The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-04-01
THE JAPANESE MAID.
ESSs Cherry Blossom Serves Well In
Cap and Apron.

Cap and Apron.
"How do the japanese compare with
the Chinese as servants?" gentleman
asked of lifelong friend who had had
experience with help OF both national.
tiles,
There is no comparison" was the re.
ply. The Chinese are efficient, but
they are awfully set in their ways. II
you give a Chinaman an order to-day he
will do that very same thing the next
day, and every other day, no matter
how absurd it may be, unless expressly
told not to do so. A japanese will use
his own Judgment and save you a lot OF
bother. The japanese adapt them
selves to our customs very quickly and
they are naturally courteous and oblig.
ing. They don't mind work, either.
have a friend whose one servant is a
japanese girl, and she does the work of
the entire house for less wages than a
German or Swede would and just as
thoroughly.
What delights me with the japanese
is that they are so careful and ecOnom.
ical," this lady continued. Nothing
is ever wasted in the kitchen since
Bohma was installed, and my butcher
bills are lessened considerably. Then
she is always scrubbing up the tables
and dressers, and l believe she puts or
clean clothing every day. L always see
her washing hanging out late in the
afternoon"
Inquiry discovers that there are q
great many japanese in the big cities
of the union, and that every ship that
comes brings a fresh relay of 20 or 80
A japanese mission established in
Brooklyn finds homes for any number
of these adventures. AS the new
corners, omatterwhattheir proficiency
or social standing may be, are totally
unacQuanted with localities, the rate of
wages, etc, they gladly accept the do
mestic service which gives them shell,
ter and food for present needs. The
managers report that those supplied
with places invariably give satisfaction.
\ number Of japanese girls and women
who came over to the worlds fair were
stranded in the country and have had
to support themselves as best they
could. All these have taken refuge in
housework Or have been engaged as
sewing maids. They came originally
to dance or sing or form a part Of a
japanese booth or domestic "interior."
Their aim, after being dismissed, was
to make money enough to return home,
81 : 4
vantage of life in America and have de-
cided to live here.
Of late years many business men have
lived for months or years in Japan,
having their families in residences.
Their japanese servants have accom-
panied them to America and neighbors
of these returning absentees, noting the
efficiency of their eastern dOmesticS
have gotten them to bring out relatives
or friends to serve in like capacity in
their households; thus the infection
spreads. The japanese consul in New
York has sometimes as many as % APP
plications in single day for servants.
Il want a cook and butler l hear
the japanese are so thoroughly reli-
able" says servant-hunting house
keeper. You must excuse my trou-
bling YOU" she adds, as it dawns on her
that the consul does not necessarily
keep an employment agency.
I'VE sometimes find places for our
countrymen newly-landed," says the
consul, and then ne turns her over to
his secretary, who in turn, directs her
to an uptown flat where Columbia col
lcge student keeps an impromptu in
telligence bureau for fellows of his race
These college aspirants think well of
the $50 or $50 a month which such po-
sitions give them. They work in these
various callings for year or two until
they accumulate little money and then
they finish their college course or set
up business for themselves. One of the
partners in a big Broadway store de-
voted entirely to japanese wares was
two years ago a trusted IMAM of all
work" in a well-known American fam
lily. He saved $500 and won the last
ing respect and friendship of his EN-
plOyers, who were loath to lose him.
n. Y. Commercial Advertiser.