Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-11-13
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Continued and Concluded Comments ca
Present Difficulties IN Domestic soT'l'''
While the responses on the unhinged
condition in housekeeping have not been
many, still there have been enough to
show that women in Fort Worth, as else
where, recognize this condition. A ply
stefan iirss finds out the malady and then
sets about seeking a remedy. Now 1t
has been found that the body domestic
ia sick: that Incompetence aud unrelia-
hilitv 10 house service is a prominent
feature Of the prevailing disorder.
The letter writer's unite on one plan,
that OF an organization, defensive
against unwarrantable encroachments,
but the plan for this organizing is not
defined Several enjoin that the golden
rule enter into the relation OF mistress
and servant, that that clause of the
tenth commandment relating to coVet-
ing OF man or maid servant be mora
scrupulously observed, while another
suggests that n system Of rewards for
fidelity and continued service be Insti-
tuted All have III them much to recm-
mend, but will the ladies make practical
what at present is only theOretlc:
IN the waiting, it might not be amiss to
remember thet eternal vigilance is the
price OF the comforts of q home. That
instructions to servants should tnot be
accompanied with an apology, that in
the beginning tho servant should be
made to feel that entire supremacy
Is in the hands Of the employer,
also that any extending Of privileges
showing IN eaCorness to please the en-
ploye Is harmful. Kindness there should
he, but or the quality q benefactress be-
slows. There must be Mt first patience
tempered with Grmness, and when faults
That are not radical exist en- offer of in
creased pay when better service is gwen
may stimulate TO extra efforts at i'm
provement.
no fixed rules can be given; every
change makes 4 new study, but house
keepers can protect themselves in de-
gree by fixed rate Of pay for work up
TO the grade ana a refusal TO receive
servant who cannot present good cTeden-
tlGls, while much cor-upting of good SER
vice will be obvlated if, rs has been
limited, there is 10 intermeddliug and
the golden rule observed between house
keepers as well rs between employer and
employed
Is domestic service IL Fort Worth out
q hinge?
Yes, in way peculiar to its own
locality.
ESQ, how shall it be placed upon its
hinges?
To solve the question in one section of
our country would not answer here, for
we have different elements Of discord.
1t seems 10 me the first step would be to
have housekeepers form an organization
and by patient and united effort en-
deavor to fnd solution of the trouble.
Servants as well rs mistresses have their
rights and an open ear to the cry of the
mass. Servant girl, "What shall we do
with the missises?'' might be another
step in the right direction. c.
-
Having always been accustomed 70
white help, Of course l prefer it, though
the colored may be equally as good.
always consider foreign help supe-
rior, for they have learned before COM
Ing to this country that work does not
Kill, ana industry only is considered re-
spectacle.
We have found more trouble 10 obtain
good servants than TO retain them after
procuring. The sitting out of the chaH
10 find the one possible is the eXasperat-
ing part
y woman exchange. - or organ
izution of some kind. believe, would
help us wonderfully in this respect.
''E PlurIbus Uaum' we women are
finding out slowly for ourselves, and are
follow :nS in the footsteps of our stronger
brethren. The truth, If we could learn
TO run our households more rs men run
their business, we should find more sue
cess attending orr Efforts, am sure.
The same watchful oversight that our
husbands give to The details of their
a T,F- T., Tpf !
We should try 70 emulate.
Not only DO we ask work Of our help, !
but DO we not slso expect them TO assume |
responsibilities which nre ours ana |
ought not TO be required OF them? |
Many Of our Eastern friends |
and English cousins who enjoy the |
luxury OF paid houseHeepers can well |
afford TO occupy themselves exclusively |
with outside matters If they desire, |
visiting, calling, shopping, etc. But |
We, in most Instances, are forced to be |
our own houselSeepers; and yet do we !
not often absent ourselves most of the |
day rather to avoid than to know what |
our servants are doing?
IL business men 50 managed with |
clerks would results prove any more !
satisfactory? Would not peeulstions oc-
cur, stock run down and frequent |
changes he in order? 'With nerves |
and temper all a jinEle?''
If we cannot let help off at regu-
lar hours daily, can we not give them an
afternoon ont during the week and their
sunday evenings. And while we NAV
insist upon reservinE the exclusive right |
10 our front door and the front of the
house for ourselves and our friends, can
We not give girl her own room-the |
kitchen and the use Of the diniug-room
when not otherwise needed.
Lastly, why may we not bestow that |
kindness and human interest in their
lives which they are expected TO have in
ours, and thus. without sacrifice of self
respect, receive that voluntary considera-
ton ana respect which is most valuable
wien freely given. l..
The many valuable remarks and sug-
gesJions on domestic service in last Sun
day : GAZETTE were read with much in
terest and appreciation By at least one
OF many in Egyptian bondage' IN this
city, who can testify 10 the fact that said |
service l. in truly nh ''uuhiDUel - con- |