it,"
at makes me sick to think you are
such fool" / could not help answer
ing. . 'sI..
discharge girl because she has too
much principle to lie! This morning
congratulsting yourself that you had at
last found an honest and capable SER
want, and this noon sending her away,
because this very honesty makes it as
impossible for her to lie Jo, you as to
you. If you haven't quite lost your
senses, you will take eff that girls
things, and make what reparation you
find in your power"
Apologize to my servant Z" said she,
with flashing eye and burning cheek.
Yes, ma'am! True nobility always
takes its hat off to principle. Your SER
want, this time, is your moral superior,
and for the sake of her influence on your
children, to say nothing of the good she
may be able to do you, it is your duty
to keep her in your family if you can"
A little rough, certainly, but not a