Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-02-02
TOOK THEIR BREATH.
EzfEh-FIown Letter from q Young
woman Whe Would Scarcely
Make Servant Girl.

The evolution of the servant girl was
strikingly exemplified by a letter re-
-eeived lately by one of the prominent
government officials of this city. Sew
eral days ago he had occasion to adver-
tise for a servant girl, and, in response
10 the advertisement. a neatly dressed
young woman came to his office, accom-
panied by personal acquaintance of
the business man, who recommended
her highly. She went to the home.
where her interview with the mis-
tress of the house was satisfactory. and
she was engaged, and was expected to
appear for work yesterday morning.
She did not come, but, instead, a let
ter was received, written on fine linen
paper. in beautiful penmanship, and in
which the lines slanted from the up
per right hand corner of the sheet.
The letter was addressed to both the
gentleman and his wife, and was as
follows:
''After rejecting I deem it incom-
patible with my nature to accept the
position of housekeeper and all-work
girl under such extreme restrictions
and limitations as seem to be necessary
and required by the splendid Mrs. -.
To thus live in This great country of
freedom and liberty would dim my life,
and my very nature would degenerate,
and I would not only feel, but really
prove, my inferiority and littleness. I
have health and strength, and cheerful
~ work hard and carefully for my en-
ployer. but I learn from Mrs. - that
in your social realm must be wholly
a kitchen girl, and thus deprived OF
all my social pportunities-nof even
a place to receive my dear old battle
Scared veteran father and my few
other dear relatives and friends, gave
in the kitchen, and there, even there,
under protest.
II am not claiming the right to be
one of the family, nor participate in
one single social function therein, for
have very limited social circle, whose
financial and political standing is sui
fciently elevated and ennobljng. where
am accepted on equal terms, and with
it am satisfied and very nearly happy
/ find, to my amaZement, upon careful
inquiry. that Mrs. IS rules of gov
eminent are along the lines of custom,
under similar circumstances, and
seem to be accepted as necessary by
those whose lot requires them to thus
earn a Livelihood. But / am only an
ordinary country girl. used to the more
rural customs, which sanction greater
freedom and accord more privileges
even in the very highest social condi-
lions. I have never encroached upon
grounds OF conditions TO which, by the
nature of things, I had no right or vel
come to do. In other words, had q
keen perception of what was the con-
sistent and proper way for me to act
I thank you for the honor of accept
ing my services in your lovely horne
and beg you to pardon me for writing
so long letter on so short a subject
trust that you will find, without in.
convenience, suitable woman to fill
the position. Yours, with very great
respect.
''P. ST. have accepted position
which promises to be satisfactory"
The recipients of this letter have
scarcely recovered their breath yet
and now they wonder what they have
missed.-fndianapo Journal.