The record-union., 1896-06-07

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it is thoroughly cleaned and ready for
the dyeing process. The only secret in
the dyeroom, probably, is the compo-
sition of the dye itself, for the process
is not dissimilar to that seen in dyeing
establishments every day.
While this process is going on in the
dyeroom the first operation has COM
menced on the cushions-that Of max
ing fine stitched hair edges all around
them. The edges being completed and
having been examined regarding the
workmanship the first operation as
completed.
The cushion is then passed on to other
Workmen, who start on what is termed
putting in white or second stuffing--
the finest hair being used for the pur-
pose. If the renovated hair, or that
which has been run through the hair
picking machine is found to be of too
poor quality for this class of work, it
is laid aside for inferior work and new
hair takes its place. This part of the
work must be correctness itself, as each
seat must correspond with the others
in every detail. After the hair has been
worked in to form one solid piece, at
the same time being distributed equally
over the surface, it is covered with fine
sheeting, which is tackled at the bottom
edges and neatly stitched along the
top edges. This completes the second
operation.
After another thorough inspection the
cushion is passed on to the covering
bench, where it goes through it's last
ordeal-that of being covered with
plush, of which there are divers colors
and patterns, the finer grades of which
are of French and German manufact-
ure and imported at great expense.
Some idea can be formed Of the cost
of upholstering the cushions of a first
class sleeper, when it is understood that
it requires no less than two hundred
yards of plush for covering purposes:
seventy yards of plush silk; eight to
nine gross Of plush tufting buttons;
three hundred and fifty pounds of the
finest and best quality of hair procura
bic; twenty-five pounds Of tacks; eight
pounds of stitching twine and num-
berless yards of duck burlap and fancy
upholstery trimming, which secures for
the traveller in these cars the most lux
urfous ease and comfort, and at rhe
same time surrounds him with some of
the fastest of art creations
AT one end of the car a StaterOom is
fitted out in which a party of six can
be accommodated with ease and which
has all conveniences for long-distance
travellers, and is furnished somewhat
differently from the main part of the
car. The colorfng is of a separate
shade, and there is large sofa, white
lambrequins above the windows, silk
plush curtains over the doors and par
titions, as well as a private lavatory
and all the comforts to be found in a
first-class hotel
AT the extreme end of the car Is a.
smoking room furnished with large,
soft sofas and lounges and finished in
different kinds of wood, oak being best
adapted. A different color of plush is
also used and it is here that corks pop
and money is spent. The walls are fin
ished in delicately carved oak, and the
panels are usually of embossed leather
the whole being a miniature palace
worthy of king or an American citi-
zen. Silk plush lambrequins cover the
windows, and the large glass panel in
the door is provided with a light silk
draw curtain, and when fully equipped
very few smokers eau resist the fasci-
nation Of the apartment
One important part of a sleeper, al
though never seen during the day as
O rule, is the bedding. When evening
shadows fall and the traveller can no
longer feast his eyes upon the pano-
rama, the porter begins his work by
getting the berths ready for their oc-
cupants He first pulls down the up
per berth, as part of the lower berth
equipments are cached in 1t during the
day. The upper berth is furnished
with a patent spring mattress, besides
having a fine hair mattress over it, and
the pillow cases and bed sheets, which
are changed every night, are of the fin
est quality of linen, of immaculate
whiteness.
The lower berths are made up similar
TO the upper, the seats and backs form
ing the spring mattress, which is over
laid by another made of the finest hair,
and the traveller can turn in" when
ever he see fit. The headrests of the
seats form handy and safe receptacles
for collars, cuffs, etc, and he must be a
nervous individual, indeed, who cannot
get a good nights rest, when 1T is con-
sidered that the superior construction
and finish of the car practically ex-
cludes all noise from the outside.
The life of the upholstery of car is
estimated at from nine to eleven
months, and when overhauled the mat
tresses, like cushions and other uphol-
stery work. are taken to the upper floor
of the department and opened out. The
hair is picked and cleaned by the hair
picker, and If il is found to be not up
to the standard ii is put aside to be
used for inferior articles and new hair
used in its stead. Then the covers are
removed, and If not too badly worn.
ere steamed and washed for future
use The covers are Of fine woolen rep
goods and 130 yards are required to
furnish mattresses for a car. Besides
this. thre are required 200 yards OF
fine white sheeting for mattress lining,
400 pounds of the best black hair for
filling and % gross Of mattress tufts
FOR tufting These are cut, sewed and
filed on the first floor and when fin
ished are put in the finished storeroom
and held for future use in the car to
which they belong.
The pillows are also taken to the up
holstery- room, where the ticks are taken
off, turned. brushed and inspected. and
| il found fit for further use are washed
| and laundried preparatory to being
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