The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-22
WILCOX & GIBBS.


out good company And, lastly, why should she
be expected to consult the feelings Of mistress or
others? Did they consult hers? and were not her
rights as sacred as theirs7 They had gone their
way all summer while she was left In waiting, and
she would have her way now-long enough, atleast
TO teach mistress the art Of sef-government under
provocation-though it did cost the peace OF the
household
'Witn these exalted ideas in her head, it was
often, as you will readily believe, difficult task 70
keep Miss Double-thread at her work; and what
work she did, was sometimes so badly done that
was obliged to take it all out-a distressing job-and
do it over by hand And these dhicuties were so
frequent and troublesome that, choice OF evils,
did large portion of my sewing in those days
by hand, without calling on Miss Doube-thread
at all.
"Of course my patience was often sorely tried and
as often wondered If there could be no remedy.
At length relief came in the person of Miss WILCOX
Gibbs young seamstress Of singular virtues and
rare accomplishments, but so unassuming that |,
like many others, was at first inclined to doubt her
qualifications After a little delay concluded to
give her trial; and the result so satisfactory
that soon discharged Miss DOuble-thread, and
invited Miss willcox.Gibbs to occupy her place.
which she has done ever since to my entire satsfac-
ton.
''The name and fame OF the Misses Wilcox Gibbs
Uhey are now numerous family are already spread
far and wide, and they have little need of recon-
been such excellent help, and feel under so great
obligation to her. that esteem privilege as well
as duty to speak a good word for the family. |
have already Influenced several Of my lady friends
and acquaintances to make the exchange that did,
and the result has in every instance been equally
satisfactory Indeed it could not well be otherwise;
for the Misses Gibbs all alike, and what is per-
fecon with me, must also be perfection with Others.
1t is sowith the Misses Doublethread There may
be general family resemblance, but in action and
| temperament they differ as widely as servants OF
different natioDalitles. In fact, you never know when
you select Double-thread seamstress what you
| getting-til1syou have proved her.
"But the Misses Wilcox Gibbs. as / said before,
| are all exactly alke-at least they are so per-
sonaly; the only difference is in their dress. You
| certainly could not distinguish them by any differ
| ence in size, form, features action; in capacity
or disposition; by the quality of their work, nor yet
by their tOicel In the faculty last named they
quite peculiar; indeed, their conversation is always
in whisper, and so low not in the least to disturb
| the conversation of others.
''While on the subject of changing seamstresses,
want to add that the practice is becoming quite
mon in the circle Of my acquaintance; and am told
that very considerable portion Of the applications
received for the services of the Misses Wilcox
Gibbs are from ladies who have previously employed
| one of the Misses DOube-thread.
"As to my own experience with Miss Wilcox
| Gibbs, can say that, soon as she was fairly
! in few days had our wardrobe in complete order; ;
andNit has never been otherwise from that day to
this period of nearly years. In all that time
she has not given the slightest occasion for reproor
| Nor has she had one fit! Indeed, am not aware
that she has ever been ill for moment. Certainly
we have had no doctors bills to pay for her. which
| is q fact OF some Importance in her favor COM
| pared with any seamstress of the Double-thread
| family that have employed. The amount of
bills we paid for our Miss Lockstitch, on account Of
surgical aid and medical advice, was truly frightfu
don't know the exact sum, but think it exceeded
| the value OF all the work she ever did for us.
81 have, however, somewhat more to say of Miss
! WicoX-Gibb She minds her own business, has
no company, and is always ready for duty. When
ever we intend making journey scarcely have to
/ let her know it-and every garment needed is found
ready at the appointed time So also on our return,
the watchful eye and ready hand go almost in
stinctvely to work. and the family wardrobe is again
put in order-often long before our other servants
| get fairly broken in.
| miss WHlcoX-Gibbs has also peculiar faculty
| for making friends. If, on being introduced at
place, she happen to meet with a cold reception
| as she sometimes does, on account of the preju
dices which those in the interest of the Misses
Doube-thread are active in disseminating-t never
discOncerts her, and she never fails to dispel that
i prejudice on a very slight acquaintance. Her quiet
lady-lke and winning way OF receiving and treating
strangers, has the effect to put every il
|
dren. When not otherwise employed, she Otter
amuses them by making frocks and aprons for the
dolls and no matter how roughly they use her. she
never gets out OF temper, becomes otherwise unf
for instant service when her mistress calls.
'She is also on intimate terms with the feeble anC
the aged, who find in her an agreeable companion
and sympathizing friend. She never has any dim
Guilty with the other servants and doubt if she ha
an enemy in the world. Even the Misses Lock-sttch
and all the other members of the Doube-threat
family-though professionally her rivals, person
ally her admirers if not her friends. My own Miss
Lock-stitch used often to say:-'What charming
little seamstress Miss WILCOX Gibbs is If she only
had another string to her bow-so that she could e
into nrst;class society-how delighted I should b(
with her company! !! And though did not then ap
| preciate her admiration OF Miss WllCOX-Gibbs no
being acquainted with her myself, could not hell
saying, in half-jOking way, Never mind, my dear
you may see the day when you will wish that yoT
had one string less TO y0ur bow -