The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-21

Downcnst Housewives Think They Have Dis
covered . New Blessing.
From the Boston Daily Advertiser.

From the BostoR Daily Advertise.
Armenians as help were q novel experience for
housekeepers a year ago. To-day they arc
known to be genuine help, and the woman who
has got q good Armenian In her kitchen knows
that she has got q treasure.
Many OF the Armenians are college-bred men,
and somehow . paragraph gos into the papers
that women had SO usurped mans domain that
college men were Obliged to work in the kitchen.
OF course this is quite startling until one un-
derstands that these college men are the perse-
cuted Armenians who have fed to this country
for their lives.
II was Miss Alice BlackweI's idea that they
could be most useful in the kitchen. and from
the day she greeted the frat Armenian who
came 70 her for help until now she has done
what she could to make American women take
the same view of the matter. Now from all
sides reports are coming in to Miss Blackwell in
regard to the result Of the experiment, and the
universal verdict is that an Armenian in the
kitchen is q blessing. His marked characteris-
tics are gentleness. thoroughness, quickness
and studiousness. Miss Blackwell has herself
had several in her family. anu she therefore
knew whereof she spoke when she
Mrs. J. S. Barrows, wife of the Congressman.
who has had two Armentans. says that they are
the best help she has had for thirty years. The
hrst one. a college man, was with her until his
health began To fail. then. when he could no
lOUReT NOEk, anu II A6 uttGH5dE1 u tiES. a
rows to get some one else. he thought that 1t
was, of course, time for him TO go, and he would
have gone haa not I hFs boms wit ins iSsm mat "a
protesting that he ought not to stay and be a
bother he remained. and studies, and never let's
an opportunity pass of doing what he can for
the family. The second man had been q cook in
Constantinople until he set himself up IN the
porcelain store business. Then he, fed to
America, and now has been saving up his money
SO that soon ho can start in some sort OF bust
ness here, probably the tile business.
Mrs RaFFnWR EaVR. '1heV are lnEArtAhlv
polite, and arc perfectly willing. The first
Thursday the second Armenian had been with
him. but he said, on. iron to-day. You had
said The man. 1 can x 20 out sanday." y"
During the ysar the W; e; 7 u: and Miss
Armenians in households.
THE rooted idea" says Miss Blackwell. that
they are dangerous and hat they are ready to
stSdious. They, value education more than
had so free access to all educational advantages.
They seldom drink. and manufacturers have
them Monday morning. as they do not have to
hThey are very appreciative of kindness and
are very polite. II they are not politely used
"A New Hampshire woman who had taught a
green Irish girl the year before said that 1t was
he could not SPEAK English. When the Ar
HeulAD1 come mere IuGJ rarely sIuckG % uTlnhg
II they do later it is because they learned 1t in
this country, and IL Is SO in regard to nearly all
vices. One man made objection to Armenians
as help. saying that he had had anything but a
pleasant experience with them. 1t was after
ward ascertaIned that he had engaged Ar
u enians who had come to this country long be-
fore the massacres, and that they were simply
here in the spirit Of adventure. Those who have
been driven here through persecution are of an
entirely different class.
"As nurses the Armenians are very satisrac.
tory" continued Miss Blackwell. zone has
been nurEiuU Fhp husband of a friend of mine
and they ali say they never were relieved OF so
much care. There is always on hand a number
OF boys, who are only too glad TO get a chance
to work for their board, nights and mornings
have still men who would be glad OF chances to
do houAswork.'
Miss Lucy wheelock has been much pleased
with Armenians as household workers. The
testimony OF others is equally assuring.
Mrs. Judith Smith has a young Armenian to
do second girls work; and Is much pleased with
him. Her daughter. Mrs. Merrick, says: He is
OF his regular work To take care OF them; and
I~nOtice that the cat seems much more at home
In the kitchen now than she did before"
A lady IN weymouth says OF one who 10 doing
splendidly. He Is bright and smart. and 10 as
particular In his habits as any member Of the
family, and is treated Just ike one OF them"
found Aram faithful, Industrious and diligent,
hut also that he has a fine mind. He Is learning
English rapidly. II we find him far enough ad.
vanced in his studies to enter college, l shall do
all In my power TO procure him a chance"
The President OF Vassar College 10 now en-
ploying Armenian servants entirely. and is well
satisfied with them.
felt that. give them a chance, they will consti.
tute an important and useful element OF our
population" Or. Hamlin has spent thirty eight
years in Turkey.