The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-18

CENTS.
New York Tribune.j
A woman whose occupation Is the writing
OF letters for persons unable or unwilling
to conduct correspondence for themselves
lives in small brick house In Third avenue
She was visited Yesterday by Tribune re-
porter. Over the door Is plain black-and
white sign Inscribed, Letters Written by
a Lady," with no name attached. Ringing
the bell. he was told to "walk up" In
room on the third floor be was met by
woman, fashionably dressed, who inquired
bis business, with an engaging smile.
81 believe you write letters, DO you not
I saw an advertisement TO that enect," saio
the reporter. seating himself.
eyes. Do you wish me TO write Tor
you3 You look as il you might have
enough education yourself" said the wo'
man, eyeing the reporter obviously.
81 wish you to write an invitation Tor me
to Young lady to 60 to Days tomorrow
night"
La less than five minutes the following
note was written 10 bold, clear, ana some
what lswyer-like hand:
"Dear Miss R.,-It would give me great
pleasure to have you attend with me the
performance OF "Pins and Needles " al
Daly's Theatre tomorrow evening.
"Yours, respectfully. -"
"Will that do?" queried the writer
banding il to the reporter. 81 generally
nut in more touching remarks, but as you
did not ask for. them have omitted them"
1Thst will do very well. What is the
charger"
"Twenty.6ye cents; and you can have a
letter OF any reasonable. length written Tor
the same price,"
"Do YOU find the business lucrative at
such a small price?" inquired the reporter.
alt is small; but, then, / have great
many 10 do. l assure you have not taken
u2 this business as amusement. was lett
a widow without any means, but having a
good education, thought this was the oc'
cupa,ion in which there was the least COM
petition. I sometimes add fortune.teline
to my iet,er.writing; but that does not pay
so well, as people are gradually getting over
their superstitions. l generally average
from four to five letters a day, and l have
had as many as twelve, though not often.''
"Of what class, generally, are your Gus
tomersf"
.sMost of my business Is done with wo
men OF German or Irish nationality, although
frequently | have customers who come II
carriages, and are dressed in the height Of
neutrality-suspicious. whose education has beer
neglected, and who have suddenly acquired
wealth."
"You must meet with a great many sac
incidents"
eyes, do. Many come to me in tears
and get me to write to truant lovers or re
cresnt husbands. These require more oil
less OF Tgush' in their letters. The Other
letters must be made fearful, as in cases o
an erring son or drunken father. coult
tell YOU some interesting "reminiscences
were not pledged in many cases to Sc
crecy."
"You must have occasion to write grea
many loye.letters."
"Yes; more than so per cent. are letters
OF that description, and hard time l. have
sometimes in fully understanding the desti
nations; for many come to me who canno
speak English at all, or ii any, OF very un
satisfactory kind"
81 suppose you have been the means o.
making a great many matches?"
sob, yes; and / sometimes think 1t |!
quite comforting to know that we have
brought together persons who were Ian
gushing apart from each other. ire
0uently write letters for those who wish Il
remain unknown. Frequently they arr
people in good society,""
AT this moment ring sounded from to-
door. bell, aud the letter.writer excused her
self for moment. On returning she said
Z" l shall beg you 10 excuse me to-day, as
am requested by visitor to write lette
on q love affair.""
90 the way down stairs the reporter me
man coming up, looking like burly dray
man, who was hurJying eagerly, as II N
had something important on his mind.