Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-15
Anrinns Gentlewomen.

Harriet Cushman Wilkie writes under
the heading, ITO Anxious GentleWo-
men,. II was much interested IN the
abatement in q recent ChTc'udn that an
advertisement for some one to take charge
of a child obtained fifty answers.
II have suggestion LOT enPIoy Ilent
that NAV possibly be helpful to some one
of the disappointed forty-nine. 1t is not
an original idea, but it has proved so sue
oessful in a few instances that 1t IS worthy
of wide reading.
A lady having home-i. e., a roof 10
shelter here, but no income-became
anxious TO be selfsupporting and lnde,
pendent of her male relatives. She had
received fair education, was refined ana
cultivated, and moved in good. society.
But when it came to a question OF earning
bread and butter she had apparently no
marketable talents. Sac was neither
musician nor an artist, nor could she hope
TO secure situation to teach when tho
roughlv-trained teachers far exceeded the
demand. After much anxious thought and
MANY fruitless efforts TO obtain employ
ment in the regular avenues. this pioneer
discovered that she must strike out Tor
herself and in the line of her greatest capa-
bility. After some hesitation she adVer-
tised somewhat after this fashion:
"'A gsntlewoman who has few spare hours
would ike employment In good families. She Is
practically familiar with eyery Departments OF
housekeeping, and Is willing 10 DO any KIND Oh
work mat eister or daughter may ntiy under,
take. Compensation, twenty-five cents an hour
After few trial engagements scat
tered through as many days our gentle
woman. who possessed infinite tact and
adaptability, and proved in every case that
she was indeed gentle woman estab-
hshed such O reputation that her services
were in constant demand, and she was even
Obliged TO refuse applications. Let us
glance over q list of her varied employ
ments, some items Of which may prove
suggestive to others.
:" Helped lady who had spralned her
ankle prepare for conference: gave fancy
touches to guest chambers. put parlors in
holiday trim, got out the best table linen,
glass, china and silver, planned the dining
room arrangements, and acted as medium
between waitress and cook, seeing that
the Well-cooked dishes were served in
| proper order and with their proper accom-
paniments. The next day washed and put
away all extra table furnishings and
restored the house to its ordinary appear
ance. Packed trunks for O journey; put
away fannels, blankets, woollen rugs, etc.,
| for the summer: read an hour daily to an
old lady; spent two hours three times a
week with children Just recovering from
| measles, whose mother has many social
and literary engagements; every pleasant
| day took a delicate child, whose mother
/ is an invalid, out for an hour or two;
every Saturday morning taught plain sew
ing to class of little girls, and in the
afternoon chaperoned six Others TO park,
matinee, or some place of interest. Took
a motherless girl shopping and supervised
| the purchase of an outfit for boarding
| school. Arranged house and table for q
! chrysanthemum luncheon and supervised
the serving. Took sick child to the sea-
shore for O fortnight-mother unable to
| leave younger children.
And so the list runs on, touching the
many phases of our complicated social
| life.
I'm such efforts asthese for self-support
the employer reaps even more benefit than
| the employee. Indeed, in many cases the
relief experienced in being able to com
mand such service could not be measured
| by any sum given in compensation.
yet our gentlewoman was fairly paid
| for her time and labor, and while gaming
| independence was enabled to retain her
place at home.
1T would appear that every city and
large town would present field for such
| efforts. Such services are needed In many
families that for many reasons would not
desire to take a person as o permanent
member. On the other hand it gives the
person employed more liberty If not SO
much money to remain in her own home.
Il recommend the trial Of this scheme
to those anxious women whose abilities
and training lie within the home circle,