The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-17
SERVANTS AND
THEIR RIGHTS.
Causes Of Friction BalWson The
Mistress and Maid.
ALWAYS ARMED NEUTRALITY.
Hours Of Llhany Is Generally Subject Of
Much Discussion Some Employers
Are Very Generous.
ALWAYS ARMED NEUTRALITY.

Strained relations are common In thess
days between mistresses and servants.
The latter must be well aware that they
are regarded as decadent race. while
the former make no secret or the fact
that they try to escape communion with
such rebels as much as they possibly can.
Unfortunately. try as kind-hearted phil
anthropists will. the time seems to have
gone by when tho former happy connec-
ton that used TO knit kind housewives
and good AbigaiIs together can be REIN
stalled, and until matters pull round a
species OF armed neutrality must exist be-
tween employers of domestic labor and
employees.
The law is not very well comprehsnded
by the majority of mistresses and indeed
is not very lucid itself upon many points
of disagreement that fiutter the domestic
dovecote
olden days. for the great general princi-
pie then prevailed that mistress could
deal pretty much as she pleased with her
women.
All those of q. rebeliious temperament
she Whipped, the disobedient she whipped,
the laggards she whipped, indeed. every
fault was chastised out of its existence.
HER HOURS OF LIBERTY.
But laws have superseded this mater
nal government" and perhaps much
trouble would be saved II they were thor
oughly understood
A servant when she Is engaging her
self 10 a mistress usually takes very good
care, I'm these days, to have her hours OF
liberty clearly defined. She is quite right
20 do SO.
For be IL known to both employer and
employe, there is no definite law on the
subject OF holidays where domestic SER
wants are concerned. All other forms OF
service are equipped with them, but the
slave of the kitchen has TO stipulate for
her hours or relaxation with her en-
poyer.
Perhaps also II there were a law that
prevented Lomestics from having 10 work
more than a certain number OF hours dur
frg cach twerty-fotfr, just there r. ono
that regulates the hours OF service a
dress makers assistant is permitted to
give. friction would be less severe be-
tween mistress and maid.
1t is precisely because the average cook
or housemaid is so Impressed with the
fact that her sister the shop assistant
behind the counter, has her liberty after
closing time and knows when her work
is done"that she is so dissatisfied with her
lot, and so jealous OF the others career.
On tie olntE HdNu, HO StINdHt nttu
have a holiday forced upon her. A case
came int the courts only few weeks
ago In which a servant sued her mistress
for board and wages for three weeks holi-
day, period of time during which the
mistress had shut up her house. and the
servant won.
SOME EMPLOYERS GENEROUS.
Mistresses and servants have very inde-
finite notions as to their liabilities and
privileges respecting medical attendance.
The generous mistress who values her
maids is never backward In providing
them a doctors services should they fall
i'll in her employment and the majority
OF them pay also with alacrity the che
mist's bill during the time OF a servants
illness.
Not only do they do this with every
pleasure, but they provide substitute to
take the invalid's place during her indis-
position, and when there Is any necessity
to do so send the servant away for per-
iod of convalescence. paying her railway
fares and her board and lodging.
Many servants in all probability take all
this generosity as a right. AS a matter OF
fact, In law a master or mistress is not
bound TO provide medical attendance for
the servants he or she employs, and IL
makes no difference whether the servant
be living under the masters roof or not
Bird. New Haven; III M Kitchell. A.
Eldridge, ~ " A Stone, Prov; X Hard
ing, Boston, Max Lindwald, N Y; q 3