The San Francisco call. [volume], March 13, 1910, Page 10, Image 10

About The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913

Image provided by: University of California, Riverside; Riverside, CA

                
THE HOUSEMAID
HER PLACE, HER DUTIES
HER RIGHTS AND HER
PRIVILEGES
THE sentence that heads /this Fa
miliar Talk is taken, word for
word, from a communication
that has lain in a pigeon-hole
of my desk much longer than I la
tended that it should when I first read
1L It comes from Philadelphia, and It
purports to be from a young housemaid.
I «ay "purports," because the cliirog
raphy Is neat and firm, and not In the
least like that of an illiterate or par
tially educated person. In spelling and
punctuation it is absolutely correct.
There is no lavish misuse of capitals
euch as offend my senses in hundreds of
letters written- by correspondents who
tell me they are high school graduates.
Tet I am bound to believe what the girl
tells me of herself and her position:
A CONFESSION
"I have read with lively interest what
you and your correspondents from va» .
rious parts of the country have said
of the 'servant-girl question' in the
United States. It may be as 'vexed* In
other countries; but there seem to be
some peculiarities in it on this side of
the^ water. I suppose this may be
owing to the fact (or what people say
is the fact) that there are no 'classes' In
tociety here; that all are free and
equal. You and I and thousands of
others know that this is not true.
"There must be "social grades' ev#ry
• where.
"Will you kindly tell me some time
what is the place of a housemaid in
America? What are her duties, her
rights and her privileges? I am from
the north of Ireland and a Protestant.
I had about as much education as
could be had In a village school, taught
by a kind, intelligent woman, who -was
herself, the daughter of a farmer. I
learned to read and write and to cipher
after a fashion, and I have always
loved to read. My parents died the^rear
before I came to this country. I have
two brothers here who would support
me If I would allow it. for they are
doing well in business and with pleasant
homes of their own. My sisters-in-law
never tell their visitors and neighbors
that I am 'In service.' One young man
•whom I met frequently on Sundays and
In the evening at my brother's house
never suspected' that I was not, aa my
clster-ln-law had told him. a -nursery
governess, until I undeceived him when
he asked me to marry him. He was ter
ribly shocked!* I said to him that it
was lucky I waa not_ a bit In love with
him. for I. could ccc that his affection
cooled at once when he found that I
am a lady's maid in my employer's
house, and not a governess.
"I am not well enough educated to
think of teaching. Nor have 1 any
taste for that kind of work. I do under
stand my own business, and I like It
better than I should looking after chil
dren, and hearing their lessons.
"I c'.o not pretend to be the equal. in
breeding or In learning of the two young \u25a0-
ladies who ar© my employer's daughters
and near my age. I should feel out
of place if required to associate with
them as freely as I do with my own
ECt. 'Their ways are not my ways, nor
.their thoughts my thoughts.' We be
long to different spheres. I have no
ambitions In that direction. I am writ
ing to you to ask why my place is not
as weU defined here as that of my
cousins, who are ladles' maids in Dub-*
lln.
POSITION EETINED
* "Their mistresses (here they would be
cal'ed 'their madams') are not afraid to
speak kindly to them; to ask after their
relatives, after their health and other
matters that concern them. The young
ladies in the house where I have worked
for three years never talk to me ex
cept about my work and to give orders.
They do not scold; they are too well
bred and too amiable for that. They are
entirely Indifferent to me and my per-,
eonal affairs. Their mother Is a. g00d,","
Just mistress. (My fellow-servants call
.me mean-spirited and old-fashioned for
ueing the word!) That is, she- pays my
wages regularly; «he never finds fault
without cause; she respects my days for
going out. and sees to it that I have
time to go to church every Sunday.-
She has rever asked what church I
attend, although she is. like myself, an
Episcopalian. I don't believe she knows
that: I haxe a room to myself. It ia
email but comfortable, and although it
has no. register or fireplace, it is com
fortably heated from the hall except
in very cold weather.
"What have I id complaia of? you
may a*k. Why, that I seem to belong
nowhere In particular. There are -f oar
other servants In the. house, and we get
along comfortably on the whole. But 1
don't cure to have the butler tell me
doubtful anecdotes, and make jokes that
seem to me tether broad, and the chauf
feur has never quite forgiven me for
not going with the others on a "joy
ride" one night during the Christmas
holidays. I only said '1 did s not care to
CO out euch a cold night,* but he hinted
that If Mr. ever found. out; he had
borrowed the motor car.-he (the;cHauf
SCHOOL FOR HOUSEWIVES
"His affection cooled \u25a0when. he found
I was a lady's maid." ,
<: v- . *-\ '*.'-\u25a0\u25a0 -• . - : -
Xeur) 'would know who the tett-tale
was."
"Forgive this long letter! I don't ex
pect you to publish it. But I dowant it
answered. And I am sure that mine Is
not such. a singular case as you might
think. 1 am. not discontented with my
position in life. My mother was a
lady's maid before her marriage. As
1 have eaid, I like the work, and am
not fitted to do anything c!se to earn
my living. One of my sisters-in-law
told me once that I was 'a bat— neither j
bird nor beast.' Bince then she thinks
it funny to call me 'bat.' when there
is no one by except the family.
"That would .be as good a signature to
this letter as I can think of." <\u25a0 J
"THE BAT" {West Philadelphia).
I should not insult you by, writing?
that word had you not insisted upon
it. It does not apply in the least to a
clean-minded, conscientious girl, whose
one disadvantage is that she Is above '
her station, or what employers and fel
low-servants have made that station to
Now as to your question: As I read -.
THE HOUSEMOTHERS' EXCHANGE
Useful Information
WIW IL JL. you accept a few items for tha
Exchange which may benefit some
body? . IMspose o» them aa you
Zino salve 'is a sovereign remedy . for
burns, even -if blisters have formed. It
elves immediate relief, and there will la
no scars. It 4s much better for this pur
pose than baking coda. ..*•- .
: Dill pick Its nhould have the scum re
moved dally. If the fcum gets down Into
the pickle*, it will spoil them -. by making
them soft. A few- bits of horseradish in
tho pickles will . prevent the . formation •of
scum, and keep the plckies firm and sound.
Carbolic add is .excellent for chappe.l
hands. In cold. weather have at band isomo
oatmeal in, a large box. After drying the
hands thoroughly, plunge them into the
oatm'al, which process will complete the
drying and'preVent chapping.
Use oil of sassafras for ' Insect bites. It
sooths the irritation - at once.
Should you be chilled through, or get
the ft-et wet, take from five to, ten drops
of f ylrlls of camphor on a lump of \u25a0 sugar,
as soon as you can. repeating it hourly for,
four or five hours.' As soon as any. one
of our f allilly begins to sneeze, we run
for the camphor bottle. We have thus pre
vented many a cold. .Business men might
carry the camphorated sugar in a : wide
mouthed vial and have it always handy.
If you" have contracted a - cold, . refrain
from all liquids for from • twenty-four to
forty-eignt hours, and tho symptoms -wll.
Make what use you will of these hints—
or none at all! " . \u25a0 ' * " ..
.3 M. It. U. . (Los Angeles,. Cal.).
I think so well of them -that 1* copy,
them entire. May 1 make one exception
la declaring them to be useful through
out? You do notitell us how ; the;car
bolic'acid is -to -bo -applied* t o > the chap
ped skin.'. Not 'in ' its undiluted \u25a0 state,
certainly? One woman, in my;, sight;
took the skin as clean from the back of
her hand as if boiling water > had-, been
poured over -It, by rubbing;* carbolic
acid upon , a tiny wart. ; Shfe. had been
told the acid would ' remove \u25a0 the excres
cence. Write again • ; and .'. tell :; us , ; how
10 - modify* it. • v*' ..\u25a0 ' ."-%'.'-».'' > ' -.' :>: >
Our English • sisters have »\u25a0 warded « off
Influenza by the diligent use of camphor,;
ever since I can recollect anything,' and
the custom was old even'; then.; „' 'Six
drops -of camphor on 'a' lump : of 'sugar,
me • dear! 1 " was 'a : staple > prescription
for colds ; in la^nureery, of ".which- I .had
the run. -And !• recall.* likewise. r that it
was usually, efficacious. '.o-
yJ-Gift of Books.
Plf ase mention in the j Housemothers*. Ex
change that I have about \u25a0 twenty-five books '
-in perfect condition— and very good 1 read
ing—which I will cheerfully give, to any one
\u25a0who would care for and value them. -"They
must be called for, cr sent for. the address
MARION HARLAND
being glveni I* cannot deliver them." Ishould
like them to go ta someone living in the
. country, and 'to I one who cannot afford to .
buy. books. - E..K. (Philadelphia);
-The, giit willbe :eagerly > claimed/: -We
are. a -. reading iamily, .but 1 some-'of-t-us
cannot, indulge the propensity'as^ freely
as' we w^uld, because \u25a0 "butpher and bak
er"r^not/. to -mention --the^gasman,,. who
.takes the place of Mother Goose's "can
dleatick-makcr"—have raised prices to a
height .that' leav«« : the. : ; purse painfully
light by. -the;; time- the week's; bills -are
paid. The generous donorjs address is
upbn* our, register.'^ ; \u25a0..'-, .'- ', . * , r
'Much-Wanted Recite
'I inclose" -the 'recipe for .'marshmallow,
crjam pudding, for which a correspondent'
a6kfd : lately: »- . .. . . ,« . ... '
On« tablespoonfur of ; granulated gelatine,
dissolved In, one-half cupful \u25a0 of cold - water, f
Put lt'overthe fire 'and -bring to a boil.V
. stirring constantly. • Take \u25a0it - off and • stir "
in tinet <me cupful of. cold «. water. ' Let . It stand
while - you • beat - the : white* -, of four eggs
to a itandlng. froth. "Add iv this two cup- v
f uls • of granulated suiter a and 1 the * cooled '
gelatine.';. Beat steadily . until it begins- to .
. thicken; r.i stir -Into « It \u25a0- two . teaspoonf u'.s of :
.vanilla and one , cupful -cf chopped English
walnuts. > When very thick Dour into moulds -
and \u25a0 set upon . icf. Serve •.. withy whipped .
cream and brandied; cherries. > .\u25a0"---.-.;-\u25a0 •\u25a0.-:>:\u25a0 •
This recipe, makes enough *of .* the 'cream *
for ten People, -j- j -r •-. » — -.:, ,+-.\- ,•,.\u25a0>;..;
> ;\u25a0•." Mrs.^ R. yv: ; B: ; (Brookville,V Pa.), r
\u25a0 You set bef ore'J us » a*r dainty' dish, '~ and
one for /..which" four,: requests s have ,been '
vent in. • "\Ve^ thank you In 'the name of'
the seeking sisters "and of the Exchange
;as a ;whole. v \u25a0' . 1 i-.- \u25a0\u25a0. . \u25a0*• \u25a0 *.-- : \u25a0\u25a0•\u25a0\u25a0\u25a0>;
: \u25a0^zNumbcrrof things ". '
v From ?\u25a0; the i ts.ime quarter "of vouff vast *
torrltoßy ; we. have - other - recipes 4 that'
promise as well, ' The member^who'con-
• - tr.butes ' - them , classes v them tas•• -: "sea
sonable.'. 1 , and . she ; is ; right, as 'we | shall -
. ( ..SCG!{. .^ •\u25a0\u25a0*\u25a0" \u25a0'"\u25a0'.,\u25a0 '\u25a0'\u25a0\u25a0-.:\u25a0.* •\u25a0. i :'.':-- .-:-.v-'~ : "si'?' ' *•*-"'. "'_\u25a0'.
;;--^»A£EscaUoped'Oysters.;; "\u25a0' V : : \u25a0\u25a0
\u25a0 li.^Yu' 11 * 6 " half *• Pound : of cracker*: • ptur -
' T", Dr X : Ithe1 the ' n '\u25a0•; plnt^>f toot milk, an.l stir 51
a ÜblespoonM of butter: salt and pepper to. \
\u2666S"i c- .i Add T a P lnt ot '*\u25a0 * resh v "^«te« \u25a0- with i' :: -
l h fH r Ci lq . Uor - ranil %mlx thoroughly -with on«<.
, Bak« , in . \u25a0> buttered \ dish ; until 4 browned. -
%f;y, >;'i ;":"HeavenlyyHaslu^ '~:H ; :-> : ;
- On«. cupful^r'eath^ of is' diced \ pineapple^
, (drained- of -Juice), -bananas and^ marsh- :
P? alI °*'* '• °n« cupful of .' English .walnuts. 1-or.
,- aimonda— or . both^-chopped. r. or* *cuti- rather ;-.?
\u25a0 .. nne; one cupful of kumquats (Uny oranges) t?
cut small, and the juice well-squeezed out: ;»
. one-half j cup Lofs diced apples. -,.. One- copful
. or mayonnaise " dressing - seasoned i with i salt 111 1
alone and one-half cupful ct whipped cream. r >"
"The butler tells doubtful anecdotes."
. the first, a favorite vcr3C wfltch I have>
oucted here more than once ran in^
my.:head, persistently: \:
. I asked:- my soul Bethought of thls:-
> In just that very place of His. y
" Where He hath^mail« and keepeth. you,
-* : : - God -hath no other work to do.' .- - ..-•
If one-tenth of the maids employed by
f ( private'; families had your just appre
ciation.: of what they are be3t fitted to
do, and- that' their work is as honorable \u2666
ns any other profession; so long as they'
y respect it and themselves, the- "vexed 1
•", '.question'; : would'* solve -itself, S The;^ plain
truth is that &99 in every ICOO consider \u25a0
housework in all Its branches beneath
• them.'. They take it up^asva means of j
.'-.• Support until they can escape the.neces
\u25a0' ' niarinat!nK;tvlth the mayonnaise, that, they
' may. not cuscolcr. and then acd the other
- lnKrcdlenta. Mix thoroußhly and set in a
'\u25a0\u25a0.- coid-place. Serve. upun lettuce leaves with \u25a0
' a maraschino cherry -on the top of .each
' ' .. portion,-- : * <•\u25a0\u25a0.\u25a0"„ \u25a0 '\u25a0'!\u25a0 . \u25a0 \u25a0 , - ' .'
'. '.j -'\u25a0-\u25a0\u25a0 Kuxnquat/Slarraalade. \u0084\u25a0.; ' '
- Wash.- dry and slice the fruit (thin wtth \u25a0
.- a ver> Bhaip knlie. temavinc: the, seeds. To
.^:,'; each quart of > fruit aUi>w one .larce lime.,:,
iff cut leiigthwise^ and sliced thm: ' Vul a cup- ;•
\u25a0 - ful of wa'er- to -each -pint of ,Bllc«?d fruit. \u25a0•
\u25a0"\u25a0' Let ail stand ., overnight.- • Next- day drain
. off the llauid,t and: to", each? cupful- of. It
yi\ allow- on« 01 'granulated bugar. "-'.; Cook -until \u25a0'.
/the fUKar .has'-diasJlved: -putMn the-rruit -
- l and let all 'simmer.- Btirrtng».from the-bct- .-.
'torn cccaslynally. -until you have- a. rich''
\u25a0 syrup and the/ fruit- i»< tcanslucentr. Pour;.
'.' Into felly f Klaeses and* cover with'" payer;
'.dipped in \u25a0 bran-ay. - A;«iua«tiof *fruitj will .
. \u25a0 make a ou^rt - t>f ' mnrmaladfi.', .:. , _ • \u25a0
1 have a fine 'recipe for ureen tomato cit
\u25a0 \u25a0' cup. for which "Mrs. C. D.; 8." (UJUisvillo.
\u25a0\u25a0' Ky.) ; asked. .If Vhe will, send" me * her ad-,,
\u25a0*"•'. dress," I will irlßdly; forward-: It \u25a0 ;
«.-'. Mrs.G. h.K. fAllfiglieny.Pa.).:..
-. 'Why - not let- us have > the , recipe«in
:\u25a0• jstead . of ; giving it -to one «,- member « of \u25a0
*,\u25a0 the Corner ?.; We have never had = It, and --,
'. although it may not*be.i'.'seasonableVjat
:* t the * present .writing; - summer, <\u25a0> autumn '-
'.'.-. and green tomatoes will-be hero before ;
";•\u25a0 we 'are -ready t'for them. -AYe- will \u25a0; cut :
: out^ and keep: the 1 recipe. V - \u25a0 ~-
To Rear <an \ Angora Kitten
•.* Where : can "•> ll ret "« information concerning \u25a0
ralslnf an Angora kitten? -.;• '^^\u0084-\ ' \i
- \u25a0 \u25a0 \u25a0 Mrs?G. F. ;L- (Madison. Wls.). ...
.Will those^of our i readers .who v have
reared cats }of , that v species
this question?: So i f ar "\u25a0; as i my,, personal
knowledge of i them j goes,-, they ?, grow
and ; thrive -under *precisely ; :the t same
treatment - that : is I given ; to > felines /of
less' distinguished .breeds. ; /:>{.•, . , ;\u25a0 • \u25a0.--\u25a0 \u25a0
? -:. But* this Is the opinion :of; a*. woman
who knows ; more ; of ? the I young! of -the
human race - than %of . cats v and ,* ca-.
naries."':- "y^l-'u'-y- '"\u25a0 ' '-\u25a0 '\u25a0- \u25a0^-•\-iv*^'r-.>
Of Interest
ti''/:' : 'f w« s om»y 5 judge »from soaring \u25a0 prices.^.
s'S economy must : now . be » our.' watchword, -'It
. *.?inay. <after all; - have *a . briehf. aide, -this <
I . V; universal anxiety as -to \u25a0\u25a0. ways and means. ;
-" : "It's an- ill wind that :b'.ow».-no . Rood." >: A«-:
ft',» nation.;< we -hnve. been -too "\u25a0wasteful.'" and \u25a0
; - v perhaps j necessity -will - teach aus , that i so
.v«t long; as • a •"left-over".* i* • clean \u25a0 and whole- -
::>.. some, if' should be put.' to some good use.*-vfj
*~-~r-~lr- knew a* lady. \u25a0an i" extravagant Chouse-/
.;-,;: keener. who.J: after spending a « few months
~y.: : In Berlin, came back a changed woman. & She ».
'.'£& had * learned .- from -. the "- German H housewife ?
isi. ' that ?\u25a0 well-bred ' people % may j - practice * econ- .
-"'^;omy : and ' thrift \u25a0 In ' the \u25a0 sma'lest ! matters I per- 1
.- 1. i; tainlng *, to ; the rkltchen.. :: s What n »he 3 saved I
:.;/\u25a0 therein helced - her '\o*i give * to s a" charitable
sity by marriage or # by going into a
• \u25a0 . \u25a0 \u25a0 \u25a0 • ..--;•\u25a0 v \u25a0 \u25a0-* n -».
.factory or shop. The queen 0? England
Isno more respectable In her .place than
you are in, yours. \u0084
You refer to tho - habit oi calling aa
employer "the madam," instead of re
: fen ing to her as "the . mistress," as
maids did thirty years back. It is 'a
new trick of the 999 who are ashamed
\u25a0to "confess," "I am- among, you as one
who serves." 1 .., : /
(You do not need. to be told who-said
that,; and vhen?) I digress to say that
1 1 have note'.r with • secret amusement.
,the > substitution of "the' madam" for
"the '\u25a0mistress.'" 1 and. likewise that:few,
even- of the. better. class of minds now
adays, say "Yes, Madam," or "Ma'am,"
and ."Xo, 1 Madam." or- "Malim." It Is.
"Yes, Mrs.: Blank,", and. "No, Mrs/.'So
and-So," uttered respectfully, but in a
palpable imitation of the ways, of
speech" common with their ; employers.
When they tacitly evade the confession
that they are socially inferior to those
who command "..their services ' and pay
their wages, . they ;• seem to fancy that
they Jevel distinctions of rank. ..
The "trick" has a '.ludicrous resem
blance to the ostrich's way of hiding his
head in;the sand to escape observation.
A QUESTION,, OF DUTY ' v
j Your, duties? To" do' the work laid •to
your hand, honestly and willingly." _ : In
':-:, detail, this duty varies in* different
.; households. Do the -work* because, "in
d that. very place," you were appointed to
' do it. •
Your "rights"? To be treated like a"
: hpman 'beins who Is filling her place
in life tQjhe best of her. ability. ,
My cheeks glowed and my blood grew
hot-iri reading of the well-bred and
amiable yourigwomenwho go to church
\u25a0.. regularly and perhaps 1 give liberally to
>the;.poor, ".yet 'never ibethink themselves
of .the; obligation to- interest -themselves
In the patient fellow-woman who di»
* charg**.' her- duties "in the fear |of ,the
Lord,, and with the. earnest purpose^ to
• please employers/; ''Allow.; me to! \u25a0\u25a0 suspect
that one. living and all-pervading ;ele
\u25a0': ment -of refinement and true gentlehood
-iH lacking in their make-up. The Irish "
/ riiistresses In whose homes your cousins
, If carpets curl at eclses. lav a wet cloth
over-trie curled part and set a heavy welgnt
••\u25a0\u25a0 ,ujjon il.JLt.ivu il v t!jere all night;' it wM
\u25a0\u25a0' lie straight afterward, t'i v -, - • \u25a0' •
• -\u25a0 If^a drawer sticks in"th« srroove.' rub
i soaD upon -the upper edce. and It will slide
'. .'ln easily.. - .- ' " . . - .\u25a0 -
.• - Windows : may. b«! cleaned moro thoroughly
-'and quickly If a .larjrp sDuonful of. kero
.• : . eene be put .into the pall of water used for"
' : '\u25a0'.'-• washing: - them. \u25a0 ; ' - . •
'\u25a0' AS; to the embryo i "Soyer." I . should -say
:.rrthat ;if he- really, deoiiej to ; learn*; to cook
and will 'but . have - confltlcnce "in hlm*elf.
he^wlll surely-succeed. .- I knew two boys
- who were ' chums, oc* spent -years afcol-
'--- JtKe and 'accomplished little \in after life.
•The other. \u25a0 . thru ugh \u25a0\u25a0 cooking jgood meal
'•: ••• for come young fellows, turned his thoughts
.- 'to - the i uiinury . art, \ and - became chef, at '
t-a Knod" salary, in the -most urunanent club
;,of the :clty. \u25a0--•\u25a0;* • -. £ '-\u25a0\u25a0:\u25a0• ».•.,••?-....- :.-\u25a0•
- . The -lively member-who wrote of the ln
- diction •of• ; a self -Invited • «ru»-st .'\u25a0 struck a'
\u25a0 chord r that -vlbrates'ln iiw bosom painfully..
\u25a0 Suppc««! a i person writes to say: \u25a0 "I 1 am
•coming: to suend - t«n * days with .you.'.' The
Eg whole; family niakej tmall dai:v sacrifices;
. they are cramoetl as to 'alveolate \u25a0 apart -
\u25a0 \u25a0 ments. *. that \u25a0 the \u25a0 kuom ' mav • have the best •
" j room \u25a0 In ; the : hDute : •\u25a0\u25a0 tho breakfast menu ,Is •
- \u25a0». changed,- because .what we love best is nof
, -i-what. a »tran«er would like: -our; clothe*
. \ : are packed • Into « unaccustomed \u25a0 corners, be
"; cause sho needs the closets In tier roan;
\'i the table "mu#t be »et twice.% for the head
of the houo9 must have his. meals at hours
- -!that'-do not> suit> the ' convenience -of the
\u25a0 \u25a0 gueat.-"- Yet . we ,wlsh that ; for, ten days
-•: everything: • , and f everybody •• shuuld .'"\u25a0 appear
f well. -<:- The ten days vase. and. nothing .Is
:-\u25a0 ia id «of departure, '"and j ten .days more are \u25a0
. «pent \u25a0 In • like i manner, sand th»> se f -invited '
, ,»rtJest id ;'. still r with- us.- -We are <Je»i>erate!
| , Kindly tell \u25a0• us \u25a0 what - course . we should dut- '
•)\u25a0 sue under the circumstances. ' . . \u25a0'
T-'-jr-.-r i; ;;: •;•.;- -. Mrs. L.T. (Chicago).; .
\u25a0 :' You* cite -^'wh'at'Xi. would 'falh j believe ! Is
fs an i extreme t case.*;",Yet . I*\u25a0 have in " mem
w~ oryf the i case ; of : a c man \u25a0 who « camped
'\u25a0\u25a0-„ down "; In imy> house ~ for..; three - months,
,v, v after v presenting i himself '~~ without ; invi
i.tation \ot .; warning^ tAt ' the end '- of ; the
" , time ; we ' quietly/ informed him v that ' we
;had • accepted^an to .travel
Q with ' a > party, of , friends for * a fortnight,*
• and' must ; shut <,up;- the house. 'Where
r 5 upon,"' he coolly .remarked that ' he - "could
\ get J along ; very * comfortably/ during our
.*•: absence,! sinee >,we ' had* such 'good * serv~
l . ants.'A;;: ; He s.was y - then •; politely : told * that
.- : the ; servants ; would \u25a0 have ; a "vacation " and
4; vlslt'^ their,- relatives 5 for.: the fortnight.
; : He " betook ; himself •to j the 1 house of an
"other-friend.^l;do not' know* how they
/. contrived i to^ eject*. him. - : . \u25a0 _?>\V •"\u25a0 -:- .- ' • \u25a0
- 'i- The; truth— which 'may. 1 sound brutal to
.?: some * readers-^is * that; in; your.- case 'as
\u25a0v- in i mine, % the I Imposition / al^a 1^ so-called
: C guest'upon;the.'household»ls an;lnfringe
\u25a0 ment jupon I hospi tality.N an | outrage done
i 1i 1 to: conventionality,** and va i nuisance ' that
; if ought sto*be •, abated -. by .'< stringent meas
ures.): - The j woman ; who \u25a0 upsets r .the s de
The San Francisco Sunday Call*
work are doubtless "to the manor born."
They are so secure in their station that
they are not afraid to be gracious to
c their .employes. The ability to bend
without breaking is one of the hall
marks of true breeding.
Your privileges? Here, again, rules
and customs "vary." There should be no
question as to what they are In the
well-ordered household. I as
soon think of holding back a portion of
a maid's wages -on payday as of over
looking her day and evening "out," or
•of asking her .to forego one of them to
suit \u25a0' \u25a0 my convenience. When circum
stances beyond my control make Ihi3
imperative, the debt is not forgotten.
Another day Is given, and when st y
lng at honie upon the Thursday or .Fri
day which belonss to the maid involves
extra work, a litt«e outing and amuse
ment are planned as interest on the debt.
1 '1,- am asked sometimes: "Does it pay
in the lone: run to grant to your maids
privileges and-recreations not nominated
in the bond? Don't you think It has a
tendency to spoil them?"
I do not stay to ponder that question.
~ I do It more for my own sake than for
theirs. I cannot reconcile it. with my
" conscience to treat women like myself
as .If they were automatic machines,
and that my duty to them Is done when
they are' oiled with dally food and
wound up by the payment of monthly
wages. And an uneasy conscience is
more troublesome than a servant spoiled
by, overindulgence.
Your letter appeals powerfully to my
sympathies. If any word or deed of
mine could straighten out the ugly
crooks in your lot. neither should be
wanting. Yet of one thinff you may be
cent orderliness of your home, and pro
longs the. inconvenience without war
hant, is simply making a convenience of
you, and shamelessly. Suspend the laws
of hospitality for a season, and tell her
outright and civilly that family arrange
ments make it impossible for you to In
vite her to f extend - the period of her
visit; - - . -
She has. forfeited all right to courteous
consideration.-
Is It a "F<ike»?
I have reen in your "Family Meals for a
Week" mention of a "Fruit Surprise." : In
Fpeaklng of It to a visitor, she said the
name was a "fake." made uo for the oc
casion.. -Please tell me if it -Is a real des
fert." or if you Just stick in names as they
occur to -yctf- in> writing
HANNAH M. E. (Buffalo. Nl.N 1 . V.).
There' are no "fake" dishes in my
menus: I could* supply, a recipe for
each iflhad time and room. ,
: :"A\ Fruit Surprise" is more a sum
mer than :a , winter dessert., although
it , may- be made of bananas and
oranges, also of ; canned peaches or
strawberries. -'and I. once made a de
licious- \u25a0" "surprise" that baffled .the
eaters when jthey tried to :. analyze .-It.
The - fruit was' well -flavored apple
sauce-, that^had been run through a
colander, ,then sweetened. I nevef
cook sugar, in apple ' sauce. It In
jures, color 'and ..taste.l „
Fruit Surprise.
Mash a quart, of ; fruit to a pulp, stir
into it a: heaping cup <of * granulated
sugar, the juice of a lemon and -the
unbeaten whites' of four eggs.' If not
sweet enough.Jadd more' sugar. Pour,
the mixture into - the freezer, and
freeze. \u25a0 The . turning : of the dasher
will .whip tall' to a frozen foam.
When Gleaning
W HEN- v washing "window- paint or
v cupboard doors, etc., uso a little
r whiting . on \u25a0 a > flannel instead of
soap. • It will .remove: all .dirty marks
without injuring .the ,most • delicate-col
ored ; paint; s> .-. '\u25a0:\u25a0> p •\u25a0. .- . \u25a0
L* Clean the brass as usual, then rub It
over \u25a0' with 'a' soft "cloth . dipped \u25a0in vase
line, V and !*, afterward polish ; it , with . a
dry.-duster. This' will keep, lt from get
ting, tarnished - so : quickly - even { in the
dampest ' 'weather. and is very little
trouble. ' - :t^*MtimWgat « fflHJLlfai
'\u25a0& Tak? -' about \u25a0';: four.' handfuls of, flour,
mix : with, water -into quite a stiff dough
;and proceed sto rub the v walls.' when all
dust ; and t dirt .will- be removed. 1 ;, „\u25a0 ?j :;
assured: If the dear Master of us all
did not see that th© crooked way is th»
better for your growth in faith, hope
and love, one straighter and smoother
would be appointed unto you.
Lay Mrs. Whitney's pear! of wisdom
to heart. I say it over to myself twenty
times a day. when puzzled and dis
couraged. It will help you. as it he*sP»
me. to know that your way ia "thaJT
.very way of His."
Family Meals
for a Week
SUNDAY
BREAKFAST.
Grapefruit, hominy and cream, fried
•callops. muffins, toast, tea and coSee.
L.T7XCKEON.
Hot corned beef, potato salad, crackers
and cheese, hot biscuits and honey, cocoa*
r-V-". DINNER.
Black bean soup (based upon llquar ln
which beef was bolle<l). larded and baked
cal- s liver. stewe.J oyster plant, rtced po
tatoes, chestnut pudding, black coffee.
MONDAY
BREAKFAST.
Apple saure. cereal and cream, corned
twf hash, rolls, toast, marmalade, tea and
coffee.
LUXCiTEOj;.
Meat cakes (a left-over), baked potatoes,
large hominy boiled and buttered, cookies
and tea.'
DINNER.
Yesterday's soup, curried veal, boiled rice,
teed bananas, eaten with th© enrry; potato
croquettes ta left-over), poor man s pud-
TUESDAY
BREAKFAST.
Oranges, cereal and cream, bacon and
fried hominy <a left-over), oatmeal aconea,
toast, tea and coffee.
LUNCHEON.
Ste-w of curried v<»al and rice (a left-over),
fried bananas <a left-over), toasted scones
left from breakfast, ho: gingerbread and
cheese, cocoa. ,
DINNER.
Onion soup, fried pijes' feet with tomato
« j c f,' 9PJnach. browned sweet potatoes, rlc*
Pudding, black coffee. •,-. .
WEDNESDAY < *Jjf
_ BREAKFAST.
fvTiri,?^ pnines- oatmeal JelJy and cream,
rxmed aam. oopovers. toast, tea and eof-
LUXCHEOX
n«Tl!« Zl *d ii b *"?f"?f wltJl «ream *auc«, baked
KraTcocSaV 1"' *alad ' «***"* m *lm
PINNER.
Tomato- cr«am sotio. boiled mutton wita
•quash pie. black coffee.
THURSDAY
BREAKFAST. -
Oranres. cereal and cream, bacon, potato
biscuits, toast, marmalade, tea and coCea.
LUNCHEON.
Sebmsm and middle cake*. For dessert,
the cakes with maple syrup, tea. ~""»
DINNER.
Glastrow broth «based upon liauor «n
which mutton was cooked), boiled beef
steak a la Jardiniere, spinach aouaia Ueft
over fom Tuesday), fried carrots/ i»ol«
dumpllnes fbalted). black eoCee. **»»*•
FBIDAY
BREAKFAST. .
Oran«r«. cereal and cream. Spanish on^
\u2666let. muEuw. toast, tea and coffee.
LUNCHEON.
Salt mackerel trtlji cream gravy boiled
potatoes, salad of celery knobs (a left-oviin
with lettuce and French dre2ln| craeffi
fend cheese, tea. *• "»*-*«*
/ ' - DINNER.
I Vegetable soup, scalloped oysters. «rin*
whipped <ream. black cotfee. uuia wlt*
SATURDAY
BREAKFAST. '„
Stewed dates, cereal and cream baeo«
and e«s. mufflna. toast, tta™ 1 coffin ,
. , LUNCHEON.- V>
Cheese r<Midu. quicu graham blscuitj^f
salad of string beans, cold com and lettu£ v
(a left-over>. crackers and 'cheese. SwlS
toast with lemon sauce, tea. ™
* DINNER. ,:
Glaszow broth. (a left-overt. • roast loin of
pork.' asote sauce, i stewed tomatoes, maahed
aweet cotatoes.' pineapple lea cream (horn**
made), black coffee.