The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-14
The Bon Marche."

I A Fairs correspondent of the Boston Iauo
elerl writes: This afternoon we have been tC
the bon Marche." Almost every one knows
that wonderful store, but | think not many
know that-it is an admirable benevolent work
as well as successful business undertaking
| we were In the readingroom of the store
this afternoon, when a gentleman entered
anu oHered to show the household and bust
ness parts to as many as were curious. This
o[fer IS made every afternoon about 3 O'Clock
Mr. Boucicault began life as poor boy, and
when able to haye little store of his own his
attention was at once directed to the welfare
OF has clerks, and he gave them, as soon as he
was able, q home in his own house. From
this small beginning the work has grown
wonderfully. Mr.. Boucicault died a few years
ago worth millions OF dollars, and to-day the
bon Marche, carried on by his widow, en-
ploys 1000 people.
Two thousand of those people live in the
building and the 5000 take their meals there.
we were first taken to a large hall filled with
| desks, where great many boys and young
men were MISUNDERSTANDING. They have
the benefit OF reviewing all The books OF the
store and are paid a small amount on every
mistake they ind. In the evening lessons are
given gratultously to the employees in Eng
llsh, German, instrumental and vocal music,
ana fencing. Concerts are given by the store,
IN summer, in the square by the side OF the
pulldlng III Wlnteron the ground tioor, which
can De cleared by the porters IN twenty min
utes OF counters and goods, when IL is needed
LOT that purpose or balls.
There are four dinlng-rooms-one for the
men clerks, one tor the glrls,one tor The work
women, and one 1or tue porlers, messengers
and drivers. The menu for dinner we saw :;
IL consisted OF soup, one Kind VI meat, one
KIND or gatables and dessert, and tor each
person half bottle of wine. Coffee is extra :;
IL costs two cents tor SMALL cup, and three
cents for the larger CUES. The kitchen was
very interesting. Three hundred people are
employed there as walters i'll The dining rooms.
The Kettles are perfectly immense; they must
he certainly three feet nigh, ami am sure no
man could meet his arms around one OF them.
vi course, when they are full and hot, they
are beyond the abillIy or any man to moYeso
pulleys are arranged which lit the kettles
from The lire ana place them Where they are
wanted
For the clerks there is room for amuse-
ment, Where there are billiard tables, chess,
checkers, domlnoes, etc, but no card playing
is allowed. Ihe lady CLERKS have also pleas
ant little parlor, Where there Is piano and
where They can spend their evenings as they
choose. Each Gull has room entirely to her
self, which Is plainly furnished. 1nere are
AoiSo w oC OOoCANCu dill, Uub tucy are uOb
DHrdensome OF oppressive the doors are not
closed on week days until eleven, and Oh Sun
day until 1880 AT night; but the occupations
and entertainments must make it more en-
tlclng 10 renialn AT home than to go out.
Every one Ill the service OF the bon Marche"
receives certain commission on everything
sold OF delivered, and AFTER u certain number
OF years service each acquires an interest in
the store thai increases yearly. 1t seems to
me this Is the most complete, most beneficial
work OF Denevolence that l have known Ii
would lie almost Impossible to think OF any
details thai are not attended TO. There is a
BARRIERS shop in the building TOR the use OF
employees; physician is employed by the
store and his services are Tree " ali moreover,
there is AN intlrmary In another part of the
city Where those who are SICK are cared for;
indeed, pair OF boots is BACKED for every
member OF the establishment every day. wei
asked If any board was PAID, and the answer
was mo; but suppose AT least some differ
enCe is made in the salary