The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-04-29
SWIFT GOWNS FOR YEAR,S GRADUATING GIRL
A Fezo Kitchen Notes

The kitchen is almost invariably the
domestic storm center. Either the mas
ter OF the house Is displeased with his
meals or the mistress has just had some
trouble with the presiding genius OF that
sacred place. The latter kind OF storms
are generally quite frequent. and then
the household finds itself under the
painful necessity of struggling along by
itself and OF getting its own meals,
which latter procedure does not con-
tribute TO the sweet temper Of anybody
The cause Of these storms the mistress
always finds in some misdemeanor OF
the cooks, and If the master dares TO
insinuate that for his part he finds it in
some misdemeanOr of hers. there imme-
diately follows a storm of another kind.
Very often, however, IL happens that
he is right. Some mistresses do not
know how to keep a servant because
they look upon her not as a human
being but as a mere machine. She Is
never supposed to be tired. nor to have
any wishes or preferences apart from
those Of her mistress.
1t is in the nature Of everybody 10 be
cross at times. but the maid is expected
to have the patience Of Job. The mis-
tress could not possibly see Of her own
volition that the maid might be suffering
either mentally or physically, nor real
ize that she perhaps needed a holiday.
They consider that If she gets one af-
ternoon a week and every other Sunday
she is getting all that she is entitled to.
II they like her. they consider it below
their dignity to tell her so. They do not
I'm the least mind reprimanding her be-
fore company or before the children, and
when they want anything done, instead
of asking her politely, they demand the
service as a right for which they are
paying. and which they accept IN the
same spirit when performed. without
the courtesy Of a THANK you"
PoUteness and consideration are things
which no lady should consider herself
above showing 10 her maid. Aside from
this. they are the two best means OF
getting her to stay.
Children should be taught not to treat
her with unnecessary disrespect, nor TO
make extra work for her The chances
are that she has enough regular work
20 do without being obliged 10 tidy up
after the children
When giving orders 10 your maid. you
should not only do so politely, but
should also state them clearly and con-
cisely. so that she viii know exactly
just what you mean. and not be obliged
10 guess, with the chance Of guessing
wrongly and so of mourning your dis
pleasure.
DO not be angry with you; maid un-
necessarily. and when you have Just
occasion 10 rcprimaud 49, - - II. S
few words as possible. and with no dis
play of temper whatever.
Consult her sometimes, and ask her
advice about things connected with the
house Remember that She may very
ways of doing things than You do.
You should give her just as gOod
wages as YOU can afford Do not put
her of a week without giving her q
good reason FOR doing SD. and when
YOU think she has been with you long
enough 70 merit an increase. or II her
work has been such that she deserves
il. see to fl that she gets it.
II YOU have company and consequently
are Obliged 10 ask her 10 work late at
night. give her a little something extra
! for IL. Anybody working over time IS
entitled 10 be paid for the extra time,
and there is no reason why servant
should bee an exception 20 the rule
Give her as comfortable and as pleas
ant "a room as you can. together with
sufficient time in which TO take care OF
H. In fact. you should always see
that she gets an hour or so TO her
self every day, in order that she may
have time 70 rest little bit, 10 get on
her feet and 20 get done any mendlng
or letter writing OF her own IndJ snc
may have 20 do
For the miserable stipend that you
pay her. YOU certainly cannot expect 70
buy all of her time nor compel her 10
attend To her own concerns at night
after a long, hard days work.