Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-01-16
The Leisure Hour.
TIIE SERrANrGIRL pROBLEIG
How Louisa ". AIcOut SOLVES II.

hAp" AsoutNsh -tHs iNOtt
As ono successful fact is worth columns
OF speculation, allow me to relate an cN-
pertinent which have lately tried with
such happy results that other despairing
"miSsiSses" have gone and done likewise.
Last spring, it became my turn to keep
house for a very mixed family Of old and
young, with very different taste,, tempers
and pursuits. For several years Irish in
clpab!cs have rcigncd in our kitchen, and
general discomfort has pervaded the house.
The girl then serving had been with us a
year, and was an unusually intelligent per-
son, hut the laurts of her race seemed TO be
unconquerable, and the winter had been a
most trying one all around.
My first edict was, "Biddy must CO."
"You won't get any one else, mum, 50 ear
ly in the season." said Biddy, with much
satisfaction at my approaching downfall.
"Then I'll do the work myself; so you can
pack up" was my urdaunted reply. Bid
dy departed, sure OF an early recall, and
for month l did do the work myself,
looking about meantime for help. mo
Irish need apply" was my answer to the
halT-dozen girls who, spite of Blddy' 8
prophecy, did come to take the place. l
tried tat Scotch woman, but as she could
not go down cellar, upset the gravity of the
children when she waited at table, and
thought our abode 'the cOuntrest place
she ever saw" she numbered away after n
short stay. Another bout at housewOrk
satisfied me that one person could easily
do ii If she was not also expected to enter
tain much company, and run errands,
write several dozen letters week, and dc
the family sewing. zone other woman, to
see to the food departments and leave NE
free after my morning work is done, is
| what 1 need. Now where shall l find her?
was my decision.
Remembering happy experience of 9th
| er years, when we answered the advertise
ment of housekeeper and got an excellent
woman " no did all the work for three dol
| laIs week, l turned to the column o
wants in the Transcript aud found five adj
vertisements of American women wishing
places as housekcepers. ! answered sew
eral, saw one young widow with child
also pert spinser, whose first question
was, as your father Il widowerY' and sew
| eral stout ladies who wished merely to or
der other servants about, and were alto
| gether too elegant for our simple family
Two remained who. seemed eligible, Mis-
Amelia c. and Miss Annie $. Miss Amel
was too much dressed, and seemed rathe
afraid of work, 50 after a look at her ! CAV
her up and went after Miss Annie.
found delicate little woman of thirty
perhaps, neat, modest, cheerful and lady
like. She made no promises, but said
"Ill come and try;" so 1 engaged her fo
three dollars week, to take entire charg
of the kitchen department. She came, anC
with her coming peace fell upon one per
turbed family, \ peace that lasted unbrok
en- for four months, in spite of much com
pany, dangerous illness in the house, an
many unforeseen incidents. My little Mis-
S. was one of the family, for in the begin
ming l said TO her, 81 want some one
work with me as my sisters used to d'
There is no mistress or maid about ii, an
the favor is as much on your side as min
Work is a part of my religion and there
no degradation in ii, so you are as much
a lady to me, cooking my dinner in Il
, kitchen, as any friend who sits in the pa
lor. Eat with us, talk with us, work vii
us; and when the daily tasks are done, re
with us, read our books, sit in our parlo
and enjoy all we can offer you in return f
your faithful and intelligent services"
She smiled, and looked as II she caug
glimpse of hope and comfort after mu'
, weary seeking for home as well as plaC
think she found that l keptmy word, al