Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-03-10
BUTLERS AND WALLETS.
MEN WHO SERVE IN PRIVATE
HOUSEHOLDS.
Their Number Has Increased Ten Times
In as Many Years-What n Body
Servant Has to DO and
What He Gets for II.

creased more fapluIy rs CLASS tndn
any other wage-earners in New York
city. says the sun.
Where one man was employed in
any one of these capacities ten years
ago. 100 are drawing high wages to-
day ~ semi-ornamental attendants
upon wealthy families.
At Newport. Bar HarbOr and other
summer centers of fashion. the social
status of hostess l. often settled by
the number of stout-limbed. broad
shouldered, gold-laced functionaries
she is able to keep for the decoration
of her establishment.
The Offices OF major domo and liver
led turnkey aye of foreign importa-
ton. In the South. befoi the war
every gentleman had what he called
his "body servant" besides the
'.yaller boy" that waited in the din
ing room.
In the West the groom was utterly
unknown, and even New Workers. laid
little stress upon being served by
men. The best Knickerbocker house
holders held that deft, light-footed
maids were quite sufficient for ele
gance and comfort; and coachman
was the sole masculine element to be
found in their household
The French sommelier is expert.
amiable and tries faithfully to give
satisfaction. But he is frequently
careless in the matter of bathing and
linen, and dcspises the very details
that go to make a perfect domestic.
The Americans are the least satisfac-
tory of the lot. 1t seems impossible
for them to acquire the deferential de-
meanor 80 desirable, or take the
serious pride in their profession that
gives the English butler such an air
of lofty exclusiveness. They usually
feel that domestic servitude Is de-
grading, and are either sulkily indiffer-
ent or restless and impertinent. Even
livery and buttons are unable to
subdue the national bumptiousness.
In England they have brought the
art of personal service to approach
perfection, yet only the stewards of
great establishments receive the
wages paid ordinary men servants
here.
A man at the head of great house
hold is satisfied with Flo month.
1t would make the average American
open his eyes to see what is required
of a gentleman's head servant in
England.
Unless the family is large he is ex-
pected to manage without second
man, and is majordomo without the
title. He is supposed to rise early,
take rs thorough Tubing as his
master, and be down stairs to set the
domestic machinery in motion.
As soon as the work Is under way
he goes to his employers apartment.
carrying hot water and the morning
papers. These last have all been
carefully aired and dried To dssipate
any possible odor of ink.
His duties are TO prepare his mas
ter's bath. lay out his things, make
ready to shave him. and then receive
and write down his orders for the
day
He removes from the room every
article of clothing worn the evening
previous, as no well-grOomed Eng
lishmen would dream of appearing in
garments that were not freshly
spon9ed and pressed after each wear
ing. When his master is ready to
rise he assists at his toilet. and. that
over, descends at once to serve break
fast.
My lady then criticises the menus
he submits for the next three meals.
at the same time sketching her own
plans for the day. She tells him
what guests are expected, what trains
he must meet. what preparations to
make, with the shopping. mailing
and messenger service she will re-
quire.
During the morning he attends the
door. announces callers and is always
present to hand every lady to he
carriage and every gentleman his hat
and cane. The buffers spare moments
are occupied in lacquering his mas
ter's boots, brushing and ironing his
clothes and supervising the household
generally.
At > o'clock, himself in full dress.
he serves tea in the drawing-room.
and later dresses his master for
dinner That is an eight-o'clock and
elaborate function in English homes.
Among other things he is held re-
sponsible for the weekly bills, is sup
posed to direct the marketing and
maids, and buys and arranges flowers
hn fah liz
ployer exacts that he shall purchase
every railway ticket for the family,
look after time tables and baggage,
attend departing guests to the depot,
and never leave them until they are
satisfactorily settled in their coach,
by which he stands TO touch his hat
as the train rolls away.
It is rarely one finds rich Ameri-
cans of the older generation who en-
ploy Wallets. They rather despise them
a evidences Of effeminacy. But they
permit their sons to indulge such lux
urious tastes. and hundreds Of men
not only keep Wallets at home. but
take their servants travelling, and
even To country houses about New
York
These positions are pleasant and
paying so far as labor is concerned.
but it requires patience and pliancy
to fulfill the duties satisfactorily.
The valet is not supposed to have
any regular hours for eating OF
sleeping. but snatches his refresh.
ment between whites when his ma -tel