The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-02
The Butler S Story

BIZ Arthur Train. Illustrated by 7. C. John
Published By Charles Serib1er's Sons. New
York. Price s.. Is
The title page OF Arthur Trains new
book. runs in this wise: THE Buffers
Story, being the reflections, observa-
lions and experiences of Mr. Peter
Ridges OF Wapping-on- Veny. Devon,
sometime in the service OF Samuel Car
ter, Esquire. of New York.. Mr. Peter
Ridges is a perfect butler. He was
born at a side table" as it were, and
was for years In the service OF Lord
Craven of Craven hall; but when his
employer lost his money he took a po-
sition with the Carter family of New
York. typical newly rich family. who
give MIN wonderful opportunities to
air his philosophy or life The book
is filed with caustic comments and the
keenest satire. and viii cause endless
discussion. over the servants position
and point OF view on the part of those
discriminating readers who see be-
tween the lines.
The book is written in nine chapters
and while il makes a connected and
perfect story, several OF the chapters
could be read as separate ESSAYS. par
ticularIy one-"On Servants in Gen
eral.t and another on Real Swells and
others
The butler tells the history. both
superficial and intimate. of the Carter
family in a quantity ingenious and
uncon sciously humorous fashion,. and
his views on such topics as tips. din
ner table stories. the morality Of those
above and below stairs, are given with
amusing fraukness. He overhears a
discussion at the dinner table about a
stock called Toledo Tube and when
he finds that the guests all believe il
to be "a good thing" he decides TO
plunge with his small savings That
plunge caused near tragedy in the
household and is very cIeverly handled
Bridges prepares q schedule OF tips
for people visiting in country houses
for various lengths OF time. He does
il in seriousness and says he thinks
ii would be good thing il it were
published:
For the butler:
Ordinary single ladies and gentlemen.
weekend. 81: week or ten days 50;
month, SO.
Ordinary. married couples weekend.
SO. week or ten days. $3.50; month.
sio-s25.
Rich swells. brides and grooms. dis
tingutshed foreigners, politicians and
brokers. weekend SIS; week or ten
days. SO, month. s15-sz5.
Clergy. continental nobility and de-
cayed relations. weekend. 81: week
or ten days. s7.5O; month. $3.50.
He goes on to say that several other
people must be tipped. but. If you
think you have got to tip every body
in the house. you are entirely mis-
taken and show you are not TO the
manner born. Here in America he
reminds you that the butler and the
valet or maid. il you stay only for the
weekend, are all that il is necessary
TO tip: but il you remain for a longer
visit you must include the outside
man as attends TO your luggage" the
groom of the chambers az there Is
any," the coachmsn and the chamber
maid.
Ridges feels a bit superior to any
thing and anybody in this new c0un-
try, and is half apologetic for their
faults while he is among us He is
saving up his money TO go back
home" ana buy public house" and
that object is always in sight.
A pretty little romance runs through
the story and is brought TO a success
full climax Light and airy as the book
is, full of delicate hunor 1t. has much
value as a study OF character and man
ners and will be deservedly popular.