New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-25

1T seems 10 ne you're getting very ener-
getic in the matter Of acquiring Ian
guages." said the elderly woman 10 her
married niece When you were girl
couldn't get YOU interested in your French.
and now. with your house, and your chill
dren and all your social duties. you find
time for two private and three class lessons
in that language q week. And all the
other young married women are equally
crazy about French. What's the secret
My dear aunt. were trying 10 live up TO
our servants" laughed the niece. IT'S ny
Jean and Marie who are uncOnsci0 usly
goading me 70 this feverish activity In
French verbs You've seen that trim young
couple-you know how beautifully my
home has gone on since I imported them
from Paris TO take charge OF things. But
they can't speak a word of English, and
must know how 10 talk with them. II
does vex me 70 hear my cook and butler
speaking fluent French when ! have. 10
stop 10 think what ice chest is IN that
language. But I'm no worse Of than other
women-Mrs. B says she IS sitting up
nights 10 study, trying 20 get so she can
talk 10 her Alphonse and Minette without
feeling that they must be smiling inside al
the way she stumbles over her adjecuyes.
Yes, this craze for French servants
means work for US. but they are delight
ful servants love 10 hear my Marie talk.
When she saw the little chute by which
coal is brought into q closet by the side of
my kitchen range. thus saving her Jean
the trouble Of getting II carried from the
cellar, she clasped her hands IN ecstasy.
hear one Of nv gowns called chic without
thinking OF that coal chute and Jean and
Marie"
Forgive my curiosity" said the dress
makers customer 10 the dressmaker. "but
why did that phenomenally large woman
who just went out take syringe from her
bag and spray your face when she came
IN. and what was she drinking out OF that
bottle? " wasn't an
An appetizer? Oh. dear. no." said the
oressmaker laughing 1T was water.
plain water She carries bottle around
IN her bag--or. rather. the young woman
who was with her. her trained nurse. car
ries IT, because she's so afraid Of mi
crobes that she won't drink any water that
hasn't been double distilled and analysed
and don't know what
"Ten years ago I'd have said that woman
was the worst crank in New York city
but I know New York better now. But let
me tell you what she makes that nurse
carry around with her I'm that bag every
where they 90. She doesn't need nurse.
by the way. any more than need an ele-
phant but it's fashionable TO keep a
trained nurse so she does
There's the bottle OF water in the bag,
IN case she is thirsty. There's the syringe
with some kind ~ disinfectant in II, and
whoever she talks with she first sprays
as a precautiOn against disease. II was
considerable Of surprise 20 me the first
time she did II. but I'm used 20 fl now.
She has also IN her bag some gum ara
bic in case her throat gets dry: some
troches in case she coughs box Of bis
cults. In case she gets hungry, two differ
ent kinds OF pellets for indigestion; some
peppermint candles. but ! really forget
what they're for: some chocolates, because
she likes them: some headache powders
some medicine 10 ward of a cold. in case
she feels one coming on and a silver knife,
fork and spoons, IN case she lunches some
where, because she won't use silver when
she doesn't know how IL was washed
II thought" the dressmaker added with
her mouth full Of pins-"take a step please,
and see If that skirt is too ught-l did