Part 55 (1/2)

”O yes, she never presumes. But I mean the capable way she manages--I don't have to tell her one thing, nor to oversee, nor criticize. I spoke of it and she said, 'If I didn't understand the business I should have no right to undertake it.”

”That's a new point of view, isn't it?” asked her husband. ”Don't they usually make you teach them their trade and charge for the privilege?”

”Yes, of course they do. But then she does have her disadvantages--as you said.”

”Does she? What are they?”

”Why she's so--rigid. I'll read you her--I don't know what to call it.

She's written out a definite proposition as to her staying with us, and I want you to study it, it's the queerest thing I ever saw.”

The doc.u.ment was somewhat novel. A clear statement of the hours of labor required in the position, the quality and amount of the different kinds of work; the terms on which she was willing to undertake it, and all prefaced by a few remarks on the status of household labor which made Mr. p.o.r.ne open his eyes.

Thus Miss Bell; ”The ordinary rate for labor in this state, unskilled labor of the ordinary sort, is $2.00 a day. This is in return for the simplest exertion of brute force, under constant supervision and direction, and involving no serious risk to the employer.”

”Household labor calls for the practice of several distinct crafts, and, to be properly done, requires thorough training and experience. Its performer is not only in a position of confidence, as necessarily entrusted with the care of the employer's goods and with knowledge of the most intimate family relations; but the work itself, in maintaining the life and health of the members of the household, is of most vital importance.

”In consideration of existing economic conditions, however, I am willing to undertake these intricate and responsible duties for a seven day week at less wages than are given the street-digger, for $1.50 a day.”

”Good gracious, my dear!” said Mr. p.o.r.ne, laying down the paper, ”This young woman does appreciate her business! And we're to be let off easy at $45.00 a month, are we”

”And feel under obligations at that!” answered his wife. ”But you read ahead. It is most instructive. We shall have to ask her to read a paper for the Club!”

”'In further consideration of the conditions of the time, I am willing to accept part payment in board and lodging instead of cash. Such accommodations as are usually offered with this position may be rated at $17.00 a month.”

”O come now, don't we board her any better than that?”

”That's what I thought, and I asked her about it, and she explained that she could get a room as good for a dollar and a-half a week--she had actually made inquiries in this very town! And she could; really a better room, better furnished, that is, and service with it. You know I've always meant to get the girl's room fixed more prettily, but usually they don't seem to mind. And as to food--you see she knows all about the cost of things, and the materials she consumes are really not more than two dollars and a half a week, if they are that. She even made some figures for me to prove it--see.”

Mr. p.o.r.ne had to laugh.

”Breakfast. Coffee at thirty-five cents per pound, one cup, one cent.

Oatmeal at fourteen cents per package, one bowl, one cent. Bread at five cents per loaf, two slices, one-half cent. b.u.t.ter at forty cents per pound, one piece, one and a-half cents. Oranges at thirty cents per dozen, one, three cents. Milk at eight cents per quart, on oatmeal, one cent. Meat or fish or egg, average five cents. Total--thirteen cents.”

”There! And she showed me dinner and lunch the same way. I had no idea food, just the material, cost so little. It's the labor, she says that makes it cost even in the cheapest restaurant.”

”I see,” said Mr. p.o.r.ne. ”And in the case of the domestic servant we furnish the materials and she furnishes the labor. She cooks her own food and waits on herself--naturally it wouldn't come high. What does she make it?”

'Food, average per day . . . $0.35 Room, $1.50 per w'k, ave. per day . . . .22 ----- .57

Total, per month . . . $17.10

$1.50 per day, per month . . . $45.00

”'Remaining payable in cash, $28.00.' Do I still live! But my dear Ellie, that's only what an ordinary first-cla.s.s cook charges, out here, without all this fuss!”

”I know it, Ned, but you know we think it's awful, and we're always telling about their getting their board and lodging clear--as if we gave'em that out of the goodness of our hearts!”

”Exactly, my dear. And this amazing and arithmetical young woman makes us feel as if we were giving her wampum instead of money--mere primitive barter of ancient days in return for her twentieth century services!

How does she do her work--that's the main question.”