Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-04-16
Seeking a Servant.

My wife is a delicate little woman. She
was esteemed great beauty when mar
ried her Her mother told me that, if |
would preserve the roses 10 her checks /
must be very tender Of her, aud shield her
from too much care. For that reason |
have always advocated the dismissal of ser.
wants who were not absolutely perfect.
One morning, last week, Jane omitted to
put large spoons on the table, and the
cruets were entirely empty. took the
matter in hand, as good, kind, considerate
husband should, and spoke sharp
ly to the girl. She undertook to answer
me back, aud | sent her straight out of the
house.
"Thats the way to do it," said. "If
one girl doesn't suit, try another"
But, my dear, Jane was good servant
in most respects.
That is what you say Of them all, l
tell you, aud have told you repeatedly, that
it is just as easy to get those who are right
You are too gentle mistress
aud your servants impose upou you. If |
bad the charge Of the house they would
have to toe the mark. | am tired Of seeing
you 50 oyershadowed with household affairs.
Even now wrinkles are settling IN your
forehead, as if you were forty.fve instead
Of twenty y-seyen."
"Ah the wrinkles date far back of
James forgetfulness am not sure but
they have been produced by the frequency
of my visits to intelligence Offices L
thought, the last time that | went to one,
that my hair would turn white before got
away"
Why don't you follow up some Of those
girls, who advertise in the Herdld2 My
mother used to, and was very successful"
81 have. got Della from an adyer-
tisement-the one who sat down on the
baby, thinking he was the bag-aud
Alice who stole all my best towels, and
Julia, who would take her beaux into the
parlor every time we were out in the evening,
and don't know how many more. 1 have
come to the conclusion, that when a servant
is neat and honest, it is best to overlook
irifling shortcomings If my husband was
just little more patient, think l could
manage very we'll. | am worn out with
servant-hunting.
"Servant-huuting should think it
would be a pleasure. | cant imagine any.
thing SO very dreadful about it,
Suppose you try it2 really do not
feel well enough to make the effort;
rather do my work for month"
My wife did not usually speak with 81
much earnestness, and it surprised me. BE.
sides, she looked pale aud, as | said before
| am a model Of husband.
1t was a pleasant morning. | had enough
to do; but then might as well be hinder
ed half an hour to oblige my wife as tC
waste SO much time smoking after lunch.
81 will darling. Lie down aud rest your
self, or read the papers. Take no thought
about the matter; and now good morn
ing"
kissed her and went on my way. | bough
a Herald at a stand on the corner. Glauc
ing at the list of Situations wanted
smiled at toe absurd idea Of putting VI
with incompetent servants when such al
army was in the field. | selected two mum
bers, which thought would suit. They
each contained three figures, and Of course
were some distance away across the avenues
1t was not an inviting.looking ncighborhood
and the building into which | entered wa
far from prepossessing. | knocked at th'
first door on the first floor. \ fat red
faced woman left the wash-tub aud openet
il.
"Did girl advertise from here for
place this morning "
Not as knows on Maybe it is in tn,
back room"
l knocked at the next door. 1t wa
opened by little girl Of nine or ten, bare
footed aud ragged, and her mouth full o
baked potato. -Four other children, o
various sizes, came running to look at me.
Us your mother in ?" | inquired.
"No."
as there girl here who wants place?'
"No."
ado you know whether there is one il
the building ?"
"No."
MAYBE it is up stairs !" screamed al
old creme from bed in the corner of tn
room, as took out the Herald to see if
had not mistaken the number ascende
narrow staircase, aud passed along dark
gloomy corridor. knocked at the door
aud repeated my inquiries to yellow
sekly looking woman, with babe in he
arms. She knew nothing Of any such ad
yertisement, but it might be in the mex
room.
At the next room they thought that per
haps it was up stairs. So | was hande'
along from one to another till reached tn
fifth floor. There gained the extraordinar,
information that it might be in the bacl
yard. Reaching the ground-hoor in safety
| proceeded to the rear, where there was
three-story house on the same lot, with tn
space of only about ten feet between Al
old man sat on the pavement smoking.
How many families are there 10 tn
building?" 1 asked.
He cogitated moment or two before h
replied
"Tselve. sir"
1t was true The hall ran through tn
ce1ter OF the building making four room
on each floor, aud each room contained
family. visited every room before
found the one the girl had advertised from
II was the most respectable looking one o
the lot, and the occupant WAS youo
well.dressed woman. My spirits rose lik
foam and went down as quickly. The gin
herself had not come yet. She lived i
Brooklyn.
| wheeled very abruptly and hurried
the sidewalk. Ugly words rose to my lips
but | did not speak them. | wondered
Efie had ever visited such an abode
Taking out the Herald again | read
"No. 333 West-----street-- young gil
who understood her business, aud is nea
and obliging."
l was only two blocks off, This time
was fortunate enough to hit the right roof
at the first knock. The girl herself opeDe
the door. Her manner was little forbid
ding. 1 fancy she belonged TO the snaI
ping-turtle order Nothing daunted, how
ever, | explained my business.
allow many be's there in your family
sir p she asked, as she surveyed me froI
head to foot. | dress well as a generI
rule but it was windy day, and | wa
in part Of the city where the streets weI
not watered. Consequently the damse b.
fore me could not make up her mind on III