Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-22

without doubt, the very best Endorsement
of this world renowned institution
How many women have you here?"
we inquired.
More than half the number are wo-
men,"
How does their work compare with
that done by men? Do you find them as
useful and reliable?" we ventured to ask
Il havn't a particle of fault to find
with our female employees interrupted
Mr.. Harper. 8 We have here some of the
very best women in the world. They
work hard and well. There is only one
annoyance about our ladies. They will
get married, and then, Of course, they
don't work, or at least they don't expect
to, although l am sorry to say many are
disappointed, and come back to US after a
while. We shall lose a good many this
Fall, have no doubt; we do every
Autumn"
The loss Of James Harper Is still very
keenly felt in the establishment. When
asked one day by writer of some note
what his particular business was in the
concern, he replied with smile
"That would be hard to tell; 1 see to a
great deal; but one thing l am always
bound to do, even if business drags for the
time being, and that is to furnish some
sunshine for the establishment. Our hands
sometimes get tired and discouraged. |
assure you, and it is glorious to see how
they brighten up at few kind words. l
mean that all the men and women who
work for US shall feel as if they had home
in business hours at least"
In some institutions the loss of such a
man would be irreparable, but we are
ready to believe that this is not the case
here. The "boys" all seem to be tread
ing in their honored relativ's footsteps,
and the old gentleman are pieces cut from
the same glorious fabric as their late bro
theirs. James and Wesley.
Stepping out of the Office we are con
fronted with shelves and counters all filled
with books-school books, Sunday-school
books, periodicals, novels in cloth and
paper, library editions, every style Of mat
ter and binding possible to conceive Of
The cases or shelves referred to are used
for the purpose of exhibiting specimens Of
the books which the house publish, as a
sort Of guide to booksellers and library
collectors in making up their orders.
There is comparatively little retail bUsi-
ness done in this establishment, and this
little is carried on out of courtesy and
convenience to individual purchasers. On
the sides Of this room Is a double block or
tier of bins, built from the floor to the
ceiling, to furnish hiding places for the
books. This is two stories high access
to the upper story being obtained by means
of gallery. The back part of this room
is used for the purpose of filling orders for
books, packing them in boxes or bundles,
mailing the subscribers copies Of the maya
zine and papers, and keeping a general
account of such outgo. Here everything
is systematic and orderly the business
being conducted by those who thoroughly
understand its management. One very
noticeable feature of this enormous con-
cern IS its wonderful quiet, thus contrast
ing very favorable with other institutions
Of lighter caliber.
The first two stories above the basement
form the enormous
PRESS ROOM FOR B00k-woRK.
Here are contained thirty-seven book
presses. These presses are fed by females,
whose nimble fingers keep the jaws Of
their monster charges continually filed.
1t is strange how custom uses one TO the
apparently unapproachable. Many of
these wamen were timid-looking little crea-
lures, who, had fortune allowed. would
probably have shrunk from the noisy ma
chinery in terror, instead of presiding over
| it. as now. To our unaccustomed eyes
the work seemed far filter for strong limb
ed, daring man but after watching the
easy manner in which the gentle sex ac-
cepted the horrid din, crashing rollers, ect.,
and the quick, modest way in which they
dispatched their duties, we concluded that
had Venus only lived in these progressed
days, Vulcan would have beguiled her
forthwith into his smithy, making her not
only a social, but. a business partner.
Think oft!
''vENUs AND VULCAN, BLACLsMITHs -
Such firm the Messrs. Harper have
shown to be not at al an unattainable
affair.
The foreman's Office is an elevated com
partment, from which he can observe the
movements Of all his assistants, and in
case of accident, or machinery trouble, be
close at hand to prevent complications or
embarrassments.
THE FOLDING ROOM.