The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-03-27
The Servant Girl Problem.
now LOUISA NJ. ALcoTT sorvFs Ir

Asone successful fact is worth columns
of speculation, allow me to relate an ex
pertinent which I have lately tried with
such happy results that other despairing
"missisess'' have gone and done like
wise. Last spring, it became my turn
to keep house for a very mixed family
of old and young, with very different
tastes, tempers and pursuits. For sew
eral years Irish incapables have reigned
in our kitchen, and general discomfort
has peryaded the house. The girl then
serving had been with us year, and
was an unusually intelligent person, but
the faults of her race seemed to be un-
conquerable, and the winter had been a
most trying one all around.
My first edict was, "Biddy must go.n
"You won't get any one else, mum, so
early in the season." said Biddy, with
much satisfaction at my approaching
downfall. "Then Tll do the work my
self, so you can pack up" was my un-
daunted reply. Biddy departed, sure of
an early recall, and for month did do
the work myself, looking about mean
time for help. ''No Irish need apply"
was my answer to the half-dozen girls
who, spite of Biddy's prophecy, did come
to take the place. | tried n fat 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 countriest place she ever
saw" she numbered away after a short
stay Another bout at general house.
work satisfied me that one person could
easily do it if she was not also expected
to entertain much company, and run
errands, write several dozen letters a
week, and do the family sewing. zone
other woman, to see to the food depart
ments and leave me free after my morn
in e work is done, is what need. Now
where shall find her?n was my decision.
Remembering happy experience of
other years, when We answered the adj
vertisement of ahouse-keeper and got an
excellent woman who did all the work
for three dollars week, / turned to the
column of wants in the Transcript and
found five advertisements of American
women wishing places as house-keepers.
/ answered several, saw one young
widow with q child, also pert splinter,
whose first question was, 'Is your father
n widower?" and several stout ladies
who wished merely to order other SER
wants about, and were altogether too
elegant for our simple family. Two re-
mained who seemed eligible, Miss Ame-
liza G. and Miss Annie 5. Miss Amelia
was too much dressed, and seemed
rather afraid of work; so after a look at
her gave her up and went after Miss
Annie.
found a delicate little woman of
thirty, perhaps, neat, modest, cheerful
and ladylike. She made no promises.
but said, 'Ill come and try;" so | en-
gagged her at three dollars week, to
take charge of the kitchen department.
She came, and with her coming peace
fell upon our perturbed family-a peace
that lasted unbroken for four months, in
spite Sof much company, dangerous i'll
ness in the house, and many unforeseen
incidents. My little Miss s. was one Of
the family, for in the beginning 1 said
to her: al want some one to work with
me as my sisters used to do. There is no
mistress or maid about it, and the favor
is as much on your side as mine. Work
is part of my religion and there is no
degradation in it, so you are as much a
lady TO me, cooking my dinner in the
kitchen, as any friend who sits in the
parlor. Eat with US, talk with us,
work with US; and when the daily tasks
are done, rest with us, read our books,
sit in our parlor, and enjoy all we can
offer you in return for your faithful and
intelligent services.n
She smiled, and looked as if she caught
glimpse OF hope and comfort after
much weary seeking for home as well
as place. | think she found that l
kept my word, and was happy little
woman all summer. | know that