Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1893-05-13 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

THE MAID SCORED.  This, says the Westntinger Gazette, is a true tale. You are to picture a lady, single, and of a certain age, who has for some trontlis been in unsuccessful pursuit of a reliable domestic servant. Of aristocratic connections, she is prevented, by reason of the smallness of her means, from living in the st lendour and dignity which she thinks she ought to enjoy—and would enjoy—if everyone had their own. her heart is in Mayfair, but she lives perforce in Brixton. She would have a butler and footinan,but has to manage as best she may with one girl. Her voice is of the kind which would say "Home!" to a coachman, but it only asks the conductor to stop at the next corner. Not unnaturally, then, her manner, and her visage also, give indications of asperity of temper. No wonder her servants refuse to remain with her ! She is so addicted to making her "inferiors " feel their inferiority. After having been bandied about for weeks from registry to registry she has at length discovered a maid who is likely to suit her numerous requirements. She has made private inquiries about the girl which have turned out satisfactorily,even to her. It only remains to interview the young person, get a formal "character," and finally arrange terms. the servant calls, by appointment. She is quietly dressed and particularly self-contained. Maid, Good-morning, madam.  Mistress (ajtee tm Tiseqe nod)); What wages do you exuect Maid; Eighteen pounds, madam. Mistress: Oh! And what evenings off ? Maid: One night a week, and one Sunday per month.  Mistress: Indeed! Well, I think you will suit we; but, of course, I shall want a character. Maid; I am afraid I shall be unable to obtain a character, because— Mistress: Then it's no use talking any further. I nett:. engage anyone without a character, and I a'reays T 4 ant to know why a gill left her last place. Maid: I can't get a t•haracter, because my last mistress is dead. That tz why lam out of a situation.  Mistress (after a pause): flow excessively awkward! Well, I'll tale you on trial, mind, for a month. You can con.e next Tuesday. Good-day. Maid: Excuse me, but it will be necessary for me to have a character bt fore I come.  Mistress : Don't you understand, girl, that I will try you without a character ? Maid: I meant, madam, a character from your list servant.  Mistress (brid(ing): From my last inrvant ? What (, you mean? Maid: I have been misled so many times that I make it a rule, before taking a situation, to get from the last servant a description of the plac:l and the mistress, and her reasons for leaving. Subject to these being satisfactory, I can come on Tuestiay. Perhaps you will give me the name of your present servant, or allow me to see her. _ _  Mistress (with sonic heat): I shall not. Maid: Then it's no use talking further. I have 17 other offers of situations. I new engage myself to a lady without a character. And I always want to know why the last servant left. Good-day. Mistress (with forced calmness): Good-day. The lady is still seeking a servant. But she is determined not to furnish a character.  St. Paul's, one of the English churches in Cannes, was broken into on Tuesday night, and a portion of the communion plate was taken by the thieves.  We go from home to learn news. Here is an extract from the Petit Journal: "Dr. Tanner, who rendered himself famous 601110 years ago by being the first to live without eating !or 40 days, has just committed suicide in a London hotel." After all, the blunder is not surprising. There were so many Dr. Tanners. But take the Wilsons. How can we expect the foreign journalist to distinguish between John Wilson, of Durham, and John Wilson, of Govan, and J. H. Wilson, of Middlesbiough, a d H. J. Wilson, of Holinfirth, and C. H. Wilson, if Hull ?—.Echo.