CHAPTER V

SERVANTS

=150. From a Housemaid Applying for a Situation.=

H----, September 18, 19--.

MADAM:--

Mrs. Matthews, of H----, informs me that you are in want of a second maid, and I now apply for the situation. Have been living for the last two years with Mrs. Richard Stevens, 19 Davis Street, E----, who will give me an excellent character. I have left her to take care of my sick mother, who is now quite well again, and does not need me any longer.

Am 23 years of age, and am strong and active. I received $4.50 a week from Mrs. Matthews. Should be very glad to come over and see you, any day you may please to name.

I remain, Very respectfully yours, MARY SULLIVAN.

=151. From a Housemaid Accepting a Situation.=

H----, September 21, 19--.

MADAM:--

Your letter received this morning; I beg to say I shall be very pleased to accept your situation.

Shall be quite ready to come to you on Friday the 24th, and will start by the 7:30 train from H----.

Very respectfully yours, MARY SULLIVAN.

=152. From a Housemaid Excusing Herself for not Taking a Situation.=

H----, September 21, 19--.

MADAM:--

I trust you will pardon me for declining your situation; I fear that the work would be too heavy for me. Had not sufficiently considered this before engaging to take the place of house maid in your family, but feel that I am not strong enough for all that would be required of me in that capacity.

Very respectfully, MARY SULLIVAN.

=153. Asking for Information Concerning a Maid.=

Will Mrs. White kindly inform Mrs. Grant whether she considers Eliza Smith--who lived with her as housemaid--to be strictly honest, steady, obliging, and in all respects a good servant, also the reason of her leaving Mrs. White's service?

L----, January 19, 19--.

=154. Answer to the Above.=

Mrs. White begs to say that Eliza Smith is honest and steady, but would require no little training before she could be considered a good servant. She was only in her service a very short time, and Mrs. White parted with her, as she was not equal to the work.

L----, January 20, 19--.

=155. Asking for Information Concerning a Cook.=

W----, January 10, 19--.

Mrs. Hardwick would be much obliged if Mrs. Beeton would inform her whether Mary Brown thoroughly understands the duties of a family cook, including baking and laundry work; also whether she considers her trustworthy and reliable. Mrs. Hardwick has been told Mary Brown left Mrs. Beeton's service by her own desire, and that she is willing to give her a good character.

=156. Answer to the Above.=

W----, January 12, 19--.

Replying to Mrs. Hardwick's letter, Mrs. Beeton begs to say that she is able to answer all her questions satisfactorily respecting Mary Brown; she is a very good plain cook, and well up in her duties, she can bake good bread, irons nicely, and is most trustworthy in every way. Mrs. Beeton was sorry to part with her, and she left owing to a disagreement with the second maid.

=157. Asking for Information Concerning a Butler.=

The High Cliff, N----, June 3, 19--.

DEAR MADAM:--

Peter Williams has just applied to me for the situation of butler, stating that he lived with you in that capacity. Will you kindly tell me if, while in your service, he was steady, sober, honest, and whether he thoroughly understands his duties? He informs me he is not a married man. May I ask if this is the case as far as you know, and might I further ask the reason of your parting with him?

Thanking you in advance for the trouble,

I remain, Your obedient servant, GEORGE SAINTSBURY.

=158. Answer to the Above.=

Hawthorne Lodge.

Mrs. Stafford regrets to say that she must decline to give Peter Williams a recommendation. She may further add that he was in her service five weeks only.

June 4, 19--.

=159. From a Cook Asking a Lady to Recommend Her.=

D----, December 5, 19--.

Mrs. Raymond. MADAM:--

Will you kindly excuse my troubling you, but may I ask if you would have any objection to saying what you could in my favor to Mrs. Wyndham, who will engage me as cook, if I can obtain a satisfactory reference as to my capacity and character. Thought, as I had formerly lived in your service, I might be allowed to refer to you. Am aware that I cannot ask for a character, having received one on leaving your service; but, unfortunately, when I left my last situation the lady refused to give me one on account of my having lost my temper with her, she having been previously very violent in her language towards me.

I mentioned this circumstance to Mrs. Wyndham, who says she will overlook it if the answer from my former mistress to her inquiries was satisfactory.

Shall be very grateful, madam, if you will grant this request.

I beg to remain, Yours respectfully, MARY O'BRIEN.

=160. From a Nurse to Her Mistress Absent from Home.=

P----, August 10, 19--.

MADAM:--

I am glad to be able to inform you that the dear children are quite well. Miss Nina has almost lost her cough, and Master Robert has a wonderful appetite compared to what he had when you left home. They all send their best love to dear papa and mamma. I am very particular in attending to all your directions. The house is kept as cool as the season permits, and the heat is quite bearable. I never allow the children to be out in the sun, and I give them cold baths morning and evening.

Enclosed please find the list of things wanted for the young ladies which you desire me to send.

I beg to remain Very respectfully yours, KATE DALY.

=161. Marriage Proposal from a Butler to a Cook.=

N----, March 12, 19--.

Dear Miss O'Neil:--

For some time past, I have been anxious to make my feelings known to you, but have not had an opportunity of doing so. I therefore think it best not to delay any longer, but to tell you by letter that I very much wish to make you my wife, if you think you could be happy with me. We have seen each other so often the last two years, I am quite sure I should never like any one but you; and want you to express the same favorable opinion about me, and say that your heart is mine, my dear Mary. If this is so, the sooner we are married the better.

The legacy of $600 received from my late master, added to my own savings of the last ten years, will enable me to take a boarding-house in a good location, and have already seen one which no doubt would answer very well; but I cannot decide upon anything until you accept me as your husband, and if I have not greatly mistaken your sentiments I believe you will.

Believe me ever, my dear Mary, Your fond lover, THOMAS BLACK.

=162. Answer to the Above.=

H----, March 1, 19--.

My Dear Mr. Black:--

I answer your kind and welcome letter at once. You have not mistaken my feelings: I have a great respect and esteem for you joined to a sincere affection, and from what I know of you, I feel sure you would make me a good and kind husband, and therefore have no hesitation in accepting your offer. Am very much flattered by your good opinion of me, and, as your wife, I will do everything in my power to continue to deserve it.

I hardly know what to say about being married at once, as I am very comfortable in my present situation, and putting by a little money every year; but, as you think of taking a boarding-house at once, I had better hear what you have to say before making up my mind either way.

Hoping to see you very soon,

I am, dear Tom, with kind love, Your truly affectionate MARY BAKER.