The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-12
rnosE nnRRIn nlREn GIRLs

'S rVantgallSm is such universal
problem, with the well-tO-dO women
folk that it is difficult to advance or ap-
propriate anything bearing upon this
m6oted topic that will not be zealously
discussed and digested. In the stupid
and stilted formal calls Of the self-imag-
ined elite the shortcomings and trans
gressions of servants form as staple a
subject of conversation as the weather
does among men and bashful young
lovers. And the lady who tells the
most horrible story about ''my servants
considers that she has scored somewhat
of social success. Some menials have
long ears and sharp tongues, however,
and not infrequently her narrowing tales
are overheard and repeated in quarters
which do not improve her popularity AMI
prospects with girls who work out Tor
Il living"
Now we are not going to submit any
panacea for the ills of "servantgalism"
at least of our own making-but one
Benjamin Dobbin has unburdened his
mind through the richly laden columns
of the New York Commercial Advertiser,
and the following excerpt therefrOm
will be found decidedly entertaining:
Society has ossified into castles as ex-
elusive as are to be met with anywhere,
grading from the 400 down to the menial.
This was not always so. Andrew Car
negie, in his Triumphant Democracy
states that thirty years ago there was not
4 n liveTied servant in the cOuntry-that
servants were treated like members of
the family; to-day they are expected to
answer to the name of Bridget or Annie,
while they must address the schoolgirl
as Miss Amelie or Miss Hortense.
American girls are early taught to
consider themselves the equal of any
one; in the public schools they expe-
rience true and essential democracy;
sitting on the same bench, studying the
same lessons, they cannot or will
not acknowledge distinction in later
years.
"Our so-called better class holds views
and practise methods which make the
position of servant abhorrent to sensi-
l'tive mind. Nothing is so revolving and
un-American as the sight, common in
our city, of a crested carriage, with a
| liveried driver and tlunkey.
"Nurse girls wear the badge of their
servltude, and the men are looking about
for change IN evening attire which will
not confuse them with walters. just
as If 1t were disgrace to be mistaken
for one.
"What worse indignity could be dis
played toward any of our best families,
sO-called, than, to mistake the daughter
of the house for a servant.
Mrs. Mackey. an American, sued
newspaper for libel for publishing the
statement that she was formerly wash
woman. Suppose she had been, would
that have damaged her womanhood?
Just the same, the statement was cOnsid-
cred derogatory to her character and
social position.
'There are now more than enough
women willing to be servants, but they
are for the most part illiterate and vul-
gar-that is to be expected; no woman of
education and refinement will take the
position of menial."
Mr.. Dobbin gives enough food for
thought to keep a sewing circle busy
whole afternaon verbally digesting 1t.
Many of the hints he makes are very
lgood ones, Livericd servitude is partic-
ularly obnoxious, and contrary to every
instinct in typical American girl. The
badge of servility has no proper place in
n republic which holds that all men are
born equal, or thereabOuts.
While compiling for the sake of the
sweet sex, we must not forget to repro
duce an altogether excellent communica-
ton which is taken from the Boston
Post:
These, correctly understood, are as
follows: A high standard of work; due
consideration for the welfare of every
person concerned; good wages, promptly
paidI good service rendered therefor.
"fhe kitchen is not a charitable insti-
tuition, and, until we disabuse ourselves
of this idea, domestic labor win not
attain its true dignity, which lies almost
in tho hands of its workwomen, as is
the case with any other craft. The
= hOusekeeper must pay for what she
gets, and in order to be successful must
also get what she pays for. That is, she
must not scruple to demand good work
for good wages, positively refusing, for
the safety and honor of the home, tO
accept anything else. In the relation of
employer and employe there is always
opportunity for personal INTEREST," a foun-
dation for lifelong friendship, but the
safeguards that are carefully laid around
other business ventures must not be for
gotten here"
Pertinent, pointed and practical.
! Heaps of good sense in small compass.
The shrewd housekeeper will come very
near finding a key to the servant girl
= puzzle in this latter extract,
Barring the badges of mentality which
we advise all Americans to spurn al
r whatever cost, and poor girls may vel
a consider the domestic employment al
D compared with more popular but less
, paying and oveTcTowded pursuits.-TrO
K Press,