The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-10

"The three functions are not apt to be
! combined in the one individual. A good
cook is not apt to be a good dressmaker
! any more than a good lawyer is apt to be
master of some other trade or profession.
people in ordinary circumstances, not
to speak Of those able to give mil!on-dollar
legacies, are quite content to pay good
cook from s25 to $50 a month without ex-
pecting nursing or dressmaking from her
in the bargain. Good cooks are scarce.
and they learn to value their services highly,
for people who have once secured them
will always pay them more rather than
lose them.
Cooking nursing and dressmaking are
impossible of accomplishment by one per-
son in an establishment that is properly
carried on. 4 cook will have quite suf-
ficient work in the kitchen for her ten
hour day. In house where only two or
three servants are kept the bulk Of the
work falls on the cook. and she is more
import ant and better paid than the maid
who may wait at table and attend TO the
chamberwork.
THE Chicago millionaire described his
ideal servant as girl who never makes
a mistake in table service Why. this
one quality alone would command fine
place as waitress for any girl, and she
would be highly paid and highly thought
of. Even the best of buffers sometimes
make mistakes in table service, although
they may not make many.
But the Chicago man goes on to say
that she must know at glance the likes
and dislikes ofany guest at the table whom
she may never have seen before This is
another remarkable accomplishment for
servant. Such a one could probably
make great deal as a clairvoyant or mind
reader, but would hardly take place as
a domestic.
She must never sulk. the Chicago
searcher goes on to say; she must be always
dignified and prudent She must know
her place and always be neat. She must
never discuss household affairs with out
siders.' These requirements are nearer
the ordinary mark which good servants
must reach. But they are not always COM
bined with second sight and infallibility in
the service Of guests al table; not to speak
Of good cooking, nursing and dressmaking.
Good servants are not jacks OF all trades
| any more than good workers in other fields.
A girl is apt to pick out whatever branch
of work she may do best or like best. and
she will stick to it and naturally acquire more
| or less experience.
,
are rarely the best servants. They are a
makeshift for those who cannot afford two
maids, the smallest possible allowance for
n well-conducted home.
"A servant who cooks and does the laun-
dry work can hardly. unless she be a won
der, keep her dress and herself in the neat
condition necessary for attending to the
| front door, taking up cards and delivering
! messages Such girls are rare, it Is true,
but they are extremely rare.
specialists in homework are much more
apt to know what duties are required of them
and to perform them. girl introduced
to a large establishment such as that
described as belonging to the Chicago man
| would expect to find a corps OF servants II
she knew anything about the daily work
of large house.
1.-The Chicago man does not state what
his household arrangements are. although
his house is described az splendid
home outside the city limits. 1t is said
to have suites of rooms for the servants.
Perhaps he is a bachelor, and, instead
of wife to look after his affairs. he has a
cranky housekeeper. But Il he hf d a house.
keeper he would know better than to ex-
pect cook and nurse and dressms ker
combined in one person, even a million
dollar person.
He does state that many of the maids
leave. Now, maids are not apt to leave
places in what they call fine houses II they