Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-01
MANAGING SERVANTS.
Rather Pathetic Letter From a Young
5 Wife Who Is in Trouble.
SHE CAN NOT KEEP HER HELP.
Ellice Serena Throws Some Light on the
All-lmportant Topic.
SOME USEFUL HOUSEHOLD RECIPES
WRITTEN FOR THE prsPArcH.I


my table, and it is such characteristic one
that am sure do not betray any conf.
dence in making it public, although 1t was
not intended for publication. The letter il
entirely womanly; and many young wife
will recognize how faithfully the writer of
it depicts the trials and experiences of her
class.
will you be kind enough" writes "In-
experienced, Ito help me out of diff
Guilty that is wearing my life away? I have
have not been married long-just about two
years-but it is long enough to convince me
that young girls are foolish to rush into
matrimony without some knowl-
edge of housekeeping, managing serv-
ants, etc. have come to the conclu-
sion that woman who cannot manage a
house is unequal to the management of
that have averaged servant month
since began housekeeping. keep nurse
when can get one who will agree with the
cook, but sometimes they both leave, and
usually with the parting salute I never
lived with such q woman in all my life 1
pay good wages and my husband says he
would pay even more il we could have q
little comfort. He is fortunately good
natured, at least he does not complain very
much; but am sure he is often disguised
with the state of affairs, especially when the
baby is peevish Che is teething) and the
dinner is late. My piano has not been
opened for six months. The only music we
have is from the baby, and must say he
keeps it up pretty we'll. My hands are
blistered from trying to cook, and they are
rough and red from real hard work"
Glad She Is Learning.
will be excused from quoting from her
letter here literally. Being Of a personal
and complimentary character it shall not
be obtruded on the public. 1t is very
gratifying to hear that she is learning to
cook and to economize-in the Kitchen, and
that to this end these letters have been some
what helpful. And now she asks for an
article ION the management of servants and
if there is any way can keep one long
enough to get little rest"
One who would answer the servant girl
question with an answer that would be sat-
isfactory to everybody interested, would be
deserving of being held in respectful and
grateful remembrance by all womankind.
This would be impossible. The subject,
like many OF those which belong to the
domain of political science, is incapable, I
suspect, of practical solution, for the
reason that SO many circumstances peculiar
to each particular case have to be taken
into the account. The conditions being so
various it Is impossible to lay down rules
which are invariably to be adhered to.
To start with, we must assume that any
woman who employs hired help is, or should
be. somewhat of a. judge of human nature.
Servant folk differ the one from the other in
as many ways as other folk do. There are
servants whom no amount of training, no
acts of kindness, could make otherwise than
extravagant. thoughtless and SLOW
emily, Some there are who, it might seem,
try hard to do nothing beyond their as
signed and specified work, and scarcely
that. These would grudge the mistress the
of an agreeable surprise. From
such as these we may supplicate TO be de-
livered The treatment which in some
cases would develop all the better qualities
of servant, might in other cases prove
detrimental and might altogether miscarry.
On the Right Way.
1t is likely that the desire, or rather the
to master the servant ques-
tion to such a woman as "1neIperienced'
will be crowned in due time with success.
If she is unfortunate in some affairs she
most assuredly is fortunate in others. She
has, from her own confession, loving and
an indulgent husband, and she has given,
as Lord Bacon has it, "hostages to fortune
i'm her offspring Her place in the house
hold Is thus fixed by fate, and she duly ap-
preciates it.
Some mistresses expect servants to be ab- |
solutely and unqualifedly deferential in |
mistaking formality for respect,
which is to respect what chaff is to the |
grain. The mistress-what Ruskin calls |
the "loaf- -giver," that is the true "lady"-
is recognized everywhere and known OF all |
and by none better than by her maid. She |
is as much the "loaf-giver" in the kitchen |
as she is the "lady" in the drawing room. |
In her ability in being equal to the occa-
sion, and in the consistency of her deport- |
ment, her dependents recognize her place. |
So that the woman who has recourse to ad- |
yentitious, to questionable and not to |
natural methods to enforce respect and |
obedience, and services grudgingly given |
from her help will, nine times in ten, fail. |
The incapacity of the mistress is too |
often the cause OF the ineficiency of the |
servant. True, there are some dependents
who are rather independent-some whom |
kindness will not improve or better, but
taken altogether there are not many SUCH |
None can know the little weak nesses, the |
vhims, the desires to be gratifed of the
,ook or the chambermaid, better than she |
whom they serve. And this because they
ire all women.
Some women's Natural Gifts
Some mistresses have the faculty from the
tart of winning the entire confidence of
heir servants; so much so indeed that the
ervants will see every thing commendable
n them, and will even pattern themselves
.fter them. This, 1 am we'll aware, would
,e distasteful to some women; some would
lot tolerate the idea; while on the other
and some very sensible and excellent ladies,
f the opportunity offers, make the most of
he foible. and will even encourage it.
Eighty things in this worlds history have
cen consummsted by appealing to the
anity of womankind. And here the house
rife can benefit herself much If she will.
me may ingratiate herself with her maid by
complimenting her for neatness
person, for taste in,dress, or by suggesting
Dmething for her comfort or pleasure.
Some mistresses have the faculty from the |
TART of winning the entire confidence of
heir servants; so much so, indeed, that the
srvants will see everything commendable
0 them, and will even pattern themselves,
, far as is consistent with their station, after
hem. The mistress should have forbearance
,r the little faults of those whose opportuni-
es have been limited; and she must have,
nd she must show, consideration for their
ealth. their strength and their comfort. If
,e writer of this might offer an opinion
this matter based on her own experience,
he would without hesitation say that more
gained by consistent course of kindness
ian by any other method.
The Division of the Duties.
Where two or more servants are employed
ne common source of trouble mentioned by
arises from their duties