Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-01

occasion Of engaging help and as nearly as
possible every duty defined, for it often
results that q servant holds ut the ex.
plration OF month that she has
been called upon to do this and that not in
cluded in the agreement and consequently de-
mands more pay. Many seeking places est-
mate their services at much higher rates tbs n
they are willing to take when brought down
to business principles. The housekeePer
must KNOW exactly what duties she will
expect pc;aa,r her domestic to perform and
pay. little vacilation will give a sharp ap-
p.lcant, and they are nearly all sharp, chance
to pry the limit up notch or two before the
matron knows Il, and once out of balance it Is
hard to recover. 1t is wise when engaging a
servant Tor one month on trial to have it
understood that the engagement: can be termi-
mated at any time within that month, the
wages payable pro rata, if the omploye proves
entirely unsuitable. Many Il hOusekeeper has
mad TO suffer weeks Of torture or pay full
months wages for few days labor of a
thoroughly undesirable servant because of a
simple one months engagement
coMMENDABLE PLAN.
Washington lady has a unique plan for
Keeping her servants and always has good ones
and is the envy in that respect of her neigh
bors and friends. She contracts to pay semi
monthly with a beginner at the rate OF $3.50 a
week for n certain class of work for the first
SIX months, g. 10 for the second six months,
90 per week tor over year and under two
years, and for over two years ami
as long as the servant will stay
$3.50 week. Twelve dollars IL month is the
average payment for this class OF work. saw,
While at $3.50 a week the pay is Is a month.
1hls Is a hlgh-merlt mark to which an in
dustrlOus. contented and competed servant
should be willing to work up to. This or some
KINDRED plan is admirable, especially where but
one or two servants are Kept, for securing CT
1ectlve and continuous service.
TIE LAW ABOUT HIRED GIRLS.
In England it is the law tina. when person
hires a servant, unless otherwise agreed upon,
the hiring is for year. There is no such law
III this country. Occasionally girl is hired
Tor a certain length OF time, in which case q
written agreement should be had, the same as
III regard to the hiring Of any Other class of
employees. With this exception verbal con-
tract is sufficient if it can be proved, and both
the employer and servant are bound by it.
For this reason the presence of third party is
always advisable.
ABOUT DIsCHARGING SERVANTS.
Many housekeepers allow unsuitable and I'M
desirable servants to remain in their employ
because they imagine they have no legal right
to discharge them. Among other good reasons
the following are allowable and Will hold good
IN law: Gross Carelessness, wiliful neglect OF
duty, gross inciviiity. prolonged or frequent
absence from the house without permits
sion. immortality, characterization. inability
to do the work hired for whether from sick
ness or other causes, gross uncleanilncss, the
commission OF any crime or mlsdCmeanor, the
contracting of am contdgioU or loathsome dis
ease, incompetency to perform the duties en-
gagged for. II a servant Is taKen sick SO that
she ID unable to do her work she cannot legally
collect her wages, but humanity kindly over
LOOKS this point-at least for reasonable