Morning journal and courier., 1892-05-28
THE PrRFrcr FRIEND.

Accounted sure;
 One only love Is ours
 That will endure. All other friends are dear; He knows how dear WRo gave them for our joy And solace here.
 All other loves are sweet; He knows how sweet Of whom sad souls that lack For love entreat.
 But friends however true This life will test,
 And they will fail us oft Who know us best.
 And loves however strong In time may change; Misfortunes may divide, New ties estrange.
 Sorest of all will come Some sad offense;
 Mistrust will chill, and doubt Drive friendship hence.
 o slow of heart to learn
 One only perfect friend HARRIET MoExEs KTnbAIL-. A GERMAN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.
 The, Housewife's Union of Berlin, of which Frau Linda Morgenstern is the orig inator and chief executive officer, is one Germany. It was formed eighteen or twenty years ago by the housekeepers of that city, for the purpose of lowering the exorbitant prices demanded for the neces- sities of life. This they accomplished by aregularly organis ed boy colt or the offend ing dealers. Next the union turned its attention to charitable work. After the Franco Prussian war the population of Berlin was largely increased, and there was much suffering among the poor. From this Union alone more than three thousand poor received assistance each winter for several years. Then came @ time when the adulteration of food was carried on to such excess that none but the wealthy could procure proper nourishment. Against this iniquitous trade the Union arrayed itself, bringing the matter before the government and se- curing its protection for the laboratories which they established for the purpose of analysing food and detecting frauds.
 The "People's Kitchen" where the poor may obtain wholesome food, a free intelli- gence office, and a cooking school conduct ed in the most thorough fashion with nom- inal admission fees and several free scholarships, are all under the manage ment of the union. The leading spirit is still Frau Morgenstern, shrewd, intelli- gent woman with a genius for affairs, who, besides handling all these various interests, edits The German Housewife's Journal, the official organ of the Union.
 The plan of encouraging faithful domes- tic service by public recognition and re- ward is also an idea of Frau Morgenstern's. It is in the nature of an attempt to restore the old-time system of friendly relationship between servants and employers, and to improve the class of domestic servants by encouraging their fidelity. The Union holds yearly meetings, at which it's prizes are presented. To be entitled to the low est prize woman must serve acceptsbly for five years in the same household. This reward takes the form of an engraved cer- tifcate and handsome silver brooch with the monogram of the Union and the legend "Reward for Faithful Service" For longer terms the reward is given in coin, at the rate of gold mark for each year of service. The last public meeting was held in March, when fifty-five women received the prizes, the highest being sent to housekeeper who had served for fifty years in the same place, outliving two generations and now affectionately cared for by the descendants of those with whom she first took service. Next on the list was a housekeeper of thirty-eight years' standing in the same household, then a cook of thirty years service. and so on down to those whose term had reached five years. Some touching stories of fdel- ity in misfortune, of attachment founded upon pride and interest in the employers family. were told to the large audience ill the council room of the city hall, the faithful servants were applauded, and even the employers very properly came in for their share of congratulation.
 This idea is fine one, and practicable, too-in Berlin. In America the general sense of personal independence and the rasf1ooo cr,irif of tho lima rGc ct long terms of service. The mistress con- plains of incompetency and lack of inter est, the servant of exactions and inconsid- eratsness Servants are 8 peripatetic, 8 floating race, and from many harrassed households the Norahs and Dinahs, the Gretchens and Hildas continually pass and repass, @ procession of the inefficient and insubordinate. There are many beautiful exceptions to the rule, it is true, where the kindly nature has won affection, and jus tice has gained respect, but these examples are not to be found every day. Moreover in the free air of America long tarrying does not always agree with ser want. Pride and interest in the family become ownership, and the subordinate seeks to be head of the house. Then comes the time to say farewell. The memory of one such servant is recalled-a faithful, honest, deft-handed creature, terror to peddlers and tramps, more valiant than any watchdog in defence of household property, yet becoming, after years of ser vice, intolerably "top-lofty" and pragmat- | ical. When she at last departed with the Dennis of her long-delayed choice and transferred her petty tyrannies to a smaller sphere, the family whom she had owned experienced sense of relief, and while | they missed her services, were too happy in their emancipation to be other than re- l signed to her loss. HILARY.