Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-09-08
1uE STROUD INDUSTRY.
A Business Which Gives Employment 70
o,.r One Thousand New York Girls

nNaF One 1huushll Z
New York is the recognized head
ouarters for the clothing OF the dead as
we'll as of the living, There is nothing
about a shroud factory to indicate the
character Of the product. Even the
rows Of collins and enticing varieties oil
caskcts in the ware room below seem
10 belong 10 another business altogeth-
or. The show cases that are visible
from the head Of the stairs, with thelr
display OF the latest styles in shrouas'
appear TO have been left there, per-
haps, by some previous tenant ana
bear no possible relation 10 the use the
rooms arc being put to. 1t is very dill
fcult to imagine that these light heart
ed girls who chat so merrily over their
machines are turning out burial robes
BY the dozen, but such is the case ana
to them the work is no more doIorous
than the making Of shirts,
II YOU are curious, come with me 10
one Of the largest factories in the city
within a few blocks Of Cooper Union
in the Bowcry, and sec for yourself. As
the door Of the shop opens the noise Is
almost d~cafening. Between the clatter
Of the machines on the one hand and
the chatter Of the girls on the other,
one can hardly hear himself speak. 1t
is ten o'clock-early for US, perhaps,
but not for the girls. They have been
at work since eight, and one-Quartcr OF
their day has already been spent. In
the center Of the room is q double row
Of scwing-machines, varying in size
and power, and all fastened to two long
and narrow tables with little round
places cut in the sides, into which the
operators snugly fit. At the other end
Of the room are several counters form
ing a quadrangle. Within this square
sit a dozen young women chatting and
sewing, while a tall, middle-aged,
mothcrly woman ships out OF yards
upon yards OF black, white and brown
cloth patterns Of shrouds. Shrouds with
long skirts, and shrouds with no skirts
at all. Shrouds for the rich and shrouds
for the poor. And such patterns they
| are.
This elaborate design in white satin,
with soft ruching around the neck and
feecy ruflcs around the wristbands, is
modelled after a wedding-gown as ear
" as is possible considering the differ
ent use it is to be put to. 1t will grace
the funeral Of some rich patron Of a
fashionable undertaken. This plain
black garment, with a false shirt bosom
and a collar which ties behind with a
cord, is patterned after an evening suit.
1t is intended for a man Of middle age,
and costs quite as much as a suit worn
in life. Besides these there are robes
Of brown and combinations Of brown
and black, some faced with satin, some
with silk, and others plain ever 10
severity, These form the cheaper
grades Of goods, and are worn by men
or women Of advanced years, The
white-robes are all intended for the
young. Some Of these are marvellous
pieces Of work, and, if embroidered by
hand would cost a small fortune. This
little gown would hardly reach from
your hand to your elbow. The tiny
neckband is rufled and tied together in
front with a white satin bow. The lit
tie sleeves are covered with embroid-
cry and the skirt is deliberately trim
med with lace. 1t is a baby shroud,
and IS the smallest size that is made,
The styles in shrouds arc continually
changing. Every fashion used by the
living contributes to the robing of the
dead. Each large factory has its spc-
cial designer, and not even death can
still the competition between them
n. Y. Letter.