The age-herald., 1897-08-15

While many women are preparing to enter the professions hitherto considered sacred to men, there are others who. with a knowledge of the practical demands ..of every day living are organizing newa business ventures which appeal at once to the common sense Of both sexes. One of the most popular of these recent ex- periments is that of Mrs. Ledyard Ste vens. of New York. who has put into , successful operation what she aptly terms the bureau of social require ments." Mrs. Stevens is a woman of the best social position, descendant of one. of the oldest and wealthiest families of New York. She possesses ability. judg ment. nervous energy and sanguine temperament. which have enabled her to overcome obstacles and make her en- terprise decided feature with New York women. Her friends have been. loyal and true and have stood bravely by her In her efforts to support herself and family after misfortune came upon them. Many who go to Mrs. Stevens for work are from her own social sphere, and, naturally, she has proven of great value to women who are confronted sud- denly with the necessity to labor in orr der to keep the wolf from their doors. The name selected by Mrs Stevens for her enterprise, "bureau of social require ments," is in a measure, misleading, for she supplies women for all manner of positions from cooks and maids up to companions. teachers, stenographers, etc. If woman of wealth suddenly de- cdes she will take the next steamer for London or Paris she sends to Mrs. Ste vens for some one who can pack her trunks quickly; the want Is supplied and in few hours an expert packer has com. pleted the task and received handsome remuneration. If private library is to be catalogued, Mrs Stevens is requested to send woman capable of doing 1t, and there seems always some one ready to take up that kind or any other kind of work demanded by the fashionable peo- pie of New York Mrs. Stevens receives
 
 letters from many parts of the country asking for assistance both from those who are compelled to labor and those who desire some one to relieve them of the burdens of life. Her business has grown to such large proportions that she will associate with her after September l. her sister-in-law. Mrs. Alexander H. Stevens. who as the beautiful Helen White, of New York. was one of the fascinating belles of the most exclusive attractive offices, furnished in violet and white, and she announced her intention of entering trade through the medium of araistic leaflets in violet and white tints In speaking of her work, Mrs. Stevens says:
 Many strange orders come to me. Un- til they come l never think of what can or cannot do, for am guided by cir- l cumstances. An order came the other day for two inlaid floors; another for a cook for diet kitchen one woman ask ed me to find a suitable school for a boy or ,, and another sent a request for a large amount of stationery that was to
 
 would need in this line.
 T have been asked to find a house. Keeper for santarium, and I have al- ready sent one to Maryland I have four large houses to open in October, and I nave rented a house for the winter for a lady living in the country. Shopping of all Kinds comes to me, and it has been done for persons living in the far west and for others way up in Maine. Seam- stresses and caretakers I have also hY.et t.zt work Is that send woman to buy cast-off clothing from wealthy women who tire of their wardrobe or go in mourning and an- other who goes to buy jewelry, silver ard furniture. This is a bit of exchange that benefits everybody interested.
 'I tell you all this that you can un- derstand how many persons I require to help me, which more than benefits them. Many of the women who come to see me are those whom know personally; other- wise, those registering with me must be vouched for, especially for positions of trust. Women of gentle birth do not hesitate to do what they can, and many being fine lnguists, gladly accept posi- tions as readers, and will read in sev- l eral languages, too. Others who need to do something are sent to dust bric-a- brac or to care for growing plants These are positions, all of them. which woman, no matter what her so- clal liIe may pc, need not and really does not hesitate to i'll most willingly. and it is unnecessary to add most acceptably. A shopper and a designer for a large establishment in New York have been accepted through my bureau, and when such success crowns ones efforts. it is not half hard, this making ones living; is #?
 more deeply is that women are always so willing to take up the family burdens when the father or husband, for some reason Is obliged to lay them down. Now. why is 1t? Women hesitate at nothing. Do men?"
 Birmingham's Needs
 We have no bureau of social requir- ments. to be sure and unfortunately no Mrs. Stevens to supply our wants. but we can exercise the privilege of teiinp