The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-02
a Queer Calling.

petite lady III n neat, though notice
ably plain attire, and carrying an arlnfu.
of books, brushed into an alcove in which
q reporter was seated at Mercantile Library
Hall, st. Louis, the other day. She begged
pardon, and began a hasty retreat, when
the newspaper man re demonstrated and argued
that the recess was common property. She
acquicsced in this liberal view, and after
deposting the volume seated herself within
a few feet of the only other occupant.
After quickly glancing over the title pages
OF half a dozen of the volumes the lady
drew notebook from her pocket, remark
ing that she had two hours task before
her. This fractured the CONCEALED water,
so to speak, ak.d conversation was
opened.
''These are all books on tho subject Of
writing letters, about which there is as
much ignorance, even in polite circles, as
there is about deferential circulars or the
contents Of the Koran. 1t has been en-
bodied in works on etiquette and cure-all.
books that contain something of everything
and nothing complete or absolutely correct
about anything"
'Have you directed especial attention to
it7"
"Well, yes, have, inasmuch as have
selected it to furnish the whcrcwith to keep
body and soul together, problem for
which find this following an intelligent
respectable and lucid solution. l am a
professional letter writer" From her
pocket she produced and handed to the re-
porter neatly inscribed card, with the
name, Aglae Beaumont, Letter Wliter.
''EIave you been located in this city very
long7"
81 have been here for two years. Pre-
vlous to then was in Chicago, Cincinnati,
New York, Brooklyn, Dubuque, Milwaukee
and number of smaller towns. In New
York there are half hundred persons do
ing this work, but in this city there is
scarcely any competition. The only other
person | know who ls professional letter
wliter is man at No. 7O1 Chestnut street,
and his business is really teaching pen
manship, though he advertises as letter
writer"
"What is the character Of patrons7"
''Thcy are of all stations OF life but really
can be divided into two classes those that
cannot write and those who are educated
but desire to frame their crude thoughts in
language with which they are not capable
of clothing it or else are particularly anxious
to be absolutely correct both grammaticallv
and rhetorlcally. Or course, one of the
first requisites Is to write an elegant and
very varied style of hand. The first is ab-
solutely necessary, while the great need of
the second quality will soon suggest itself
to any one adopting this queer mode of
making living.
"Do you devote your time exclusively to
letter writing?"
eyes. When 1 first began this work,
about five years ago in Cincinnati, also
did inscription work. writing cards, formal
invitations, family records in bibles, and
inscriptions in books, albums and similar
presents. Since then have found ample
remuneration IN letter writing"
'Wcll, there IS no market price rcgulat-
ing the sale, and might say that charge
from nothing at all for some work and up
to what you would consider q fabulous
price for more. The class of work you
speak of is alwayn done at bed rock prices,
of course, for the usual customers for this
are poor and uneducated persons. For
these no great care is required, and will
give them a letter for nothing or, If they
are anxious to pay and are capable of do
ing so, | charge them 26 cents, or some
nominal amount. You will readily con-
cclvc that this class of customers are not
greatly solicited, though must say that
have worked hours IN this way with the
utmost pleasure. Much of tho work | do
Is for young men and shop girls, and it is
needless to say that the correspondence in
these cases is all of the lovely stamp.
soon comprchended tho necessity of writ
ing bold male hand when [ embarked in
this calling, and can dash off on accurately
wordcd eplstle or write a neat, sweet love
letter in a hand that no expert in the
world could pronounce woman's These
letters are paid for in accordance with tho
ability of the customer. 1 have received
as much as $26 for q letter of this descrip-
tion, and usually charge So & Kp of any
length. Between % cents q the