The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-09-06
SUMMER BOARDERS.

| am thankful to the sister who opened
up the topic of taking city boarders, for
| want to air my thoughts on the sub-
lect, Mrs, Jones trials did not inspire
me with either ridIcule or contempt,
but sorrow, for put myself in her place
and lamented that 80 many seeking
recreation ana rest in the country for a
merely normal price have the selfish
element in them Co sadly predominant,
But in the first place the poor. faithful
wife, who k"enly felt the need OF
making an effort to aid her husband,
was but one OF the mistaken souls that
think taking boarders is always clear
profit. And again the idea that any
real help could be given to man who
had not the brains or energy to make
the farm pay for itself is absurd. Why,
a woman might as we'll pour soap suds
down rat hole'-to use homely sim.
lie with the expectation of filling il. as
to think she could run into debt for
supplies and have much left, after sum
mering three or four bOarders at one
dollar or less day. Then she was an
acquiesCent soul who established no
rules! There are few in this unregener-
ate age that will not run rough shod
over a willing heart If she had given
them 10 understand from the first that
all extras over certain limits would de-
maud good extra charges she would
have had less 'rOuble aud better remuncr
alton. They would have respected her.
and no doubt curbed or covered up some
of the self love that is often so undulter-
ated by any human kindness whatever
/ nIntIl1 houa p,arpl.r,l
as Mrs. Jones did, but should have given
them clean, COOL painted floor, with a
few rugs. The food should have been
PLAIN, but nice of its kind, and abundant,
but il certain kinds were disiked
should have dropped them aud tried to
give the bOarders their moneys worth.
But as to furnishing nurse or walters
outside of the chambers or dining-ruom.
should have notified them at once that
it could not be expected. / have a city
friend that goes into the country for ak
or eight weeks every summer, and she
is always more than satisfied To pay for
extras. But she is lady, and that Is
the difference. A female from Mont
real comes to this vicinity every sum-
mer and is the dread of all serving
maids, as she requires more waiting
upon than any six of the others. She is
always so sick she can't eat, but gobbles
up more than her share of the lce-creAm
and fruit before the others are served.
have taken few city boarders, but
they were extra nice ones, and really
gave me pleasure instead of trouble
Perhaps it was because they seemed to
feel that was doing them very great
favor to take them. always made a
clear profit Of at least four dollars per
week on each one, as meat and sugar
were most that was obtained outside
and tea and coffee were not wanted
strong. But if they had demanded
other attentions than was prepared to
give at 81 or 81 % per day should have
given them up. There is
no sense in being n waiter upon people
in the country; when they want walters
they can go to hotel and pay for them.
But they are usually out boarding
cheaply, saving to spend more profusely
on luXuries when they return to the
city. But consider my advice as regards
extra expenditures in Accommodations for
them, for ii never pays. ladvise taking
gentlemen or ladies and not families but
men are always the best boarders. and
at least mind their own business. Ad-
vertising for help may he necessary, but
a ''cheap" girl is always an extravagant
nuisance. If hammocks and easy
chairs are wanted by boarders more
than change and fresh air, let them
bring them or stay at home. See how
much more comfortable Mrs. Jones
made them than any hotel could or
would, and observe the difference in
Aim for the better class
and charge enough to save yourself at
least. = Mrs. Brown in Waterman.