HUMORS OF DOMESTIC SERVICE IN CANADA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3585, 10 March 1914, Page 8

HUMORS OF DOMESTIC SERVICE IN CANADA.

For the Canadian housekeeper oi sma-JI income the problem of obtaining competent servants becomes increasingly difficult. In British Columbia, like the States of Oregon and California, Chinamen are employed. A Toronto lady (says a writer in “The Queen”), delighted with the excellent service of these, men in Yancouvr, engaged one on her return to Toronto. For some time everything went smoothly. The Chinaman was n diligent attendant at a Sunday-school, and often embellished his conversation with phrases that (lie had learned there He heard that a fellow student was receiving higher wages, and he demanded an increase, which his mistress refused. On the following morning when she went downstairs, no Chinaman was in sight, though riio table was neatly lakl, and the breakfast had been cooked. Mrs Blank had invited some friends to luncheon, and she provided for them as well as she could, with the assistance of a charwoman. While they were at lunch Ah Sing appeared in the doorway and stated Ibis case: “You volly lich woman; I velly poor man. I askeo you more money; you no give mo. 0 Lamb of God, I go.” Upon which bo departed, and never reappeared. Mrs Bash, who, had a summer cottage in a country place, was left seivantless while she was entertaining a house party. She engaged an Irish woman who lived in a cabin by the roadside and who had often come to the cottage to wash and scrub. Mrs Moriarty said she could cook very well and Mrs Dash hoped for the best. On the following there was no sign o* tea on the breakfast table. “Where' is the tea?” asked Mrs Dash. Mrs Moriarty lifted the lid of the coffee pot: “Sure, it’s in there, along wid the coffee. You told me we’d have both iv tibim f’r breakfast.” The visitors tried to compose their countenances. ’ Mrs Dash rose Tn consternation: “Y'ou said you knew how to make coffee!” Mrs Moriarty folded her arms, unabashed: “I said I cud, an’ I can. no matter who says I cudn’t I’ve lived cook wid the best fam’iiea in Ire 1 and, an’ I’ve no call to be learnin’ yer new Canadian ways.” The same Mrs Moriarty hoard young Henry Dasli strumming his piano lesson. “Sure, that’s the clever boy,” she remarked. “An’ what is it he is playing’?” “It’s only scales,” replied Alfred Daslb. “Scales,” she re- 1 pea ted, “scales! Now, quit yer foolin’, will ye. Many’s the piano I’ve hear-rd in Ireland ; lliu-t I niver hear-rd tell iv weighin’ music. Scales, indade!”