Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-21
A DYING TRADE.
The Art of Weaving Rag Carpets Fast Dis.
appearing.

appearing.
4 MoNG THE LOST ARTS. SUCH AS THE
n tempering of bronze. making flexible glass
and the manufacture OF Tyrian purple. we will
soon have to number another, namely. the
weaving OF rag carpets. 10 be sure. you can
still buy the factory made article but that is
not the sort that we associate with recollections
OF an old-fashioned room, with it's high post
bedstead. whitewashed walls. diamond. PANIED
windows and = claw-footed cheval glass
In the corner. In those days the rags
were cut and sewed by the fire in the long win
ter evenings, and often the carpet Was woven
on the old wooden loom up garrett. but usually
the material was sent to the old town weaver
who was as important parsonage as either the
butcher, the baker or the candlestick maker.
THE wEAvERs DISAPPEARING.
The old weavers are dying out through lack
OF patronage, but the other day n STAR re-
porter found where one still works down by
the watersde. II is a queer old one-story house
with squares and panels of carpet hung tapes
trywise over the front by way of advertise
ment The proprietor is little dried and
wlthered specimen, much bent hy stoopiug
over his loom. He came from the low coun-
tries III Holland nearly fifty years ago There
he was fax weaver by trade. but American
J.
and he has been carpet weaving ever since.
1t used 10 be good trade, he said TO THE
STAR man, but now it is dying ont. lie still has
work enough to keep hun. but Americans do
not use many rag carpets now; he sells the most
TO his own countrymen. He works twelve hours
a day, winter and summer. and turns out
about sixteen yards day. Weaving costs
twenty-five cents a yard. and he furnishes the
warp. If he furnishes the rags, too. il costs
about twice that. Bags of rags were standing
around under the shelves. and in one corner
was a pile of balls made from strips his wife
and children sewed at night.
The loom was the most primitive model
known; yet on one but little ruder the Navaios
make their famous waterproof blankets and
upon one but little better the Hindoo produces
the famous woven wind" of India. 1t was really
so ancient looking that il was disappointing to
find that il was built as late as 1855. The work
ing parts. from much oil and handling had
taken on the rich tints of seasoned meer-
schaum and the rest was smoke Drowned to a
deep sienna. With the background of dark
shadows and the bright warp threads running
through the center it made a study worthy of
an artist.
There are no longer any apprentices at the
trade. No one wants 10 learn hand weaving
now. The old man said the last pupil he had
was during the spinning-wheel craze several
years ago. One society girl came down and
insisted on learning to weave, but her enthus-
iasm soon gave out,and since then the old man
has had his trade to himself.
Why He Had Heard No Complaints.
From the Chicago Tribune.
The head of the firm had his feet on the desk
and was putting cigar when the young man
entered his Office in response to his call.
I've been thinking of you for a day or two.
Edward, he said, as he blew a cloud of smoke
toward the ceiling. Il think you are the only
employe in the Office that have not heard
complaint Of"
We'll, sir, I've tried"
The old gentleman held up his hand and
stopped him. Then he took a couple of puffs
at his cigar and went on:
when Bilkins was twenty minutes late one
morning heard of it promptly. When jerks
was out half an hour over time at noon was
told of it,
YES sir, L"
Il know" interrupted the old gentleman.
i've been informed of the shortcomings of
every one, with a single exception. and I've
been rather figuring the matter out
I've tried to be faithful and true to NV en-
ployer," said the clerk.
Yes, of course, and the man whose office
record is withouta stain should be rewarded
for it."
Thank you. sir. I've worked hard for adj
vancement"
Il know it," said the old gentleman, land
I've sometimes wondered at the contrast be-
tween the reports hear of your work and that
of others in the Office"
1T is gratifying. sir"
The old gentleman stopped him again.
Il have never heard a word said against
you." he said.
"Of course not" said the clerk.
And lind there is an excellent reason for
II, continued the old gentleman. as he took
his feet down from the desk and smiled pleas
antly at the clerk. Il was not told of the day
Jones did your work for you"
why. sir
Il discovered it accidentally, and il gave me
clue. The contrast in records. Edward. find
arises from the fact that you are the only tale
bearer in the office. The cashier will pay you
of, Edward. Good-day."