The Winslow mail., 1900-06-14
HOUSEHOLD MAIDS.
Their Claims Upon the Consideration
of Their Mistresses and
Their Duties.


The vexed question of the relations
of mistress and maid is one of the
oldest problems of the world. In
those ancient times when mistress
exercised absolute authority thee
seemed to have been the same COM
plains of incompetence, arrogance
and impertinence which are so famil-
lar to-day. These household troubles,
says the New York Tribune, have be-
come so vulgar, though they are often
1nsurmountable, that we'll bred wom-
en- keep them to themselves, only con-
hdlng them to others when it is posi-
lively necessary. They thus recog-
nize that there is a certain disgrace
in any jangle in the house which so
seriously disturbs the peace of the
home. A great many wise housekeep-
ers of to-day never allow the blunders
or shortcomings of their maids to be
known, much less to form a topic of
conversation, even in their house
holds. Whatever annoyances the
manager of the house suffers, she
keeps them to herself. The subject of
work should certainly be avoided in
the household. as it has long been in
refined society
This reticence on the part of the
kousekeeper is excellent in it's effect
on the maid herself. Nothing is more
demoralizing to any employe than to
overhear scraps of critical conversa-
ton from her employer. of which she
is the subject. 1t weakens the sense
of loyalty which every individual in
the household should feel toward the
other in their relation one to the
other. The maid of all work has GER
tain claims upon the consideration of
the mistress which the mistress cam
not avoid, although they are not writ
ten in bond 1t is the mistress duty
to provide a comfortable sleeping
room and sufficient wholesome food.
1t is also her duty to make the work
that must be done as light as pos
sible, and see that the girl is not
unnecessarily exposed to the weather
or subject to any heavy burdens that
will break down her health. The
maids wages should be paid promptly,
but this amount is not sufficient if
she labors beyond her strength. The
maid, in return, should do her work
thoroughly and industriously. She is
generally young, and allowance for
her youth, as well as her ignorance,
will be made by a thoughtful mis-
tress, who should be true friend to
the girl who has come into her house.
hold. Many a woman who will labor
increasingly on the board of managers
for a home of charity has no time,
or does not take time, to help the
poor maid in her kitchen to acquire
those very habits of neatness and
usefulness which she spends time to
teach the little waits of the home.
Every young household servant has
some claim upon the mistress as a
friend who will advise her to her in
terest. A girl who feels that she has
a true friend in her mistress will be
more respectful, not more familiar,
and she will be more faithful in do
ing her work. Schools for training
servants may be useful, but they will
not solve the question of mistress and
maid and their just relation to each
other. Societies for bettering do
mestic help will still leave the old
question virtually untouched. The So
luton of this matter does not lie in
the advancement of any class or in
the education of individuals. The Di-
vine Teacher on the Mount taught us
nearly 1000 years ago to render JUS
tice, in word and deed, to others as
we would have justice rendered unto