The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-04-10
TIE MOVEMENT FAILED.
An ATT emp. to Repress Extravaganza In
Dress Among Hired Girls

There is a young matrOn living in
one of the small cities III the interior
of New York State who doubtless, in
moments of honest self-communion
wishes she had let we'll enough, or ill
enough alone. She undertook recent
". single-handed, a crusade from
which many an older and bolder wo-
man might have and has shrunk. Her
sense of propriety and the eternal fit
ness of things was wounded by the at
tire of her own and her friends women
servants. Gay colors, silk and satin
fabrics, flowers, feathers, ribbons-all
the fripperies which the soul of Bridget
delights in-she felt were neither suit
able nor becoming. and she determin-
ed to bring about change.
To this end she drew up and clrcu-
lated for signatures among her friends
n petition or resolution which should
bind every signer not to employ or re-
tain in her service any maid who
would not consent to restrict her at
tire to certain prescribed limits, which
were, practically, plainly made dark
gowns with cap and apron when on
duty, and nothing better than a wooden
gown of simple design for Sunday and
day off use.
But, alas, for the loyalty of friends!
Although many, indeed most of the
recipients of the pledge had joined
with its author in complaints of the
evil it strove to mitigate, when it came
to taking bold stand in the matter
their courage was lacking. The paper
made its round and returned signer-
less. But it was not without result.
One of those whom it was designed to
educate got knowledge of its exist
ence and mission. The story spread
from kitchen to kitchen, gaining force
and length as it flew. The maids at
tempted coalition and succeeded bet
ter than the mistresses. A boycott was
declared against the young matron
who foolishly thought to make head
way against the independence of Amer
lean help, and her corps of servants is
now secured from outside places.
A complement and moral to this
story, says writer in the Sun, is the
recent experience of Brooklyn lady.
Christmas brought her coveted seal
skin sacque, of which her colored
nurse was, as events proved, most
sincere admirer. The maid was about
to purchase winter cloak, and the
horror of the mistress may be fancied
when she appeared in it. Although of
coarse brown plush, in color, style and
general effect it was the fac-simile of
of her own costly fur garment. The
lengths of the two cloaks did not vary
half an inch; they were both of sacque
shape, and so identical in appearance
that at a glance they appeared to be
twin garments.
To increase the wretchedness of the
situation, the mistress was in mourn
ing, and the maid had black cloth
dress for usual wear. 1t was the lady's
habit on every pleasant day to take
her nurse and baby over to spend an
hour with her invalid mother and to
do so she must traverse couple of
blocks of fashionable thoroughfare.
One ordeal was enough. She tried to
induce the nurse to exchange her gar
ment for one of another style, Offering
to pay any loss she might sustain, but
Topsy was indignant, and clung to her
elegance. Then, as the sealskin could
not go, the maid had to. The nurse
lost good place and the mistress
faithful servant through Incompatible
ty-not of temper, but of clothes-all
of which the young matron may read
with complacency.