St. Paul daily globe., 1888-07-15

lOG bllll DCloOlls
In order to find out the duties and
treatment of servants | have worked
with several classes of miStreSSeS. OF
course it is not to be supposed that
have met all sorts, but | think my eX-
perience has been that of the average
servant, who knows how to do a little
of everything and is not especially anX-
iouS to become perfect while residing
on this earth. Some employers have
few of them. My first experience was
with one who didn't pay her help. Fol
lowing the directions given at the in
telligence office, l presented myself
before the lady. She was busy reading
novel, and probably forgot to ask me
to sit down. She was glad to hear that
| was from the country and said she
hoped l hadn't had time to learn
the lazy, impertinent ways of city
domeSticS.
How much do you pay week?" I
asked.
After multitude of questions as to
my ability and previous experience, she
concluded that $3.50 a week was good
figure.
Il would like my pay IN cash at the
end of the week." L remarked.
''Oh, certainly, you can have it every
day if you like she languidly replied.
IL SCl1 tiiftb III IOOIi VIZ NOOo 90
the rest of the house is giving it TO
praise. There were four children, but
| used TO think there were twenty when
they tumbled out and hOwled for break
fast in the morning. My working hours
were from $50 in the morning until
about in the evening. When my af-
ternoon work was done it was in order
to take charge of the children and do
the mending. The third day of my stay
my mistress brought out a miscellaneous
ARRAY OF CAST-oFF GOWNS.
I thought she was going to give them
to me. and was about to inform her
"that though poor | was proud, etc.
She had no notion of giving them to
me, but thought | might want to
buy them, as it would be sc
much cheaper than buying new goods
and paying for making. l didn't
invest, and she went away very wrathy
There were no rules for the servants
benefit i'll that place. | was expected
to do the work of three for the wages OF
one, and be the general scapegoat fol
all the shortcomings about the house.
When my week was up | was ready to
pack my grip and try another place.
''l'd like my pay, please, as FIN going
to leave" | gently remarked.
Your pay! What do you want pay
for?" my mistress Queried. ''You
HdkCH llOlC Ilittl tdIllCu yOuI DUdltt
besides, never pay girl for the first
week. 1t takes her about that long to
get used to the work." | insisted and
threatened to appeal to the law, but the
lady shrugged her shoulders and said
YOU'D better not waste your time max
ing fuss about it. We rent this place,
and have nothing that the law car
touch. Anyhow, hired girls are al
such liars that no one would believe
i +al
wished that had taken the girls wore
about that class of employers.
A girl whom | knew secured my mex
place as second girl in a wealthy family
There were five girls beside myself
The work was divided so that no ont
was obliged to do more than she wa:
able. The sleeping apartments were
neatly furnished and pleasant, the girl
being held responsible for their care
We had
A SEPARATE TABLE SERVICE,
but the same quality of food as at the
first table. We had at least two / our,
leisure in the afternoon. After the
work was done in the evening we coult
go out if we pleased, but were not al
lowed to stay later than 1890 withou
special permission. | was paid s.
week and received it promptly. Some
of the girls were foreigners and haC
DCCl ny lllC lHiSlItSS vi I'LL,
house. She often came down and talket
with the girls in friendly manner-ant
liked her views.
''How do you manage to obtain s.
good class of girls?'' L asked
Il do not hire a girl without refer
ences." she said. Casually a girl al
ready employed will bring friend VIII
wants place, and many other ladies d
the same as do in hiring help"
No, 4nl- II I.
euce?"
"Yes," she said, 81 had rather take
girl direct from home and teach he
than depend on those who have worke
everywhere and refuse to be taught"
''Isn't it a good deal of trouble to man
age and teach these girls?" questione
further.
"One objection is that girl often get
dissatisfied and wants to try new plac
after she becomes competent, so l al
ways have the work to do over agai
with new hand. Girls often thin
that anybody can do housework. not re
aliZing that it requires skill as well a
other kinds of work." was this lady
opinion.
l was sorry to leave this place, bu
did so, realizing that not all places Wer
SO pleasant. 1t is only just to say tha
on inquiry found many similar place
Nuere nlSlreSSeS TOOK great lntereS
in the girls welfare. Others said tina
they would like to help the domestic
but the larger portion are foreigner
and it is
DIFFICULT TO TEACH THEM.
My next experience was not so pleas
ant. L tried another large establish
ment.
"What's your name?" said my en-
ployer.
Mary" | replied.