The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-09
Tho Ron Marche.
AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT FEEDS. SHELTERS,
ANp yprcATrs ITs EMPLOYEES.

r.
From the Fashion Courier.l
Almost every one knows this wonderful
dry-goods store OF Paris, but i think not
many know that II Is DeneVoient WORK as
well as n successful business undertaking.
NJ. Boucicaut, the founder, began lie as
poor bow, and when able TO have little
store OF his own his attention was directed
10 the welfare OF his clerks, and he gave
them. a. soon Us he was able, home IN his
own house. From this small beginning
the work has grown wonderfully. VI.
Rouccaut died few years ago worth mil
lions Of dollars, and to-day the Bon
Marche.v carried on by bis widow. en-
ploys 1900 people.
Two thousand OF these people live in the
building. and the 1000 take theft meals
there. The first thing TO be noticed bv
party making tour OF inspection OF this
great concern is a large hall filled with
desks. where a great many boys and young
men are studying bookkeeping. They re-
view all the books of the store, and are
paid n small amount for every mistake they
find. In the evening lessons are given
gratuitously to the employees in EngIish,
German, instrumental and vocal music, ana
fencing. Concerts are given by the STORE
IN summer in the square by the sidc OF tue
building: in winter on the ground moor,
which can be cleared by the portcrs IN
twenty minutes of counters and goods when
il is needed for that purpose or Tor balls.
There are four dining-rooms-one Tor the
men clerks. one for the girls, one Tor the
workwomen. and one for the pOIters, mes
scngers, and drivers. The dinner OF one
day consisted Of soup, one KIND OF meat
one kind OF vegetables, and dessert. ana
for each person "a half-bottle OF wine. Coz
fec is extra: il costs two cents Tor small
cup, and three cents for the large ones.
Three hundred people are employed IN the
kitchen and as walters in the dining-rooms.
The kettles are immense, three feet high,
and no man could meet his arms around
one OF them. OF course, when full and
hot they are beyond the ability Of man to
move, so puleyS are arranged, which lift the
kettles from the fire and place them where
they are wanted. For the clerks there Is a
room for amusement, where there are bill
liard-tabIes. chess, checkers, domnoeS, ETC.,
but no card-playing. The lady clerks have
a pleasant little parlor, where there is Il
piano. and where they can spend their eve
nings when they choose. Each girl has a
room entirely to herself, which is plainly
Dui very Comfortably lul hiNuNu. H'iN "iN
rules to be observed by all, but they are not
burdensome or oppressive. The doors are
not closed on weekdays TIL II and on Sum
days until 1890 at night; but the occupa-
tions and entertainments make if more en-
ticing to remain at home than TO go out.
Every one i'm the service OF the Bon
Marche" receives certain commission
on everything sold or delivered, and
after certain number OF years
service each acquires an interest in
the store that increases yearly. II is one
of the most complete works Of benevolence
known. 1t would be almost impossible TO
think Of any details that are not attended
10. There is barbcr-shop in the building
for the use Of employees; a physician is
employed by the store. and his services are
free to all; moreover, there is an infirmary
IN another part Of the city where those who
are sick are cared for; pair OF boots are
backed for every member Of the establish
ment every day. When asked if any board
is paid, the answer was No.; but sup
pose at least some difference is made in the
salary