Columbia gazette., 1854-01-28

The following story is none the less
amusing because it is hung upon ga
false fact" AIRS. Putnam, the lady
here referred to, never "adopted tht
profession of barber" or announced
herself as such to the public, any fur.
ther than by dressing ladies' hair, il
which vocation she exccls. Salem, Mass
Gazette.
FEMALE BARRIERS.
The New York Sunday Atlas tells
the following somewhat amusing story
ofthe new field to which female labor is
being directed:
Miss Caroline E. Putnam, of the
city Of Salem, Mass, has announced to
the public that she has adopted the pro-
fession Of barbar, and will take the
beard off gentlemen's chins at the rate
of six cents the mug.
Miss Caroline E. Putnam, of Salem,
is not the first female in the world who
has taken up the trade of barber
Some ten years ago, Madame jose
phine Courcey, the pretty, aye, beauti-
full wife Of French barber, who had a
shop at Chambers street, then called the
Granite Buildings, and known as the
Irving House, founl herself a widow
with some three or four children to sup
port. The husband had omitted to leave
her any money or other means, when he
died. The children were to be taken
care of, and Madame de Courcey was
not disposed to neglect them. She at
once resolved to keep up the shop, and
enact the part of barber. Her deter
mination was soon made known and ap-
plauded Every man of gallantry said
she was right; and every man who was
disposed to indulge in the luxurics of a
shave, called at her establishment. In
less than month she had four times as
many customers as she could attend to.
She therefore callod in the aid of Josef
du Boys, an agedSknight Of the razor.
Josef was good shaver, but nobody
wanted him about their chins, while
there was the least possible chance Of
calling the skill of Madame d'Courcey
into action. And how often would they
wait for hours, for an opportunity to
place their faces under the pressure of
her fair hands.
One bright and beautiful day in the
month of June, an aged citizen of the
West End, man of some five or six
hundred thousand dollars, and widow
er at that, was seen toddling down
Broadway. On reaching the corner of
Broadway and Chambers street, small
placard arrested his attention. Though
the letters were large, they were badly
printed, and the old gentleman found it
difficult to read them.
'IIey day! what does all this mean;'
he said, as he vainly attempted to de-
cipher the placard; What does all this
amount to''
And then he took out his specs,
carefully wiped them, and was enabled
to ascertain that Madame d'Courcey
would shave gentlemen!
Upon my word!' CALCULATED the old
fellow, 4 believe 1 did not shave today.
l ought to be shaved. / always shave
daily
And he passed his hand across his
chin, and was satisfied that he did re-
quire shaving. Into the shop he pop
ped, and found it empty.
Young woman said he, as he enter
ed, do you shave gentlemen:''
'Oui Momsierr,' was the modest re-
ply, and the old gentleman was welcom-
ed to chair.
He took it, threw his head back, was
lathered in a twinkling, shaved in no
time!
After the operation was concluded,
the venerable citizen was champoomed
and powdered, and he looked for all the
world like regenerated sinner.
my dear child,' said he to Madame
Josephine, 'it appears to me that this
business is not one that you ought to
follow. 1t exposes you, my child, to
danger and temptation. Woul3 you like
to marry;'
Madame Josephine blushed as none
but French woman can, and nodded
an affirmative
The next day the shop was closed
two weeks afterwards the papers an
nounced the marriage of the Hon II
ID to Madame Josephine de Cour-
cey. The happy pair made tour to
Niagara and Saratoga; the next winter
went to Italy and the south of France,
returned happy and contented, and are
now living in splendor in one of the
fashionable avenues up town.
We hope Miss Caroline E. Putnam
may be equally fortunate.
Happy is the man who serves God
and ovea his neiohhop nnfhin0