Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-10-13
MisfelIaneons.
Gersfer at Home.
Domestic LIFE or PRINA DoSNA

ton of Sasso on the road to Florence.
Alighting at this station, a ride Of 10 min
utes along green valley, with the high
peaks of the Apprentices on either side,
brings You to rather imposing lodge
guarding the entrance to road which
leads up high hill. Turning into and
following this well-shaded lane. d steep
ascent of Is minutes lands you al the top
of the hill, and before you stretches. as
far az the eve can see. a charming grove
of chestnut trees. Still following the fine
road, you soon turn sharply to the left,
and before you appears large and iDvit-
ing villa, three stories high and without
wings, with several handsome outbulld-
ings near it. On drawing near the villa
two iron gates are thrown open. and driv-
ing through them you discover amid a
bevv of servants a smiling and friendly
face which il familiar to thousands Of
Americans. The full but plant and grace
full figure is well set off by an appropriate
and effective dress of cool material.
The hand Of this lady clasps that Of a lit
tie child whose head scarcely reaches the
knees of its mother, and whose dark eyes
open wide with interest, and in an instant
we alieht from the carriage and receive a
warm welcome from Etelka Gerster and a
kiss from her little daughter Linda.
Nine. Gerster regrets that her husband.
DR.. Gardini. is away from home for few
DAYS, but does the honors with double
hospitality in consequence. Her home Is
called the .Villa Mezzana,' and it is IA
large and very handsomely furnished and
decorated house The walls are all laid
in panels, in each of which is a painting
verv excellently done. in spite of the
rough material on which the artist work
ed. The estate is very large, and en-
braces ~ farms, and has upon it private
and well-appointed chapel for the use Oh
the family and the tenants.
Nine. Gerster had good womanly train
ing. and she applies her knowledge with
rare skill She is the absolute mistress
of her home Each days duties necessari-
ly vary a little, but a sketch of her Occu-
pations for one day will give an idea of
her life here.
Having accepted an invitation to ac-
company my hostess to the meat market,
! leave my room at a little after six IN the
morning and 90 down stairs where Nine.
Gerster soon Joins me. She has already
had her bath. and her maid has been
combing her hair for an hour. Presently
the carriage drives up, and when we are
seated the head cook-ior her male Coz X
has two misunderstanding with ahuge
basket, mounts in the footman's accus-
toned place. After a rapid drive OF IL
minutes the market IL reached and Mime.
Gerster enters and Immediately begins her
purchases The whole beet is strung up
before her and she selects the portion and
watches il cut and weighed and pat in the
basket. Then the cook takes the book
and waits to have the entries made, while
we re-enter the carriage and the house
wife examines her list and adds up her
figures, which are compared with the
book which the cook has now brought
back. and the homeward drive begins.
At the villa we find the family enjoying
the delicious morning air, and we join
them until eight o clock. when we are
summoned 10 breakfast. AT this. rs well
rs other meals. the hostess presideS. pours
the coffee, carves. makes the salad dress
ing, oversees her child's meal. and keeps
up a bright and general conversation.
An hour after breakfast her inspection of
her house begins, and every part is visited
from top to bottom.
was much struck with her system
Each department is under the care of Il
servant who is responsible for everything
under her charge. In each department is
a small closet filed with hooks. on which
hang the keys of the department. and over
each hook is plain label. The key OF
the closet itself is kept by the servant of
the department, and no other servant has
access to it, although Nine. Gerster has
duplicate keys to all the closets.
This examination over. in less than an
hour we are again off on another tour of
inspection. This time some of the farms
are to be looked after, and the mistress is
protected from the rays of the hot sun by
large straw hat. but her hands are unin:
numbered by parasol. Her short walk
ing dress reveals her walking boots, and
an air of business about not only her
makeup. but her quick gait. leads me TO
believe am in for long iaunt. So 1t
proved. After seven farms have been in
spected, cry out for mercy. Then we
stop on the top of a mountain. and. pro-
tccted by the branches of fine old chest
nut. we rest while we look far below us
upon the winding valley and straight be-
fore along the peaks of the surrounding
Apprentices, and eat the grapes that the
last tenant has proudly pressed upon us.
In three-quarters of an hour we are al
home again, when. after resting a little
time and reading the morning mail, Nine.
Gerster goes to her private music room.
adjoining her ''rrtreat," filled with the
photographs of her friends and her person
al treasures. and in which she reads and
writes when she wishes solitude, and !
hear her patiently and conscientiously
practicing her scales and exercises for an
hour accompanying herself on piano
forte.
The dinner Is announced. and charm
ing meal it is made. There is no hurry.
and full justice is done the fine repast, and
full sway is given to the family eommun-
ion. The hostess herself seems overflow
ing with good spirits. and four o'clock has
come before we realize how fast the time
is passing. After dessert We all GO to the
salon on the first floor. directly under the
spacious and elegant music room, CON
tanning among other appropriate furniture,
a pianoforte. and here some read. others
sew and talk. and join the group. which
includes my hostess, that. gathered around
table, are cutting out of pasteboard. on
which certain articles of furniture are
printed, full drawing-room suite for lit
tie Lida's "baby house."
We work and chat until 6 o'clock. when