West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-08-16


TWO babies to cuddle aud sew for"
Ihe minister looked at her doubtfully
Il suspect II Is only the rosy side of
ner work that tbs letter writer describes,
there must be good many disagreeable
things about the position Of cook or
nursery maid"
There are many unpleasant things
ABOUT our present position, began Mat
TIC, but stopped abruptly.
Not even TO the minister would she
have owned that they were actually
pinched sometimes for suitable food.
DO you think, " she asked, hesitating-
", there would be any impropriety in
my writing to this lady TO inquirer
Not IN the least; will forward your
letter with line TO the editor. Why
not write heref" he continued.
And with the promptness of despera-
ton Matte seized the venerable goose
quill with which alone the minister
.thought it possible to write his sermons
and penned upon a great square sheet
briet, ladylike letter. The ministers
endorsement was also brief, to the effect
mat the writer was a sensible, practical
grl, tolerably we'll educated, and would,
IN his estimation, be a benediction in a
family such as that described in the
~.
The joint letter found its way in due
time TO the sanctum Of puzzled and
amused editor, who frowned and laughed
alternately over its contents, half dis
posed to toss il into the waste basket
but finally put 1t in his pocket with a
dozen other documents. 1t might have
remained there indefinitely, for the ed
itor was young man, and had no per-
sonai interest in the domestic problem,
but, dining that day with his sister, his
serene enjoyment was suddenly disturbed
by series of dull thumps apon the
stairs, followed by piercing screams.
here y said Mrs Lattimer, rushing
away. ''She's let the baby fall down
stairs; always said she'd kill it, shall
dismiss her the minute Fred gets back ~
she painted, returning with the baby. az
never draw an easy breath except when
the children are asleep.
"Oh, by the way, Florence" " replied
her brother, "I've got hold of a solution
for all your domestic difficulties. Never
say I'm not practical again. Here are
two servants for you made TO order-a
cook and a nursery maid--natives, sis
teTs capable, educated, warranted by
the minister; what more could you asklh
Raymond, what on earth are you
talking aboutl"
''lt's all here, you can sec for yourself.
The fact is, I've been thinking a good
deal about this labor question; and one
evening I.wrote letter for the Journal
purporting to have come from Mrs. Il. l..
Howe, setting forth her troubles with
servants, and appealing to the host of
respectable, unemployed women for
help"
''YSu miserable humbugl read it
with sympathizing heart and meant to
write to her myself--our cases are so
much alike-oniy forgot it,"
well, here comes letter from a rus
tic maiden, who speaks for her sister
and herself, and proposes to undertake
the job. She s In serious earnest, too,
and Pm quite impressed by her letter.
Just read It,.
Mrs. Lattimer read with critical not
to say skeptical air.
I'D sooner have Bridget with all her
peppery temper. Deliver me from supe-
rlor, I'm as-good as-you-aTe servants.
intend TO be mistress in my house, and /
want servants and not companions and
friends"
"All right, you have my approval
there; but | thought the trouble was
you were not mistre S. They obey inst
far enough to euable them to keep their
places and draw the wages, and they
have no conception of any other kind of
service. Now, il / were housekeeper
l should try these girls certainly you
couldn't be worse oil -
eff You were housekeeper you would
do just as the rest Of US do-bear the ills
we know rather than tempt the un.
known"
Perhaps so; I'm profoundly thankful
I'm not woman. to go on doing a
thing 10 all eternity because my grand
mother did it before me, and my neigh
bors would think it so queer Of me TO
try any new way
What are you going to do about the
letter. J on really ought to answer il. "
$50 shall / shall tell the minister
] have forwarded the letter to Mrs. T.. l..
Howe, who will correspond with him If
she decides to pursue the matter
Ifthe editors letter, proving that Mrs.
=. l.. Howe was no myth, created deep
and profound excitement in tho little
circle of three. what can be said OF the
g ect produced by a letter addressed to
Miss Matte Harper, Offering 10 her and
her sister service in the household Of the
writer, with wages and conditions very
specihedf To be sure, it was
signed Mrs Frederic Lattimer, but Of
course one would use fictitious name
In paper The letter was written i'm
very plain terms; it said servants, aud |
not "hired girls, which was supposed in !
bingham to be title Of greater respect,
and stipulated that the engagement was /
only for a month Of trial, ut the end OF |
which time, If Mrs Lattimer be not /
pleased, she would pay their expenses !
home.
'1tll come pretty tough on you,
Marthy Harper, being looked down on
rs a servant" said the kind old house
keeper. "You won't have any sociation
with the fam ly"
~ don't care TO associate with the
family we don't associate with the men
we make shirts for" said Matte OF
shall have Dolly. and Dolly will have
me, and VIC shall both have the babies.
don't think wo shall care for much .
more.
It was only at Watties earnest entreatg
hat the minister forbore 10 accompany
them 10 their new home
1T would look as III VIC expected to be /
received as something more than we are. 80 .
She said TO Dolly "And ] want her TO /
understand that all we ask is fair wages
for fair work
So they went alone A auoarf loot-fr~, /