The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-11-24
Confidant Of Joys and Woes.
A Woman Who Writes Letters for any
One on any Subject for Twenty-Five
Cents.
IN. Y. Tribune.l

woman whose occupation is the writing Of
letters for persons unable or unwilling to con-
duct correspondence for themselves, lives in
small brick house in Third avenue. She was
visited yesterday by a Tribune reporter. Over
the door is plain black and white signsin.
scribed, Letters written by lady," with no
name atrached, Ringing the bell, he was.told
to walk up" In a room on the third floor
he was met by woman fashionably dressed,
who inquired his business with an engaging
smile.
"I believe you write letters, do you not?
saw an advertisement to that effect" said the
reporter, seating himself.
"Yes. Do you wish me to write for you?
You look as though you might have education
enough YOURSELF said the woman, cycling
the reporter dubiously.''
"I wish you to write an invitation for me to
a young lady to go to Daly's tomorrow
In less than five minutes the following note
was ready, written in bold, clear and some
what lawyer-like hand.
'DEAR Miss Bit would give me great pleas
ure to have YOU attend with me the performance Of
Pins and Needles at Days Theatre tomorrow even
ing Yours respectfully,
- WI tQaL 0Og uuoTlcQ tno WElbcE uhuuluR
it to the reporter. 81 generally put in more
touching remarks, but as You did not ask for
them have omitted them
THAT will do very well. What is the
charger"
ter Of any reasonable length written for the
same price,"
DO you find the business lucrative at such
a small price?" inquired the reporter
"It is small, but then have great many to
l. ,~f kalra btoh hnat.,
as an amusement. I was left a widow with
out any means, but having a good education,
thought this was the occupation in which
there was the least competition. l sometimes
add fortune-telling to my letter-writing, but
that does not pay 80 well, as people are gradu-
ally getting over their superstitions. gener-
ally average from four to five letters day and
| have had as many as twelve, though not Of
ten."
"Of what class generally are your custom
ers?"
"Most of my business is done with women of
German and Irish nationality, although fire.
quently have customers who come in car
riages and who are dressed in the height Of
fashion-persons whose education has been
neglected and who have suddenly acquired
wealth."
"You must meet with great many sad Incl
dents"
"Yes, lido. Many come to me in tears and
get me to write to truant lovers and recreant
husbands. These require more or less of gush
in their letters. Then other letters must be
made fearful, as in the case OF an erring son or
drunken father. could tell you some in
teresting "reminiscences, were not pledged In
many cases to secrecy"
"You must have occasion to write great
many love letters?"
eyes; more than so per cent are letters OF
that description, and a hard time have some
times in fully understanding the destinations.
for many came to me who cannot speak En-
glish at all, or if any, of al very unsatisfactory
kind"
T suppose you have been the means Of max
ing q great many matches?'
"Oh, yes; and sometimes think it is quite
comforting to know that we have brought to-
gether persons who were languishing apart
from each other. I frequently write letters
for those who wish to remain unknown. FIRE.
quently they are people in good society"
At this moment q ring sounded from the
door-bell, and the letter-writer excused herself
for moment. On returning she said:
81 shall beg you to excuse me to-day, as 1
am requested by visitor to write letter on
love affair."
On the way down stairs the reporter met q
man coming up, looking like burly drayman
who was hurrying eagerly as il he had some
thing important on his mind.