Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-04-02
MISTRESSES and SERVANTS.

to keep them, is the great standing prob.
lem of the average American house,
keeper 1t is to the woman what earning
the bread and butter is TO the man--the
serious business Of life. When ladies
compare notes on their domestic expe-
riences, there is generally tale Of woes
unnumbered, under this head. She who
is exempt from such troubles is pronounce
ed happy among her sisters. The subject
is so great one, practically, that it has
made itself place in newspaper and
magazine literature. 1t is standard
theme of would-bo comic papers. 1t
presents itself among the grave consid-
erations bearing on schemes of immi-
grafton, and of policy towards the Chi
ncso. But above all it comes up constant
~ in the household. It's difficulties worry
The mistress, and she sighs for deliver
ancc.
We have no remedy TO suggest. If we
knew OF one, we might leave editing and
devote ourselves TO practical philanthropy
in this line. But when we see no way
out of our own troubles, it is wonderful
what good ii does TO forget ourselves aud
study ior the interests of others. Now
we think this subject of domestic servants
is generally looked at too exclusively
from one side. The servant is regarded
rs part OF the domestic machinery. As
n servant, that is what she is-onc OF the
means OF promoting the comfort and
physical wcll.being OF the family 1t is
through her that the fires are made, and
the food cooked. and the meals served,
and the coarse and hard work done, which
being taken flom the employers. leaves
them free Tor whatever higher things
they aro capable of. servant, rs 4
servant, is simply labor-saving machine
like the stove or dumb-waiter or sew
ing machine. We imagine that good
many mislresses would consider IN ar
rangement by which all the work could
be done by mechanical contrivances, rs
absolute perfection. And servants are
judged accordingly. by the test of their
doing their work well, and making no
trouble.
This is all necessary and right, so far
as it goes. But there is something more
in The case. Servants are not only ami
mated machines, they are human beings!
They have the same capacities for being
happy and miserable, the same desires
and wants. the same possibilities OF good
ness and siniulness that the rest of the
world have. Lie has 10 them, rs to other
people, its sweetness and bitterness, all
its hopes and joys and sorrows. And,
this. their human character, is of infinite.
ly more account than their mechanical
function, rs seryiceable machines. 1t is
not that one is merchant or a shoemaker
or Il farmer, or servant; it is manhood
or womanhood that is OF importance.
And in familiar intercourse with others
we ought To be full Of thought and feel
ing for the manhood or womanhood that
is in them. To make them mere instru-
mcnts TO our comfort and convenience,
and take no further thought for them; TO
use them Just rs we do the inanimate
fruits OF the earth-this is most unchris-
tian.
You, dear madam, who read this, have
in your home q hired help. You are con-
cerned that she make your food palatable,
your house neat; that she does not dis.
honestly take from you, or insolently an.
n6y you, or lazily burden you. In taking
care for these things you do your duty to
yourself and your family. But what, by
the measure of Christ's law, is your duty
to her? Is it all included in fourteen dol
lars u month, with an occasional halt
holiday, and now and then one OF your
cast-oif garments Look at the claims
she has on you. BY Christ's law, the
strong and rich are to minister to the
weak and poor. You, probably, are COM
paratively rich in education, in religious
training, in social advantage, in oppor-
tunity OF almost every kind She is mar
rowed and pressed down by circumstan-
ces she inherits the blood of race
crushed and pressed down by poverty
for centuries she had no education com
pared to yours; life turns to her its bare
side. Is she not one of those to whom
Christ bids you pay what you owe Him !?
You contribute, perhaps, to sending
the gospel to the heather, and to releiv-
ing the poor whose faces you have never
seen. But here is one who lives under
the same roof with you; you are in daily
contact with her; the opportunity for
kindness is almost thrust upon you.-
"But what can l do for her?n you ask.
You can give her what every human be.
ing most needs, true friendship and sym.
pathy. By tones constantly. and by words
at the right time, you can show that you
caro- for her happiness. And if you watch
half rs carefully for her interest as you
naturally do for your own, you will soon
find ways for substantial help. She has
needs enough, never doubt it,and to some
of them you can minister if you are in
earnest about it. She may want teach.
ing; she may want books to read; she
may want advice about her clothes, about
her plans, about her family affairs. She