The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-08-31

tal fellow, efficient, neat, and o good
cook; but possessing a temper which
iared up on all occasions, with or with
out reason. Then he would bang, scold,
aud mutter in Chinese, and, immediate.
ly thereupon, came the announcement
You get mother boy; CO."
And go he would, house full of com.
pany, family sick, or what not. Ee was
such good servant, otherwise, that we
took him hack three times, after which
we concluded that the hext time he left
he might stay away. The occasion soon
came, for the canning fellow had learned
that our threats of non payment of wages
were as empty air and, after this, we
had no hold on him. He hung about
for some weeks, dropping in occasion
ally or sending represen tative spy to
see what his chances were, but Chee's
day was over. A long suffering family
had rebelled at last, and, in process of
time, he became convinced of the fact,
and went into the laundry business.
1t was comical to see his preparations
for leaving. He always got himself up
in his best suit, flowing sleeves, piptail
ungirt and swinging about his heels, and
hat on his head; for the Chinese don
the hat, instead of dofflng it, rs q token
OF respect. Thus gorgeously arrayed,
he sought us out in whatever part of
the house, and bade us n caremonious
farewell. And this seems to be their
rule in leaving a place, ro matter what
the offense. There is none of the hard
feeling which SO often makes it matter
of dread to discharge an Irish girl.
" You no likee me, / go ;" and there is
the whole of it. And they generally
leave everything in order behind them.
So far as we remember, we never
parted with but one China boy who
omitted ceremonious and amiable
leave taking. And he was quite excusa-
bic from the Chinese Spart N stand
point. His feelings were injured, and it
happened in this wise. We had occa-
sion to go one day to his cabnose, and
rushed in upon swarthy and unknown
Chinaman with plate and knife before
him, deep in the enjoyment of some
Mclean grub" We called upon he
Celestial to stand forth-he was Chi
ness peddler-and told our incumbent
Ill mild but positive terms to take his
cousin to the kitchen for something
wherewith to refresh the inner (Uhina5
man, and always to ask us and we would
do orlr endeavors to indorse his hos
pitality. But, at the same time, we
straitly charged him never gain to hide
any one away in his room, or to take
any one to board, without consulting us
as mistress of the premises. Mild
though we were, the modification of be-
ing detected was too much for Sam. He
was favorite in the family, and had
hnprl 4fI Iy-i4t !, q l.
pet of. IL five miDutes he came to the
parlor door and announced: Madam,
L go, and was gone before we coul,i
reach tho kitchen, where we found dishes
standing and everything in disorder.
But, as we said before, such style of
leaving is quite exceptional; and, be-
sides, We happened to have paid his
wages to the full, only the day before.
No one need expect permanenoy who
employs Chinese servants. They are
always anxious to go 10 place, and ap.
parently always ready to leave it. Twen- |
ty-tige cents is a sufficient inducement
either way, and perhaps it is not strange.
For, having dared so much in coming TO |
a foreign land for the sole purpose of |
money getting, spirit of unrest and of |
greed takes possession of them. There
is always the hope of doing better, and,
therefore, they are always ready to make
q change.
W course there are exceptions TO the
rule; Of course there are Cinnamon who
have lived i'll the same family for q
length OF time. But it will generally be
'ound that these have been paid extra
ordinarily high wages, CT in some other
way nave had the inducement to roam
As rule, they change often.
- He lived with me fifteen months:
quite long time for China boy" said
4 lady to us.
When they desire to leave there is alb.
'olntely nothing which can be appealed
o to prevent it, no matter what the en-
'nrrassment, Inconvenience, or trouble
u tho family, except money. Therefore,
{ mas come to pass that most house
ieeper7 make it rule never to pay them
iilts all their wages until ready to part
g'th them. For, only thus can anything
ke justice ho extort6d from our Celes-
Ial servitols. All are eager for money,
II are graSping and venal; and this un-
'ilshingly, as matter OF course, as the
law of their life. And for
hiu N bargain, they ont Yankee MS
IL. No one understands so well how to
.sk high price, to recede step by step,
. chatter and argue, and feel the pulse
+ the market, and to drop just in time
o secure the prize.
To digress little for an illustration.
Jay the family wash is to be consigned
0 laundry for while. On inquiry,
nding that neighhor whose wash is
'rger employs Hop Fong at six dollars
or month, you think to send for Hon
'ong. But your China boy by no means
ats such an opportunity go by for bring
1g cu'tom TO his "hiend," and pro-
oses to go for All Sing, to which you
ood ratuyedly consent. ,
So All Sing makes his appearance, !
cry polite and smiling. {
"You catchee wash e. {
Yes; how much you ask, one j
lonth2" O ;
| catchee him, then I sabe." s
But you are too wise for such an AZ I
lngrment.
" No; my wash no very big; one man, ;
lie child, me; how much you ask?" ,
Ah," watching your face very atten-
vely. 81 think all same flee dollars /
ne week" ;
" Three dollars ono week! Too
uch !" and you look resolute. "That I
twelve dollars one month No, in /
aei I" !
"A.h. ] think nine dollars one '
on" :
"No; | no pay nine dollars one a
onth. Too muchee." 7
"A-h. Seven dollars hap" 9
Z" No. L no nav aevon dollar. .n5