Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-02-03
WOMEN AT WASHINGTON.
How Many of Them Make an Easy and
Comfortable Living.

Comfortable Living.
According to the most reliable figures
available, there are about 90, 900 more
women in Washington than men. The
fact of it being the seat of Government
very naturally attracts scheming wo-
men and adventuresses. The schem-
ing ones are not necessarily all women
of the vicious and immoral class.
Schemers can move in the best circles.
Many woman comes here because she
imagines it is a good place to win n
husbands; others think they can get
employment, and still others who have
little money manage to make friends
among the residents, and they pass a
winter in tho hope of getting into So
ciety. 1t has always been mystery
how many of the females known to be
honest and respectable manage to live
here. 1t is an expensive place, but
they manage to keep up appearances.
They have nearly all been reduced
from some higher sphere. Many Of
them are the wives or daughters of
men who have been in Government
positions in the army or navy, or per-
hnps in Congress, and have died leav-
ing nothing for their families. Some Of
those who have been so reduced have
trod the highest walks of social
cminence. Those of more COM
mon-place qualifications have surren-
dered their social position and opened
boarding-houses or gone into the de-
partmonts, There is an cX-represen-
tative still alive here in Washington
who has two daughters in one of the
departments. Employment sought by
accomplished ladies of reduced
circumstances is that of chaperone
to young people. A cha perone is
very important attachment for young
people in Washington society, and
one it is not always easy to get.
1t is embarrassing, and besides,
generally inconvenient for mammas
to have to sit in the corner or against
the wall and nod while their fair
daughters whirl in the waltz and
tread tho mystic mazes that lead to
premature old age. An amiable chap
erone, who will go with the girls to the
theater, to balls and parties, and where
not, is cheap at most any price, and
can find plenty to do profitably. OF
course they do not advertise: WANTED
"A situation as chaperone." Nor do
they ask Mrs. Pennyharvest if she does
not want to hire chaperone with long
experience and good references. Not
at all. 1t all comes about very natur-
ally. The lady is so accommodating and
Mrs. Pennyharvest is SO grateful that
it all comes to be understood. An
other occupation of fashionable ladies
of reduced circumstances is that of
reading to invalids and entertaining
them with all the small talk of the day.
All these means are resorted to by
ladies who have by some misfortune
been thrown upon their own resources.
Some perform these services openly,
with no pretense at concealment of
their necessities. Others manage to
keep their occupation secret between
themselves and those they serve, each
patron thinking that she is the only
one favored. Washington is place
for the cultivation of clever women,
and they are found living upon their
sharp wits in all the walks of society.
Many do thriving business in the
"lobby." There is one young girl,
who is about the capitol every winter,
who is said to make large income
from her practice before the House,
Cor ST. Louis Republican.