New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-11
A TALKING BUREAU.
THIS IS no FAIRY FICTION. BUT A LIVING
PIECE OF FURNITURE.

THIS is no FAIRY FICTION. BUT LIVING
PIECE or FURNITURE.
TO the Editor Of Tho Trlou mo.
Sir: dare say most Of your readers are acquainted
with Tennyson's charming poem, "The TALKING O""'
but doubt II many know-thOugh some do from eA-
perience-that we have in our city still more
curious phenomenon, a talking bureau. one might
but must not infer that the bureau had been con-
structcd from the famous oak. Strange as II may
SEEM this unique bureau is found In n certain we'll
known Intelligence Office By the way, 1t strikes
those who unfortunate as to be obliged to visit
these Offices that greater msnomer could not be
found In view OF the infneslmal amount OF intel
lgence informstlon Which can be extracted from
most OF them. They seem to exist for the express
purpose Of knowing nothing whatever OF the needs
which they supposed to supply as Is the case with
the aforesaid bureau
Does pcrpexed and anxious housekeeper
Invade its precincts in search OF do
nestle tyrant also mlsnamed servant she meets
a chilling reception. indeed The lofty being who Is
the visible incarnation OF the marble hearted bureau
nothing soft and piabe wood can enter into Its
construction, l am surcpermtS, only after prolonged
waiting. her stony gaze to rest upon the features Of
the submissive and humble applicant, who feels that
she is strenng into stone herself under the gorgon
glance, while she falterngly uters her requests. H.
then her demeanOr has been sufficiently humble she
Is graciousy allowed to interview one or more OF tho
waiting tyrants: but should she in her tcmerty
venture to ask the being OF the stony gaze for
little understanding in the nature OF refer
concerning the person who may have In her
power the lives and property of the household-she
Is wtherngy told that the bureau does not concern
itself with such matters.
In fact this Intelligence Office Is only place
where employed and unemployed may meet at certain
hours, learn what they OF each other and pay
well for the privilege. No attempt Is made to learn
the qualifications Of those who offer their services
to meet the needs OF employers.
A young woman, just married, beginning house
keeping in n small but new and charming apartment,
with the dantlest Of Furnishings applied a few days
TO the Office I'm question for well-trained apd eA
pcnenCcd maid for her small mcnage and was told
with lofts scOrn that the bureau did not concern Itself
with general hOusewOrk servants. The young house
keeper had been accst med TO every luxury and atcn
ton In ler fathers house and her husband Is abnnd
guty able 10 employ the average number OF servants
but Ike the sensible girl that she IS she prefers TO
enjoy herself the OF her exquisite silver cut
few burdens a. possible. So with bow and an
No dorbt the presiding genius Of the bureau Is a
princess in Disguise. and her proud spirit is CALLED BY
the necessities Of the place which she occupies but
such airs the marks OF true lady in any place. or will
they in any elevate her In the OF those who
are such
Bureau indeed A riclety washsand second
hand umbrella would be ornamental and delightful
pieces OF furniture In comparison. JUMPER.
Ncw-NOrk, April A. 1892.