Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-09-25

her box in wheclbarrow. She has
cried over the baby and embraced the
dog The months wages have baen
paid-and received with a sniff or a
snort. as the final mood may indicate
The door has closed upon the last
act of Mary, and the stage Is pre-
pared for the advent of Jane, says
writer in the London Mail
AS the result of pointed inquiries ad-
dressed to lady you have never seen
and of whom you know nothing, you
are assured that Jane is industrious.
clean. cheerful, competent, honest. an
abstainer. u member of the Church or
England. and undistracted by anything
in the nature Of a "foilower.' You turn
your back on previous experiences.
and are Sersuaded that the embodl-
ment Of all human virtues has been
procured for $22 per annum, with
board and washing.
II there is anything still left I'M
said on the perennial subject of the
relations between domestic servants
and their employers, it has not been
reserved for this writer to say it. But
this custom of giving and receiving
characters bears aspects which ap-
manners. For instance. domestic ser
vice has never been standardized
Different ideals prevail. In the
Joneses' house. where Mr.. Jones Is
the person to be considered, the COOK
ing is the ali-important thing. At the
RObinsons' where MIR. Robinson "nev-
cr interferes with the wife. clean!-
ness is exalted about all else. 1t IS
easy to see that the servants Of those
two households. bearing the most eX-
celient references, might prove fail
mres if exchanged.
There is also to be reckoned with the
amiable soul who believes in giving the
girl another chance. The character
written ty this employer may rehect
charity and forgiveness and 4 dlspoSi-
ton to look on the bright side OF
things. but as record OF fact 1t Is
delusion and a snare
Legal Aspect Of "charaeters.'
1t is worth pointing out that the CIV
ing of a character at all is not COM
pulsory. 1t has its origin not in any
right on the part Of the servant, but
in an instinct of mutual protection
among employers.
The law in its wisdom declares that
characters" given by employers are
privileged communications" which
phrase. like many announcements o.
the law, provides pitfalls for the lay
mind
Not all that one lady can say to
another lady about the cook comes I'M
der the phrase quoted. II rumor be
true, that discussion of the domestic
servant problem supported with test'-
mony from each lady present, whites
away many tedious hours in drawing
rooms then it Is important to remem-
Der that there is no legal protection in
those circum stances to cover any ur-
Intentional deviation from the region
of strict and sober fact You who are
not concerned in the matter, except as
one lady is naturally interested in the
affairs OF another; the ordinary law
as to defamation applies. Strange as
il NAV seem, it is only when the thing
becomes in the nature of duty that
the law attaches the term privilege
to it.
There is nothing like giving con-
crete example. Suppose Mrs. Brown
says to Mrs. Jones over friendly
cup of tea: Il am sure Emily. my
housemaid. is dishonest have miss
ed several things. and should like TO
search her box but John won't let
me-" Mrs. Jones makes a sympathet-
ic reply. and is probably unaware
that she IS the recipient of SANDER
Gus communication. Should the con-
yersation come round to Emily's ears,
and she be . young woman of decis-
Unless she can prove the truth or
her suspicious ian almost hopeiessiy
difficult task she may find herseii de-
fendant in a lawsuit with all to 1850
and nothing to gain. Moreover. by an
odd freak Of English law, the blameiess
Mr.. Brown may be co-defendant ana
held pecuniarily answerable for the
freedom of his wife's tongue.
49,. Gratuitious Observations
So. too. il Mrs. Jones. by way or
continuing the enthralling CONVERSE
ton. saws: ~ never have liked that
housemaid of yours: she is fond OF
talking to men when your. back Is
: turueJ." then she also has entered the
region Of grafuitous observation, and
It may go hard with her If the accur-
acv,of her structures be challenged IN
a court of law
But suppose Mrs. Jones. contempfat-
ing the engagement Of the aforesaid
Emily. IL making bona fide inquiries
OF Mrs. Brown on the points alluded
70. Mrs. Brown replies: Il am
doubtful whether she is quite TO be
trusted. as We have missed things
s;nce she came I also think she
waste time with the tradsmnn-" {
+, Here Mrs. Browns suspicious NAV
he wrong. but it Is a privileged COM
mun;cation made under a sense OF duly
TO Mrs. Jones. and Emily cannot sue
coed IN any action at law unless she
can prove malice"
n ;s d;<f,cuI, 70 define the lcga!