HUMOURS OF DOMESTIC SERVICE IN CANADA.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 24, 5 March 1914, Page 5

HUMOURS OF DOMESTIC SERVICE IN CANADA.

For the Canadian housekeeper , of small 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 Queen"), delighted with the excellent service of these men in Vancouver, engaged one on her return to Toronto. For some time everything 'Went smoothly. The Chinaman was a diligent attendant at a Sunday-school, and of ten embellished his conversation with phrases that he had learned there. He heard that a fellow student was receiving/higher wages, and he demanded an increase, which his mispress refused. On the following morning,, when she went downstairs, no Chinaman was in sight, though the table was neatly laid, and the breakfast had been cooked. Mrs Blank had invited some friends to luncheon, and she provided for th'em as well as she could, with the assistance of a charwoman. While they were seated at luncheon Ah Sing appeared in - the doorway and stated his case: "You velly lieh woman; I velly poor man. I askee you more money; you no givee me. O, Lamb of God, I go." Upon which he departed, and never -reappeared. Mrs Dash, who had a summer cottage in a country place, was left servantless while she was entertaining a house party. She engaged an Irishwoman, 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 morning there was no sign of tea on the breakfast table. 11 Where is the tea?" asked Mrs Dash. Mrs: Moriarty lifted lid of the coffee pot: "Sure, it's in there, along wid the coffee. You tould me we'd have both iv thim i'i breakfast.'' The visitors, tried to compose their countenances. Mrs Dash rose in consternation: " You said you knew how to make coffee! " Mrs Moriarty folded her arms, unabashed? "I said I cud, an' I can, no matther who says I cudh't. I've lived cook wid the best fam'lies in Ireland, an'l've no call to be learnin' yer new Canadian ways. " The same Mrs Moriarty heard young Henry Dash strumming his piano lesson. "Sure, that's the clever boy,'' she remarked. "An' what is it he is playin'?" "It's only scales," replied Alfred Dash. "Scales," she repeated, "scales! NoW, quit yer foolin', will ye. Many's the piano I've hear-rd in Ireland; but I niver hear-rd tell iv weighin' music. Scales, indade! "