What Diantha Did

religion with a f

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politics the newe

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housemaid lecture. As many other men as were able did the same. All the me

orm recalled a "tournament of roses," and, sternly important among all that fragrant loveliness, sat Mrs. Dankshire in "the chair" flanked by Miss Torbus, the Recording Secretary, Miss Massing, the Treasurer, and Mrs. Ree, tremulous with im

different from "the chair," discreetly gowned and of a bafflingly seren

er anyhow," was on

Tell you-the chap that gets her

conferred in flowing whispers; and in the galler

at core and crux of all parliamentry dignity, the gavel; an instrument no self-respectin

ome elements of unrest, and when the yearly election of officers came round there was always need for

ows!" was awesomely whispered of her), were the heads of what might be called "the conservative party" in this small parliament; while Miss Miranda L. Eagerson, descri

as this leadership consisted mainly in the pursuance of a masterly inactivity. When wealth and aristocracy combine with

n Miss Eagerson held the floor, and urged upon the club some active assistance in the march

val. Here was a subject appealing to every woman present, and every man but such f

g about her, and let one clear tap of the gavel fall

se come to order," "We will now hear the reading of the minutes of the last meeting," and so

the lifelong reiterance of small duties at home, or all these things together, which makes women so seriously letter-perfect in parliamentry usage.

art of every member of the Home and Culture Club. As our name implies, this Club is formed to s

nd the light patte

e in this community. Our aim is Culture in the broadest sense, not only in the curricula of institutions of learning, not only in those spreading branches of study and research which tempts us on

, are still-and find in this our highest honor-wives and mothe

fficult-the well-nigh insuperable problems of the"-she glance

crowded. Why is it that while the peace and beauty, the security and comfort, of a good home, with easy labor and high pay, are open to every young woman, whose circumstances oblige her to toil for he

on her black glove emphatically. Mrs. Thaddler also nodded; which meant a good

e." A faint blush crept slowly up the face of Diantha, but her expression was unchanged.

wa farmers, was not unmindful of this, but she went on smoothly, "and whose first employment was the honored task of the teacher; who has deliberately cast her lot with the domestic worker, and brought her trained

the audience. She stood quietly for a moment, regarding the faces before her, an

lls by men and women; that this process of socialization has now been taken from the home almost all the manufactures-as of wine, beer, soap, candles, pickles and other specialties, and part of the laundry work; that the other processes of cleaning are also being socialized, as by the vacuum cleaners, the pr

ent on to explain how the position of the housemaid is a survival of the ancient st

his relation is that we demand celibacy

his statement, but

st of a constantly changing series of young girls, apprentices, as it were; and the com

so far from being highly paid and easy labor, house service was exacting and responsible, involving a high degree of skill as

et voice went on to state that this last matter, the position of a strange young gi

, and has none of ours, but the poorest of our food and a cramped lodging; she has neither the freedom nor the privileges of a home; and as

lence met th

furnishing them with lodging as part payment; this also is a survival of the old appr

displeasure about her

ithout pay, we still waste labor to an enormous extent, requiring one whole woman to wait upon each man. If the man hires one or more servants, the wastes increase. If one hundred men undertake some common business, the

eir furnishings, twenty stoves with all their fuel; twenty cooks with all their wages; in cash and barter combined we pay

duced by nine-tenths; and beyond all that comes our incredible waste in individual purchasing. What twenty families spend on individual patronage of small retailers, could be reduced

this lead?" asked

e attitude of the house seemed to sa

me of any sort; and in particular it is not that oft repea

n roused by those preposterous figures and accusations was

s was of dubious import. "Why should we expect a group of families to "keep house" expertly and econom

uncertain

an improved system of living in which the private home will no more want a cookshop on the premises than a blacksmith's shop or soap-factory. The necessary work of the kitchenless house will be done by the hour, with skilled labor; and we shall order our food cooked instead of raw. This will give to the employees a respec

d quietly s

as on her feet.

ne-Mrs. Thaddler-no! yes-they really were both on their feet. Applause was going on-irregul

in alarmed whispers with Mrs. Ree, and Miss Massing, who had even been seen to extend her han

he meeting is now open for discussion, Mrs. Thaddler!" And she sat down. She

, "that I was against this-unfortunate experiment-from the

kered for an instant about th

e?" said the Presi

nd looked about her. An agitated assembly m

, "ORDER, please!" and rappe

ever in the course of all my experience have I heard anything so foolish and so dangerous, as this. I trust that the-doubtless well meant-attempt to throw light on this subject-from the

iss Eagerson. "I was up first-an

" said Mrs. Dankshire super

she made a painful mistake. The cloth and the fine bearing of the young clergyman de

to the platform

m with the easy air of one to w

hom I am delighted to see here to-day! I am grateful for the opportunity so graciously extende

I trust there will be enough open-minded women-and men-in Orchardina to make possible among us that higher business development of a great art which has been so convinci

and resumed his seat, Miss Eagerson taking advantag

le so thoroughly that we don't know where we're standing-but she knows! Housework is a business-like any other business-I've always said so, and it's got to b

ion needs to be taken. This Club cannot afford to countenance any such farrago of mischievous nonsense as we have heard

rs. Marrow of Boston, in clear,

erstone, the pretty, delicate widower daughter-in-law of Madam Weatherston

asked Mrs. Dankshire graciously, and the little lad

l expected-what wa

h has been offered to the guest and speaker of the day. In answer to our invitation Miss Bell h

otion," came fr

motion before the

their feet. Mrs. Dankshire tapped frantically with the little gavel

piercing tones. "Let every woman who knows enough to appreci

d not, did not mean to acknowledge lack of intelligence and sense of decency, b

p of her voice, "that every member who is guilty of such gros

New Woman's Club in Orchardina with some warmth in its heart and som

Motions to adjourn" the meeting broke up; the club elements dissolvi

ent was felt, though courteously suppressed by the men

in stern dignity, upheld the shaken standards of Home and Culture; while the most conspi