Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-02-03
ODD AVOCATIONS.
How Some Enterprising New York Women
Make n Comfortable Living.

How Some Enterprising New York Women
Make n Comfortable Living.
woman who has seen better days
once had fine house of her own, and
the usual embarrassment of ic-a-brac
in her drawing-room, which she was
accustomed to arrange herself with ex-
quisite tastefulness. When the wolf
came to her door she begged one or two
of her former friends having fine man
sions to employ her in arranging their
drawing-rooms occasionally. With
their consent she began an industry
which has developed into a business.
Once Il month this lady-for she is a
lady-goes to the houses of her patrons
with her two assistants and supern-
tends the cleansing of the parlors, after
the furniture has been removed. and
then rearranges them in the most ele-
CANT style. If she finds certain articles
are needed to make the room attractive.
II la mode, she purchases them and
puts them in place. She also selects
articles of virtu, having consummate
tsste and Judgment in such purchases,
for which she receives u commission
from the merchant of whom she buys.
1t would seem possibly an extravaganza
to the reader to employ any one for
such purpose, but considering the
wrctched careless methods of servants
in New York. and the numberless arti-
cles of bric-a-brac now in vogue for
drawing-rooms, it is an economy and
not an extravaganza to employ woman
of discretion and carefulness to keep
them in order. And then our new rich
people do not know how to arrange a
drawing-room, and it is comfort to
them to hire some one who does know,
or, rather Il necessity.
Another lady. formerly wealthy
charges a good round sum per day fol
escorting ladies-strangers, of course
to the most eligible shops for purchasing
stylish garments. furniture, etc. Still
another lady acts as guide to the picture
galleries, museum and public amuse-
ments for ladies from out of town, who
write b.. her in advance.
For many years women have beer
employed by ladies of fortune to &C
abroad and make purchases for then
in Paris, London and Berlin; in short
to buy novelties at a cheaper rate that
they can be Purchased here and to be-
in advance of the modistes of New York
These (some of them) are ladies who
/ boast that they never wear dry good,
/ 1n snI in tbiG mari of thi nc
comes from abroad and if the trutl
were known from second and third
rate shops in the cities where thei
agent finds them. Shopping on com
mission has grown to be an enormous
business in New York One woman en-
gagged in it has an Office and clerks; sh
buys furniture, jewelry-in fact al
sorts of merchandise for her customer
in every State in the Union; has Who'll
wardrobes made up for ladies, fo
children and infants. and has purchase,
artificial limbs to order. There is
commission from those she buys for an,
from, yielding very good percentag
in this double arrangement
The last odd industry of women to b
mentioned here are the mending girls
who 90 from house to house to sew but
tons on boots and gloves, to darn stock
ings and linen, and to make repairs o
ladies' dresses, and to brush then
Such girls usually have engagement
for one day in the week for family
or lady, or, perhaps. half day. Lit
crary women and artists find the mend
ing seamstress very convenient an
economical. ~ Y Tribune.