Year: 1873

AMERICAN HELP.-Miss Louise NJ. Alcott
has given chapter of her experience on the
everlasting Seryant-girl question in the Bos-
the Transcript She says Remembering
happy experience of other years, when we
answered the advertisement of a housekeep-
| er, and got an excellent woman who did all
| the work for three dollars week, turned
to the column of wants in the Transcript and
| found five advertisements of American wo-
men wishing places as house-keepers. an
swered several saw one young widow with
child, also pert spinster, whose first
| question was, IS your father wid0wer =
and several stout ladies who wished merely
to order other servants about, and were al
together too elegant for our simple family.
Two remained who seemed eligible, Mis-
Amelia c. and Miss Annie S. Miss Amelia
was too much dressed and seemed rather
afraid of work, so after n look at her gave
her up andSent after Miss Annie


Il found delicate little woman of thirty,
perhaps, neat, modest, cheerful, and lady
like. She made no promises. but said. I'll
come and try 50 | engaged her for three
dollars a week, to take entire charge of the
kitchen department. She came, and with
her coming peace fell upon one perturbed
family peace that lasted unbroken for
four months, in spite of much company,
dangerous illness in the house, and many
Unforeseen incidents. Ny Miss 5 was one Of
the family, for in the beginning | said to
her, 4 want some one to work with me as
my sisters used to do. There is no mistress
or maid about it. and the favor is as much
on your side as mine Work is a part of my
religion, and there is no degradation in it,
1ol,
my dinner in the kitchen. as any friend who
sits in the parlor. Eat with Us, talk with
US, work with US; and, when the daily tasks
are done, rest with us; read our books, sit
in our parlor. and enjoy all we can offer YOU
in return for your faithful and intelligent
services.


''Shc smiled and looked as if she caught
glimpse Of hope and comfort after much
weary seeking for a home as well as a place.
| think she found that | kept my word, and
was a happy little woman all summer
know that a great load was lifted off my
shoulders, when day after day found three
nicely cooked meals ready at the appointed
hour, my kitchen always neat, with no flies
in uncovered milk, no dish towels under the
stove no silver in the sink, or the tphle look
ing as if set by hurricane. She did the
marketing also, and the monthly bills showed
a surprising difference. for no spoilt messes
went to the pigs, timely care kept things in
order, and good judgment made economy
pleasant possibility.


'When illness came had no thought for
anything beyond the sick room all went
below as regularly as if were still there. If
friends called, my neat housekeeper could
receive and reply to their inquiries. II |
forgot to eat she came TO me with some
tempting dish sand begged me to take it,
with a look of sympathy that made it sweet;
and when | asked how the family got on,
found that all had Jared well, and no sense
Of neglect or waste added to my anxieties.
Only one falling did discover in Miss ;. q
always gave her name as she gave me mine,
and returned the respect she gave me As
scrupulously as could.) She was not very
strong. for much work had done for her
what it does for most American women in
her case, and by lessening her health had
impaired her usefulness. Finding thar the
washing was too hard for her, got a stout
neighbor to come and do 1t.


''The good Irish woman snifel at first at
my lady as she called Miss ), but before
the summer was over the kind soul gave in
and said heartily, Sure, Mis-, dear, its
nice little creature she is, and mighty help
ful to We, lave alone her being true lady.
I'm wishing yen get another as good when
She goes.