The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-22
ROUND ABOUT GOTHAM.
TALK OF TIE WEEK IN THE GREAT
METROPOLIS.
A Plague of Rats In the Produce Exchange-
Intellectual Efforts TO lie Kid Of the Pests
Increased Demand for Stenographers-
Fashions Tancies.
New YoRH BUREAU.
RICHMOND DAILY TINES.

February Il. loyl.
The Pied Piper, of HaiDlin town, would
find both occupation and liberal reward by
applying mt the Produce Exchange. mat
building il overTun with rats. and even the
interest the bulls and bears feel in the STOCK
quotations is trifing compared with
the interest the officers of the Exchange
exhibit in The various schemes that are pro-
posed 10 exterminate the rodents. so FAR all
efforts have been uuayailing, traps and poison
are useless. aud cats are being introduced
with the hope Shat they will be
mora effective. The samples OF rye,
corn. wheat and -four that are dmY
displaved on the tables Of the Exchange.
bring the rs,s from the storehouses aud docks
in the lower part of the city, ana they, lhaHe
life miserable for everybody connected win
the Exchange from the scrub women and
messenger boys 10 the superintendent. when
the business of the day j. over any one stand
ing in the visitors gallery will see the rodents
ut their games Some seem TO be dancing the
cotillon, others playing leap-ir9g. silli o,hei'
hide-and-seek They act as if they bad more
than n proprietary interest III the building.
aud the man who will disposcss them VIII re-
ceive handsome sum for his services.
DEMAND FOR srTSoGRAPHsRs.
The change in business methods in the past
decade has increased enormously the demand
fOr stenographers. They are now employed
in all sorts Of Offices railway. banks, brokers.
telegraph. and any business man who WISHES
10 have an equal advantage with ms rival
finds the service of stenographer lndlspeh,
sable. With the help of tins modern method
tine business man can do twice as much Wofh
and vet have moro leisure. The mail OF n
firm for instance that formerly required three
hours can now be done IN one, and these
two hours saved will expedite other matters:
Considerably moro than bait the force OF
stenographers in Offices are women HE
average salary for both men and women -
from sl2 to SO week The working hours.
TOO. are short, from 10 A. NJ. Ia j. NJ; 1he
Edison photograph II was ieaTen wonid maze
stenography a lost art, but the profession
have examined and tested il thoroughly. anu
the result is they have no fear Of It's ever sup
planting them. And ~ confirmation OF
their conclusion they quote the fact that Mr.
Edison has sold his rights IN the patent, ana
employs a stenographor in his own office.
FOR THE LADIES.
II is evident that the sheath skirt has come
10 stay for the spring and summer at all
events. even though having as rivals the some
what fuller bell skirt and the all-round Eng
Ish model almost always preferred by women
Of tall slender figure. The material COM
posing the sheath skirt may be slightly
draped without adding bulk because the ma
terial Tins treated are invariably soft and
pliahle But brOcades. satin and velvet
Stripes and similar tissues are never draped.,
Large sleeves of net are TO Toe worn IN six
dresses with a iabher of the same Tor the
skirt and pretty drapeTy Of II from the
shoulders 20 the point of the bodice. Effective
patterns come with chevlle dots that enrich
the design. Hand-wought nets in star and
rose patterns are handsome iOr sleeves and
parts Of bodices and French nets have inter
linked rings, flcur-do.hs, and spots OF velvet
Along the edges. Black lace hOunces and
draperies grow in favor for trimming silks OF
every description.
DR.. Julian J. Chisholm, of Baltimore, when
he inspected the Babylonish cylinders IN the
British Museum found from the iniaghos
cut on them that the street dress OF society
lady and a presumptve leader OF fashion IN
year $500 Is. c., had tight-htting bodice and
founce or accOldiOn-p leaied changing skirt.
such as hangs in most wOmens wardrobe to-
day. Moreover. the hat was high and IN
dress q general slenderness and length of line
was visiby sought, the Babylonian. Worth
having anticipated his French successor by
nearly four thousand years
Now that the round OF gayetles has come 10
a pause. il may be permissible To remark
while we rest and get ready 10 90 at II again,
that in the language of fashionable dress
maker we have lost some of our finest should
ers by pneumonia. 1t Is true we have cut
some Of our froc6s lower in the neck than
syer, apparently to make up for covering our
arms. The "N shaped corSage has slam Its
scores.and fifties
Nightgown satchets are now made square
and enormously large of scented quilted satin
covered with fine muslin, embroidered and
edged with lace, showing a monogram IN the
centre An open fan formed of card beard
covered with satin. trimmed with folds OF NIB
bon and lace Is a new idea. and II IS hardly
possible 60 have too much ribbon aud Lace ioI
his purpose.
Among the delicacios that are sent to rich
mans table 365 days in the year are lettuce,
mix, butter and fruits. in or out OF season
ihcse articles can be had, but dyspepsia often
cheats the man who pays for them.
Shades, screens and transparancles made Of
spun glass and loosely woven metal threads
admit OF the exquisite decoration 10y means of
net. web and silk yelling.
The prevalence OF very light-colorcd clothes
nd fine woods for street wear this spllng Will
le very marked. In addition 20 pilot, faced,
and ladies' cloth and the lighter Venetian
Qualities plain soft camei's hair Will be III
vogue. This has au unusually hairy and rough
looking surface, but IS extremely fine. light
aud supple. Lght-colorcd hats and bonnets
~ apricot, chamois. fawn, etc. VIII accompany
these costumes There will also again appear
ftylsh head coverings made of cloth matching
the gown; these largely in turban aud toquc
shapes, the long-pOpular toQue, however, still
iQking the lead.
The sailor hat hobs up sercnely among
spring novelties for head coverings, aud al
though IL cannot be heard 1t is sure to make
!.self felt.
Colarettes are now being made Of cocks
feathers.