The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-03-04
MIGRATORY SERVANTS.
They Come and Go with the Free
dom of the Wind.
To-day They Are Here and To-Morrow
Where Are TheY?-A Case Which
Many of Our Readers VIII
Appreciate.

In the matter of keeping servants
one can never tell when the lightning
will strike. To-day she is here, and to
morrow where is she? The domestic
harmony is fair and lovely as a sum
mer day; then suddenly and without
any warning whatever the girl appears
with the remark: 81 must leave or
Monday, ma'am." The lady of the
house is Frustrated with CONSERVATION;
she reminds the girl of the dress she
gave her for Christmas; promises her
fifty cents week more wages and an
other night off, but these arguments
and petitions are useless; the girl is
adamant in her determination. She
had made up her mind. Other people
make up their minds sometimes, but
they are as pliable as wax compared to
The servant.
After the lady of the house has had
the matter to her bet ter half, who re-
marks complacently: what Mariar
going? You can't persuade her to stay?
Nonsense! You women never know
how to do these things. You lack
diplomacy and tact. You have to
handle these matters gently. Let me
tackle Marian" So in blithe way he
approaches Maria and says:
Il hear you have some tn houghts of
taking your departure?"
''1f it's lawn you name, you have
hurd right" is the answer.
Tut, Mariar, know you don't in
tend doing anything of the kind. Get
that idea out of your mind"
81 goes on Monday" replies Maria,
and plunges her hands into the tub and
says no more.
The reasons for her going are many,
for Maria is but type. Sometimes it
is to visit sick sister, brother or
cousin; sometimes tho climate doesn't
agree with her; sometimes she is going
TO marry the coachman around the
corner and have house of her own.
Again she is going without any appar-
ent reason. She likes the family; the
wages are all right; there is nothing
the matter with the missus, but she is
just going. She is bird of passage,
and when the inclination comes to fly
she spreads her wings and vanishes.
You might as well try to imprison an
eagle as to keep her when her soul is
bent on flying.
A family on Sproat street had an eX-
perience with one of these restless souls
which will long remain sad memory.
The yearning to be away-as strong as
that of the robins when winter comes
always seizes the faithful domestic
when the house is full of company. In
this case a second cousin, his wife and
two children were making visit at the
house of the Sproat street resident,
who is of a hospitable disposition and
doess't mind how much company he
has if the wheels of domestic affairs are
moving smoothly. No sooner were the
newcomers fairly installed than Maria.
or to speak more specifically, and not of
a type, Katie, approached the lady of
the house.
You'll have to find a new girl,
maam."
The lady gave miniature Shrek.
Surely you ATE joking, Katie" she
faltered.
I'm not joking, ma'am, I never
joke"
But you would not leave me like
this?"
Il give you fair warning, ma'am.
That is all poor girl is expected to do"
But the house is full of guests and
what will they have to eat?"
That's not my lookout, ma'am. Per-
haps they can cook for themselves"
The lady begged and implored, and in
answer to all her rsupplications came the
firm reply: II leave on Choosday,
ma am"
That afternoon the lady explained
the situation to her husband in tremu-
lous tones. What shall we do. dear"
she exclaimed. What shall we doq"
"Never mind, love-" he replied. "A
girl like Katie shan't phase you. Wen
get another girl soon and meanwhile"
Meanwhile"
"Pll get early and fix the fire"
"Ah"
"And start the furnace"
"Oh."
"And sweep off the sidewalk"
"You darling"
Then they embraced tenderly. His
brave, helpful nature sustained her
dropping spirits in the hour of trial.
The first thing he did that night was
to purchase an alarm clock and when
he went to bed, set it for six
o'clock. Before dropping to sleep, he
remarked, reassuringly, to his wife:
Don't worry, now. The clockll 90
off. III put on the coffee myself"
1t seemed to him that he had hardly
sunk into slumber when he was awalS-
ened by horrible din as though a
boiler explosion had taken place under
the bed. He sprang mp in alright and
reached for his revolver, while stars
danced before his eyes. Then he dis
covered that it was only the alarm
clock. He pulled on his trousers the
wrong way and fell over chair in try
ing to get them on. al which he said
that caused his wife TO re-
mark, in drowsy tones: Remember,
we have guests, dear" Then the
owner of the voice sank into slumber
once more, while he, half attired. with
has coat and vest on his arm, devoid of
collar and carrying his shoes, started
downstairs IL was very dark. He