The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-23
THE HOUSEHOLD PROBLEM

on what strange grounds we build l
 our hopes and fears;
 Mans life is all a mist and in the dark
 our fortunes meet us.
 Whether we drive or whether we are
 driven.
 If i'll. 'tis ours; if good. the act of
 heaven
 To the girl who must make her own way in the world the choice of oceupa- tion, at the outset, is grave problem to her. If she picks up any daily pa per, she finds columns devoted to the advertisements of those who are eager to offer work to young women in the capacity of housemaids, cooks, and general houseworkers. She may find two or three openings for stenogra,- phers, mentioning, however, that they must be experienced, which she is not. No store clerks factory hands, mil liners or dressmakers helpers are wanted.
 The only position open to the great army of young women looking for work is in households.
 She secures place of this kind af- ter going the rounds, as a last resort. No matter how amiable the mistress of the home may be, if she is maid of all work the pleasant smile may light en her heart, but it will not tighten the burden of work her hands, and hers alone. must accomplish. Hard as the toll is, most girls would not complain if a little sunshine could drift in now and then to dispel the gloom of the steady, monotonous grind. Wilfully blind is the mistress who cannot see that an injustice is done to the maid who is refused the health giving priv tlege of an afternoon a week to get out of doors and breathe Gods free 1nvdgoratfng sunshine, and every oth- CT Sunday for herself as well.
 It is the monotony of the work that causes girls to shrink from engaging in it. Few mfstresses take the trouble to consider how pitifuIIy dfshearteninE is the houseworkers lot. Up in the morning at dawn, i'll or well, through zero winter weather or summer heat, going through the same duties of get ting a hearty breakfast ready with the utmost dispatch. If the chops brown occasionally a trif1e too much the eggs play joke on the three min ute process, or the biscuits refuse to raise quite enough, not one mistress in fifty is wise, enough to wait until they are alone to inquire about it, but takes the maid angrily to task before the entire family at the table.
 From the time breakfast is over un- til the luncheon is ready the girl must be nimble with both hands and feet in making beds, dusting. attending the ! 1 afternoon brings it's repeated duties. with window cleaning, silver-polfsh- ing, and everything else about the household to attend to in the interim when it is neither washing. ironing, or baking day.
 To offset this lonely existence, what are her pleasures? Visiting her girl friends on her outing days, and of tener than not helping them in their tasks, or bringing her hard-earned wages home to the old folks, who grow each day nere dependent upon her earnings. People who do not under stand set up the cry: Why don't girls who are looking for work take posi- tions to do general housework, where their wages are paid regularly and a roof and good food furnished them? Money, a roof and food furnished are not everything. Who can blame the young for craving evenings to themselves for amusement and the employment which permits them this relaxation after the days lasbors are 1 over? Housework would not be dread ca as an occupation by young girls if the matter of recreation for them was entered into and adhered to by their
 n1stresses. Girls should have home privileges to make them contented. What girl would not appreciate and be doubly faithful to the good mis- tress who gave her the use of a nice, meat, plainly furnished sitting-room, to which she could invite her friends lone evening in the week? The girls land their escorts would be decorous
 in their department, appreciating the
 loan of the family vietrola and the
 privilege of enjoying cakes and eof-
 fee
 The anticipation of such pleasure e,z< a..