[Miss HARKER took service as a day governess in a family at
Stockton, at a salary of 25_s._ a month, coupled with the
privilege of dining in the house. She found herself under the
necessity of taking a lodging, the rent for which more than
absorbed her modest stipend. She taught three children English
and music. Afterwards a couple of infants were placed in her
charge. Nor was this all, for when the servants left, the new
governess had "to cook the dinner, wash the dishes, and clean
the knives." After this she asked for a holiday, the result
being that "she was shown the door." Thereupon she brought
an action in the County Court for a month's salary in lieu
of notice. Judgment for plantiff with costs, payable
forthwith.--_Daily News, June 12._]
Poor Miss HARKER went to Stockton, to Stockton on the Tees,
But not to make her fortune, or to loll at home at ease;
She went to be a governess, and hoped, it would appear,
To board and lodge and dress herself on L15 a-year.
A lady once informed us how a lady can be dressed
As a lady all for L15, and in her very best;
But she never would have ventured to include in her account
The lodgings and the breakfasts too for this immense amount.
Now life may be a river, as Pactolus was of old,
Which brings you lots of water to a minimum of gold,
But sometimes it were better, when the water sinks so low
That it fails to turn your mill-wheel, if the river ceased to flow.
So all day long with urchins three Miss HARKER toiled in chains,
And she poured the oil of learning well upon their rusty brains,
And she practised them in music, and she polished up their sense
With the adverbs and the adjectives, and verbs in mood and tense.
And they said, "She's doing nicely, we will give her something more
(Not of money, but of labour) ere we show her to the door,
Why, we've got two baby children, it is really only fair
That Miss HARKER should look after them, and wash and dress the
pair.
"And, Miss HARKER, it will save us such a lot of trouble too,
If, when our servants leave us, they can leave their work to you.
So you'll please to cook our dinner, let your motto be _Ich Dien_,
(No, no, you needn't thank us) and you'll keep our dishes clean.
"And, of course, you'll do it daily--what was that you dared to say?
You would like to rest a week or so, and want a holiday?
Who ever heard such nonsense? Well, there's one thing we can show,
Not politeness, but the door to you--Miss H. you'd better go."
So she went, but brought her action, and I'm thankful to relate
That when the case was argued she hadn't long to wait.
"Costs and judgment for the plaintiff, the defendants' case is
fudge,
Pay her monthly wage, she's earned it and deserves it," said the
Judge.
There be Englishmen in England, sleek men, and women too,
Who tie their purse-strings tighter than tradition's grasping Jew.
What care they for fellow-feeling, who for profit try to lure
Fellow creatures to their grindstone for the faces of the poor?
And they set some wretched slave to work her fingers to the bone,
Then sullenly deny her bread, or give at best a stone;
And after she has grubbed and scrubbed, they insolently sneer
At one who dares to ask for rest on L15 a-year.
* * * * *
[Illustration: "IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH, ASK A P'LICEMAN!"
_As Sung by the Not-quite-at-Home Secretary in his Unpopular
Entertainment._
WHY _DID_ MONRO RESIGN?
WAS IT ANY FAULT OF MINE?
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH--
ASK THE P'LICEMAN!]
* * * * *
"ASK A P'LICEMAN!"