Mr. Togo: Maid of all Work

"Mr. Togo: Maid of all Work" by Wallace Irwin is a humorous fictional work written in the early 20th century. The story is narrated by Hashimura Togo, a Japanese servant employed in various American households, where he shares his comical experiences and observations about the peculiarities of domestic life. The book explores themes of culture clash, the eccentricities of the American middle class, and the quirks of household management through Togo's unique perspective. The opening portion introduces readers to Togo's first job with Mrs. Hirem B. Bellus, a rather demanding woman who is particularly obsessed with cleanliness and her new vacuum cleaner. After being hired at a low wage, Togo reflects on his understanding of housekeeping and his eagerness to learn how to use this unfamiliar technology. However, a comedic mishap occurs when he accidentally vacuums a $20 bill that Mrs. Bellus left unguarded, leading to his resignation and the start of another misadventure. This sets the tone for the ongoing humorous escapades Togo will experience throughout the book as he navigates various jobs and the quirks of the families he works for.