The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-10-05
A Young Housskeeper's Ex-
perience.

coln.1
A Young Housekeeper's Ex-
perience.
When I had been housekeeping for
about year friend Of mine, who vas
to be absent On a Pro,raeted stay in
Europe, offered ne her elegant home to
live IN during her absence if would take
charge Of L. Is Is large, rOOmy house,
with ali modern equipments sumptuously
furnished, situated in the midst Of spac-
ioUs grounds on an arm Of the sea-
AsI had been accustomed to doing
my own work II a New York fat, the
assumption Of such burden seemed very
onerous. But who ever knew an ambit-
ious housekeeper to refuse greatness when
thus thrust upon her? Ny spirits rose TO
the occasion, and determined 70 make
q grand success Of the new venture.
Ny friend took ne all through the
house. showed ne What was % be done,
and outlined her mode Of procedure IN
the management Of her household Her
suggestions I most gratefully received,
but 1 resolved 70 look over the Whole
field and marx out ny Own course,
according 70 what seemed to me Wisest
and best. There were TO be two servants,
who would be respohsibls for the house
work, while the gardener Of the adjoin-
ing place took charge Of the grounds and
kept them in order.
Ofthe two servants. both nice, capz-
bic, Swedish girls, L1ttie had been e.
ta5lishs,i As cook and laundress in the
family for some months but Lisbeth vas
entirely new 10 the situation, AMI her /
had the pleasure oftraining TO her new
duties.
For nv own guidance made mem
orandum Of what she was to DO, and as it
may help other young h0Gsekeepers II
similar circumstances I give IL hereEith-
Asmy husband had to be IN his Office
at nine the hour for breakfast was placed
At seven This gave ample time for
family deyotions and leisurely leave
taking.
Lisbeth's first duty upon coming down
in the morning Eas to - through al Tie
rooms on the first d00r, arrange them
tidiiy If they needed It. open the windows
TO admit the fresh morning air, sweep
the piazzas, and put the dining room in
perfect order. By the time the table vas
set the breakfast bell rang, AMI breakfast
was served There Was no necessity for
a rising bell, for we needed no other
reminder than the sunrise gun and morn
ing bug.s from the neighboring fort
As soon as Lisbeth's duties Of waiting
on table we're over she went 70 the bed
rooms, put the beds to air, filed the
pitchers, and emptied the wastewater
after which she ate her own breakfast
Then followed thecIeaiing ofthetabie,
brushing up Of crumbs, washing the
dishes, after which the beds were made,
tAe MONS busted and put in perfect
order
Then she a,teuded to the lamps. for ws
we're far from gas, and our house was not
lighted by electricity IS we're those Of
some Of our nei shbors, after which
Lis5eth bad some time 10 herself before
dinner.
This vas her rega.ar daily rlGtine- IN
addition on Mondays she washed the
kitchen dishes, slalded tie chamber
ware, and washed her one .otheS
Oa Tuesdays The halls and s,aircases
we're swept, and silver scaureL On
Wednesdays the dining room v1s given
a thorousa sweeping, AMI suea Vindows
- n=e,ie,! eiean.1g we're polished Ga
Thursdays two OF tie large bedrooms
we're carefully swept, the beds changed,
and mattresses brushed. On Fridays
t-erem1ining two bedrooms we're cleaned
ir the sane way. And on Saturdays the
parlcr and library we're swept and busted.
The work was 80 distributed through
the week that she vas not Overburisnei,
AMI there was no tine for her % besidie
and become disconten5ed- TIE gir-s
arranged between themselves what after-
noon. they should beout. and aseach xas
competent 70 I'll the others place, this
entziled no extra work upon the house
keeper.
The system thus iuaugurzted worked
admirably, and I vas often tempted %
sxclaim- What calamity ! D sGlTer
hereafter for having 50 easy time nov"
fould l. best 20 leave each girl % 10
her work in hero way, only holding
her accountable for results. Nevertheless
frequently made suggestions where [
thought they would be helpful, and they
we're invariably received in the spirit n
which t-@v Ters uarie