Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-16
A PAYING PROFESSION.
Many Reduced Gentlewomen Earn Living
by Hair-DressiDg.

ny
Correspondence OF the Dispatch)
NEW YORK, December s.-Some one
told me yesterday that any number OF
clever, well-bred women were earning
very respectable incomes by following
the profession of dressing hair.
At first blush, 1 could not believe IL
10 be either lucrative or enduring as
permanent employment, but investigation
developed some interesting and valuable
information on the subject. 1t appears
that these piri-pattic hair-dressers Sc
cure the patronage of a restricted num-
Der of ladies, and work them for their
cliental only. They form season engage
ments, and where a patron keeps her own
personal maid, they visit her twice Il
week. The dressers' duties include snam-
pooling the head, preserving the perfect
condition of the hair. Tie work Is
neither tedious nor unrehning, and many
wealthy women are willing and do pay
good prices for this luxury in the morning
or late afternoon hours.
Some OF these hair-dressers have fully
six hours Of each day regularly engaged
by their customers. They carry about
small case, containing healthful tonics
and fragrant washes. OF course. eacn
lady keeps her individual combs and
brushes.
The dresser spends an hour at each
huuse, charging $50 for a visit. So.
busy women, therefore, who can put in
60 hours q week Is able TO command an
income of 50 a day. an eminently re-
spectuable revenue for any one to earn.
THOROUGH BRUSHING.
In discussing the details of her calling
one bright worker remarked that few
people appreciated the imperative neces-
sity OF thoroughly brushing the hair at
least twice day-not mere surface passes
which allow the bristles to glide over the
head, but elbow grease judiciously applied,
leaving a glowing scalp and oach strand
freed of dust and dandruff. There Is no
other tonic that changes roughened, un-
kept hair into the desired FURNISHED con-
ditlon that bespeaks care and not crimp-
ing irons. A rigorous adherence to this
rule is as necessary for health in n
woman's HAIR as the currycomb TO the
horses sides.
Many Of my friends" she continued,
employ me solely for that. | spend the
whole hour scientifically brushing the
hair Taking as much care with the back
| OF the neck as the bang.
| Brushes are best when the pig bristles
are NtIJ SNDlk. no lIANND A~ss3 AAAt5 ~
! TO gather the dust.
/ These hair-dressers never shampoo ths
/ hair over once IN two months. Oitensr
than this IS apt TO prevent the accumula-
! ton OF oil necessary. Ammonia and
! vaseline. as 50 many women use IT, are
| injurious. The first assists the dust N
clinging, and the latter scorches the hail
numerically. Peroxide Of hydrogen, II
sparingy used, provides an additional
! brightness that IS attractive on light hair
1T COSTS LITTLE TO LEARN.
| These hair-dressers tell me their work
| IS the result only OF experience. All in
quire of the druggist as 10 good tonics
Some take Lessons in new fashions OF
building up the hair ssmi-annadlly. But
Of actual capital required there Is none.
Whenever new Undertaking for womer
calls for u good bank account to star
with, advice as to its being followed /.
doubtful Of general adoption: but wher
patience and some skill are the only requi
site qualifications. it seems a wise thing
70 urge that women who are seeking work
! and giving their time to uncertain voca
tons, would do wei 10 try this There
is LITTLE doubt that the experiment would
be a success. Ii. HALLMARK.