The St. Louis Republic., 1903-03-15

think So too. for she has been here two
years Maybe I'll find one also.
"As a matter of fact. Count Leo Tolstoi
works as a shoemaker and labors in the
field; else how could he know so well what
a peasant thinks and needs?"
/ My assortment Of fifty ads. gave addresses
at 'places" "boulevards," terraces,
avenues" and plain, everyday streets"
I took the places" first. I always did
enjoy exclusiveness.
Pondering upon the days when I had sat
| in a big kitchen far away-where the "serv-
anti girl question" intruded not-and watched
NANNY as black as ebony and with
gayly turbaned head, bake me funny little
cookies and crooked-legged horses. I came,
almost without consciousness of doing so,
! before the big front door Of stately
mansion.
| Here was my first doubt as to the mode
| Of procedure.
| Should I ring, or go around to the Mtch-
| en-? My fear of strange dogs determined
| my course.
1 rang.
II seen an ad. you had in the paper for
a girl this morning. said to the capped
| and aproned maid.
| please go around to the kit4hen," she
requested, and closed the door.
| I went, and a woman, whom I should
! Judge was housekeeper. interviewed me.
"Can you cook?'' she asked.
''Oh. yeSm," replied.
! you don't look overly strong" she said,
| but, of course. there amt no washin' to
| do. Did you bring your references?''
'No'm," said, but l can get EN-"
You can just tell me who they are"
| said the woman. kindly, land I'll call 'em
| up by phone"
ct was evident she did not want so neat
an appearing person as to escape her)
'Tll bring 'em." said. remembering nrst
that I would have to get them.
So I sped to the doctors wife and to the
minister's wife. But both these are honest
women, and, after hearing of my scheme
and taking oath to secrecy. they demurred.
ITO give you a recommendation We would
have to say that you had worked for us,"
they said.
mot necessarily" assured them. Just
write Margaret Jones q had changed my
name a little) is an excellent cook and
housekeeper: strictly honest and Industrious.
I take pleasure in recommending her.
Every word of that is true. and you
know II is, for haven't you eaten dinners
and luncheons that l have prepared and
marveled at their exceIlency? Cookery Is
one of my few accomplishments. Pray,
madam. do not cast a blight upon my am
bition."
I got the references.
DECIDED TO VISIT A LESS
FASHIONABLE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Again, went forth.
1t had dawned upon me, after several
unfruitful calls along "boulevards" and
places to try just common streets or ave-
nues, for the real servant girl problem
after all centers itself In the homes of the
Americans Of moderate means, where but
the one maid-of-all-work IS kept
There came haunting suspicion in my
mind as I went that Miss Rumbold's theory
that domestic help of a more refined
class would be welcomed might be based
upon error, for 1 met the frequent obser-
walton, though my references were A No. 1,
that Cooked too delicate" As a matter
Of fact. there is nothing of the invalid
about my appearance. Indeed, have often
regretted the presence of too much pink
ishness I am afraid, that, in spite of my
worn skirt, two-years-ago jacket and hat
with uncurled plumes, there were lnger-
ing some traces of refinement that refused
to be downed. II a burly ''pot singer" was
wanted. Of course, was not that II more
ly good. Intelligent, capable domestic was
wanted, then I was that.
On the second day "got place"
1t was a nice house, of ten rooms, pretty
Queen-Anne front, and hoped as nice q
Mary-Ann back.
There were six in family'-father, moth
er. 1S-year-old daughter. 16-year-old SON.