The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-30
A FASHION WRITER.
THE STORY TOLD BY A paE-EM.
INENrLY SUCCESSFUL WOMAN.

iNENTLY SUCCESSFUL WOMAN.
A Rigid DiscipiinarIan in the Command
OF Her Own Forces OF Miud--fhe Be-
ginning of Business Career-wages
of writer's.
am blessed with the acquaintance OF q
woman who makes better income than
hundreds Of lawyers, doctors or business men,
and simply by scratching her clever pen. She
is preemnently successful woman. Young,
interesting, bright as a gold coin fresh from
the die, with face no man will ever forget
il he talks TO her ten minutes, and with all
her triumphs still preserving that intangible
touch of femininity without which woman
hood has no charm. Men whose names are
familiar as writers speak of her as one Of
themselves She is bonnie camarade with
out the faint OF bohemianism. She neither
cuts her brown hair short nor her gowns
scant She is woman of society, whose ac-
quaintance Is a favor to the man upon whom
she bestows it. There is not the faintest sug-
gestion of the blue stocking either in her man.
ner, dress or conversation Purely, sweetly,
completely, she Is a woman, with all the
CIClDlOooiiOnof
womanhood. Yet when business claims her
attention there Is no more rigid disciplinarian
than this woman In the command Of her own
forces of mind, and brain, and character. She
is woman who writes, whom everybody
reads, and who does her work well and con-
scientiously.
EARNING A LIVING.
She received her visitor In an apartment
which appeared TO hesitate in deciding
whether to become boudoir or a reception
room. A slender, graceful, girlish figure,
great eyes that fasten you with their inten-
sity. pure complexion, white with stu
dents pallor, and the smallest Of kid boots
peeping from under the hem Of a tailor made
gown. The charm was in listening to her,
for there was music in the cadences Of her
voice.
@Wil tell how began to writel With
pleasure
"Whenq
"Just six years ago. without any previous
training or experience, suddenly found that
would have to earn my living, and deter
mined to make every effort TO succeed. |
had no recommendations or introductions,
but went to the head Of a large publishing
establishment, and applied for something TO
do. l was asked all sorts of questions.
Could write anythingi And as IL was the
only specimen of my composition available,
produced letter had written. IL was do
cided to give me an opportunity, and then
the question OF salary was discussed. twas
settled that was to get $40 week. My
hours were TO be from a. m. TO 5 p. m, and
/ had one hour for luncheon.
1.-THE first few days spent looking around,
observing the other people at work and read
ing back numbers Of the magazine published
by the concern AT the end Of that time
wrote an article on tho very womanly sub
ject Of Fans Other work came into my
hands, and although when began scarcely
knew cashmere from camel's hair, deter
mined to learn the trade thoroughly, and to-
day know from the most practical proofs
that l am rated as ono Of the best fashion
writer's in New York. Before my first year
was up was earning 800 a week, and had
been shown, by their thoughtfulness for my
comfort, that the firm for whom I worked
fully appreciated my endeayors.
KEEPING BUSINESS HOURS.
aUntil change was made In my hours, 80
that might do great deal Of my work at
home, never failed TO be at my desk at a.
M, and TO this positive adherence TO work,
a rule against which many women complain,
and TO the fact that never broke an appoint
ment credit my reputation as a good bust
ness woman Then, too, l never forgot was
a woman, and for that reason men we're
always courteous TO me. / simply did my
work in the best way possible, spoke In the
frankest way, and made II an absolute rule
not TO lot social and business affairs inter-
mingle. ! have no home, but the imperson-