The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-08-15

AI4 AH"-8AH|H
The Ron Marche and Louqre are The
happy hunting grounds Of american
shoppers. The Louvre ehey perhaps
know best, it being nearer their Paris
haunts, and reputed more chic Bntthe
Bon Narche is not neglected, since 20
English Interpreters with difficulty suf-
fee.
Both houses have free medical attend
apce, salesvomen receiving for confne-
ment from the Bon Marche s20s work
women, $12. Savings of employees are
received by the Bon Marehe to the
amount Of $500, with interest at 6 per
cent: by the Louvre to the amount Of
ST 900 at 4 per cent. Both have pension
systems, the Bon Marche putting on
the list last year A men and women.
They receive from s12O to $500. Tho
Louvre manager recently declared that
he expected to abandon the system, the
pension being, in his opinion, either in
sufficient or unnecessary.
In 1876 M. BoneiCanb set aside a cap
ital which is to-day s42s, $50. Employees
who have been with the house partici-
pate in the earnings Of that sum. These
participants benefit in the entire earn
ings of the house according to their po-
sition and years of service. Language
classes were started by Mr.. Boncicant,
the best pupils being sent abroad to
perfect themselves at the expense Of the
Bon Marche. Since the death Of Nine.
Boncicant the Bon Marche has been adj
ministefed by 3 directors and a
counsel Of Is chosen from the heads OF
departments. The management con
tinues the charitable tradition, more,
perhaps, for advertisement than for
love.
Every afternoon at $3.50 one may visit
the kitchens of the Bon Marche, the din
ing-rooms and rooms rented to pnmar-
ried women The Bon Marche feeds
all its 1920 employees. The Louvre feeds
many, but not all. On entering the Bon
Marche kitchen one first remarks the
9 enormous boilers, 3 of them holding
excellent soup. Next, gridirons, cap
able of boiling at a time 300 steaks; a
stove for the cooking of eggs; 10000 be-
ing used when omelet is served. There
is also an ingenious arrangement for
the frying of 600 kilograms of potatoes.
Coffee is made in a separate kitchen;
800 liters may be had in 40 minutes
The grounds are sent to the poorhouses.
Each of the 4,2OO employees is entitled to
two meals a day. For breakfast. meat
there being a choice-vegetables and
dessert. For dinner, the same, with the
addition of soup and salad, no matter
what the season. The men are given O
half liter of wine Or q bottle of beer at
each meal, but the women are not linz
tied. Those of the men employed i've
ing in The house-rooms being rented
to unmarried men-are served sour for
a first breakfast. All women employees
have a right to soup, coffee or chocolate.
Drivers end d~eliverers have three full
meals a day. Afte- the kitchens, the
stables are shown. q delight for all
those who suffer at the misery Of the
Paris working horse. The Bon Marche
ard Louvre horses are the sleek bour-
geois Of the Paris animal world. Last
are shown the rooms rented to unmar-
ried women These bear the marks of
philanthropy. Though good sized and
well kept, one feels that the renters are
inmates.
Shopping in these large establish
at first seems impossible. One Is be-
wildered by the extent, but If not bar
gain day it is verv easy with a 'tnu-
nero" A "numerc' is a numbered
card on which are detachable slips.
each bearing the number. At each
purchase the clerk takes a slip and
pastes it to his check. The shopping
finished n may pay at the desk or on
delivery. An American with much
shopping, even though speaking
French, does best TO take an inter
prefer. One meets with more con-
%sideration, and it is great saving Of
time and strength to be led in so inn
mense an establishment from one coun-
ter to another by the shortest route.
Neither the Bon Marche nor the
Louvre gives credit, but if one is known
ones purchases are delivered and the
bill presented later. In busy seasons
the Bon Marche sometimes waits a
month before making collection. The
Louvre is less confiding. When one is
unknown payment must be made on
delivery. But if one is dissatisfied with
purchases it is only necessary to send
a postal card asking that the article
be taken away and the money returned.
To shop on bargain day even with
a "numero" is to endanger n S life.
One may rise with the sun, thinking
to be the first at The doors, but hun
dreds are before, all ready to endure
physical hurt if they may buy a flower,
ribbon, glove or nightgown for a few
cents less. Yet it is a Paris sight, and
the tourist who would see all must run
/, the risk-only let him or her be dis
! tinctly labeled that the end be not the
! morgue. IN. Y. Times.
. Fish in Desert Wen.
The statement has been frequently
: made that many of the new artesial
4