New-York tribune., 1912-02-18
CHAPTER XIII.

There is no class OF women workers who
within the last five years-that is, since
the profession came into eXistenCe-have
done more TO bring relief into the homes OF
the we'll 10 do than mothers helpers.
In some such way as this there came
into existence the first mothers helper, the
unconscious founder Of a new vocation for
her profession Some mother found the
duties and responsibilities OF her home, her
children and society too great 10 carry
alone. She longed TO have an older daugh-
ter who could enter into the work with her
one who would be more than an employe,
one who would At right into the place Of
big sister to her children. And so this
mother looked up a young woman who pos
sessed Just the right combination OF good
qualities that she desired. and persuaded
her TO come and live with her and help her
with the task OF being a mother. or course,
no one knows who this first mothers helper
was or who coined the term, but the idea,
however II originated. was a good one, and
there are now hundreds and thousands or
young women so employed, and there Is
room for many more
The mothers helpers day usually begins
when the children OF the family need her
assistance in dressing. for even II there is
a nurse under the mothers helper she
must see to 1t that her little charges are
ready for the day. Her day closes usually
when she reads them their bedtime story
and tucks them in bed for the night. Hours
full of variety are crowded In between
trips to the shops. drives. walks. childrens
fiolics and parties, reading aloud and story
telling forming a round OF healthy, woman
ly occupation and devotion.
How do young women get positions or
this sort? Perhaps the most usual way
through the recommendation OF acqualnt-
ances. Mrs Jones feels the need OF some
one to help her with the duties OF home
maker and mother. MFR Jones, whose bank
account Is In good condition, urges her to
employ another nurse, Soverness, more
maids. But this Is not just what Mrs.
Jones Is In need Of. She wants an under
study. a big daughter, who will share with
her the work she has to do as only mem
Der OF the family could possibly share II.
She has heard of mothers helpers, but she
doesn't know how TO find one. or course,
Mrs. Jones doesn't want stranger to
coma into her family-that would spoil the
homo atmosphere. she thinks. II she only
knew Of some nice young women who
would come and live with heri She tells
a friend of her predicament and the friend
repeats II to a friend OF hers who happens
10 know a country doctor who has three
delightful daughters whom he has been
strussl,ng to educate. The eldest Is just
through school, and wants to spend win
ter IN the city The story of the country
doctors daughter goes back to Mrs. Jones
and within a week she has sent for the
Young woman to come and try being her
mothers helper. Needless to say, the coun-
try doctors daughter Is just suited to Mrs.
Jones and every one IL happy.
Often II so happens that when Mrs
Iopes is looking for a helper her friends
are not 40 able to help her out. But there
ara other ways to get In touch with moth
ers helpers. She might apply to an en-
p,ovn.nt agency Any OF the big teachers
and professional agencies frequently place
mother's helpers. More frequently. how
ever a woman In need Of a mothers help
er would advertise Such advertisements
are not usually found In the pages of
newspaper, but in the weekly publications
church publications and reviews of cur
rent events and literary subjects being the
best places to find such advertisements.