New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-24
INTERESTING COMMUNICATIONS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Your correspondents. Reader and a.
c." nave aroused in desire TO dip my little
into the troubled OF the domestic service
controversy.
I went to housekeeping twenty years ago with
all sorts of ideas In my head as TO the causes OF
the servant difficulty. which was as much ois-
cussed then as now. My girlhoods home was
one of luxury, but recall no time when we hau
servants that cared to keep from year TO year.
was observing. l said to myself, Mother does
not do enough for them; they are leading num-
drum lives and need diversion. When nave
home OF my own shall do differently We all
know how common 1t is for youth to feel superior
to
NV first home after marriage vas an apartment.
requiring only one servant My sister Servants
recommended a friend. l interviewed her' nkeu
her and asked for reference. She gave me the
name OF an old friend Of mine with whom sne
said she had lived cook for two years rcei-
ing sure all was safe. engaged her. without see
ing Mrs r. first Aftorward | wrote for the IN
formation. and my friend replied: ! cannot con-
scientiously recommend a girl who left my cinp'o!
without notice to enter yours. after having lived
with me- for two years
NJ friend never quite believed thar hau not
known Mary was living with her at the time III
tcr,icHod her. and on That point we hhEc pecn
a little uncomfortable ever since | told mary l
could not allow mon 20 call on her IN my small
onorfmcnt and to compensate herself she enter
,ained Thorn on the roof all day long on Washing
dav | liked her and she became roma Oh ne, ~
I f,rcov. much once made myself a hat. Mary
.,..,,o,rIo.r d me- on being able 10 save a MIL
uncrs bill and in the kindness OF my heart
offered TO make her spring bonnet Gratefully ac-
centing she won't 20 buy the materials. Ihey were
identical with mine but | made the bonnet. cnahs
ng my own afterward. ! gave h"r clothlfs, an"
told her to put ;he money so saved III the panh
one day ghc borrowed 81 from m ana iater S"e
,old mo che had used the loan and the money
had savcd her "to bring young cou'" ou'
Won So, I had simply been aiding immigration.
goon had "A house. and Mary drfted away
g,ving MACE TO the various Maggies and Dellas
and kates that have served me since. nave de-
voted much thought and attention 10 making them
comfortable and happy. | have paid Tor their III
rosses and have tended them in minor malauleS'
7 g,va them holidays whenever opportunity OF
forcd and their apartments are as comlor'aole III
all respects as mine. although not luxurious
Unlike Mrs No. |" OF "A. G.s" letter my
servants rooms have painted walls with one OF
two cheerful prints The beds have springs % MIL
,ro sash curtains on the windows ana rugs on tne
doors and no room l. without closet ana suis H.
Unfortunately II Is safest 10 use ony "dSiIaD.e
materials i'm servants rooms. as thsSf ar lnoie
nnsiI,. kent clear OF the vermin when one always
looks for and often finds, ! am sorry 10 say, Oul
family consists of only three ana my nouSc u
am out great deal pa! lhai 80, rs
generous Christmas present 70 eacn serNan,, re-
prove gently and patiently; ou ,,r1nar The Ser
wants have everything on their "a Die LA W. ,
on ours In short, can thnK OF noth i We ' "a
loft undone to cultivate good feeling, interest Gnu Gnu
ronddonce in our good intentions, yet AFTER
twenty years of working on my theory |
can say it Is mistaken Idea ana 'ha'