Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-15
THE CANCEL IN THE HOUSE. y
Japanese Gentlemen" as Servant to
Learn the English Language.

From the London Chronicle.
We had attacked the domestic problem
from all sides. We had suffered Mary Ann
owning no followers by her own accounts
with patience TIL we found a couple OF them
discussing a bottle OF our Bass in the coal
cellar. We had gone to the other extreme
with Jemina Jane. and permitted the week
~ visits OF an authorized sweetheart dis
sea decorously at 10 pm. TN scratched
paint on the larder windowslll witnessed his
entrance I'm again Immediately thereafter,
and made an end of both wooer ana ia
NINA Jane so far we were concerned.
We had led a wearying existence for six
months with an aged couple with only three
legs and three eyes between them The
Wiie Rad the shortage In the eye depart
ment, and the husband in the leg. and
wheel she persisted IN sending up the meat
burnt on one side and raw on the other. and
ne took to getting drunk and beating her
lnSn.s WIN nus wooden leg, We were re-
corciied to their departure even though
six OF our best silver teaspoons and a Dair
OF blankets departed along with them A
oaivauon lass who smashed the ornaments
ana toid US we should take the spelling of
our goods joyful1y was the next hoIder OF
me situation. and last but not least came
AHred. the boy who washed out the front
tiies IN excellent fashion, but came to a had
END through smoking his employers best
cigars In the newIy-painted bath room;
Then we tried being our own servants
anu .i.. wren we tired OF that. which did
with great rapidfty. we had an interreg-
mum. during which spent a small for
tune ana wore out our boots In visits to
t,esistries. and lost time and money I'm pay
ing railway fares and waiting indoors to
keep appointments with applicants who
failed to turn up
At last one day. on taking UP our chron-
icie, our weary eyes read this: "A young
japanese gentleman, DESTROYS of learning
English. Is willing to undertake the domes-
TIC duties In an English family In return
1890 Apply Dun
We applied. and we found What did we
nnds A treasure. pearl of great price.
q masterpiece. Our home is now the abode
o. peace and content No more do we wres-
tie with pert girls and rapacious char
women. Our Japanese gentleman sweeps
Gusts, washes up. goes errands, cooks. and
waits at table-ail with the same thorough
ness and alacrity His laying OF the table
ls work of art, and he IL charmed when
told unexpected guests viii stop to supper.
More marvellous still, once a week he takes
up his post at the washtub and does the
family linen AS to diet. he is the easiest
pleased creature In the world. and really
prefers boiled rice to roast beef for his
dinner. He asks no days Off and no nights
out.
He is friendly. but not intrusive Invite
him to discuss the Anglo-Japanese alliance
over cigar in the garden in the evening.
and he will politely accept Take no notice
OF him, and he retires to his kitchen and
sits uoWn WITH MS English grammar and
dictionary. When he smiles he shows two
rows OF white teeth which would make a
dentist envious. and the children adore him.
for he can make as many toys out OF an
old envelope Devant characters out of a
mask Temples. windmlls. trees-anything
they ask for, and the bull terrier
fawns on him and allows him to take him
out for stroll. He has one aim I'm life and
that Is to learn English quickly and return
to his native land. equipped for some good
appointment In consequence. Meanwhile
his motto of service Is one never surely
before heard in this land from the lips of
servant. man or woman.
Madame must not toe much work." says
Hubert gravely as he takes the broom
from my unresisting hand. We call him
Hubert as the nearest approach to his
proper name our British tongues can attain
to. But Angel is his true title.
Only to him at the tub is enough
Rubbing, rinsing wringing, and then going
out to the garden with his basketful of
their blinds and cannot make him ont,
while the maids on either side of the fence
have each consented to do little washing
since his advent, so that they may hang
out clothes in his company.
But 1t Is all in vain. Our Japanese gen.
egn affairs, and will enter into no alliance
over the fence. No; he Is learning English
all too fast and when he goes we shall be
lost. For. though he tells there are
many Japanese gentlemen ready to do as
he has done, and to come over to he Eng
lands servants in order 10 learn Engiands
language, we are not consoled- Let them
all come! Mary Ann and Jemima Jane will
learn their proper place thereby. But no
other gentleman OF Japan be he ever so
clever will make UP to us for the DEPART
ure of Hubert-our Angel in the House.