The San Francisco call., 1910-03-13

tells me of herself and her position:
A CONFESSION
Il have read with lively interest what
you and your correspondents from va
riOus parts Of the country have said
Of the 'servant-girl question in the
United States. Il may be as 'vexec' in
other countries, but there seem to be
some peculiarities in it on this side of
the water. I suppose this may be
owing to the fact cor what people say
is the facD that there are no classes in
society here; that all are free and
equal You and ] and thousands of
others know that this is not true.
There must be social grades every
where.
"Wnl you kindly tell me some time
what is the place of a housemaid in
America? What are her duties. her
rights and her privileges? I am from
the north Of Ireland and a Protestant.
I had about as much education as
could be had IN a village school, taught
by kind, intelligent woman. who was
herself the daughter of a farmer
learned to read and write and to cipher
after a fashion. and 1 have always
loved to read. Ny parents died the year
before I came to this country. I have
two brothers here who would support
me II ] would allow il, for they are
doing well in business and with pleasant
homes Of their own. Ny sisters-in-law
never tell their visitors and neighbors
that I am In service One young man
whom I met frequently on Sundays and
IN the evening at my brothers house.
never suspected that I was not, as my
sister-in-law had told him. a nursery
governess. until I undeceived him when
he asked me to marry him. He was ter
ribly shockedil I said to him that IL
was lucky was not a bit in love with
him, for I. could see that his affection
cooled at once when he found that 1
am a lady's maid in my employers
house. and not a goyerness.
'T am not well enough educated to
think OF teaching. Nor have / any
taste for that kind OF work. I do under
stand my own business. and like it
better than l should looking after chill
oren, and hearing their lessons.
7 do not pretend to be the equal in
breeding or in learning Of the two young
ladies who are my employers daughters
and near my age. I should feel out
OF place IL required to associate with
them as freely as I do with nv own
set. Their ways are not my ways. nor
their thoughts my thoughts We he
long to different spheres. 1 have M
ambitions in that direction. I am writ
ing 10 you 10 ask why my place is not
as wei defined here as that of NV
cousins. who are ladies' maids in Dub
lin
POSITION DEFINED
Their nistresses (here they would be
called their madamsD are not afraid to
speak kindly TO them TO ask after their
relatives after their health and other
matters that concern them. The Young
ladies in the house where l have worked
for three years never talk to me ex-
cept about my work and to give orders
They do not scold; they are too we'll
bred and too amiable for that They are
entirely Indifferent to me and my per-.
sonal affairs. Their mother is a good.
just mistress. AIy felow-servants call
me mean-sprited and old-fashioned for
using the wordD That is. she. paws nv
wages regularly; she never finds fault
without cause; she respects my days for
going out and sees to It that 1 have
time to go to church every Sunday.
She has rever asked what church
attend. although she is. like myself. an
Eplscopalial. don't believe she knows
that. have room to myself 1t is
small but comfortable, and although ii
has no register or fireplace, it is COM
fortaby heated from the hall except
IN very cold weather
What have ! u complain Of? you
may ask Why, that l seem to belong
nowhere in particular. There are four
other servants in the house. and we get
along comfortably on the whole. But
don't care 10 have the butler tell me
doubtful anecdotes. and make jokes that
seem TO me rather broad. and the cnauf-
feur has never quite forgiven me for
not going with the others on q 10y
ride" one night during the Christmas
holidays. I only said I did not care to
go out such cold night, but ne limited
that if Mr. ever found out he had
borrowed the motor car. he Ghe chauf-