The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-27
RAILROAD Z
weusen VINE Travel with reurist Parties
Bridal Couple Protectors.

Bridal Couple Protectors.
Miss Zorelda Wallace Beatty. Miss Emma @.
Bingham, and Miss Anna K. Brady are employed
by one Of tho largest railroad corporations in
America to accompany tourist parties sent out
by this road. Miss Beatty, when asked about
her duties az q chaperon, laughed and said: "Oh.
they are only nominal; at least that Is what L
have boon told by persons who hear Of my fro
quent trips over the country and the number OF
agreeable people I meet. But personally l would
say my duties are indescribable. first because
they are innumerable, and secondly because In a
great measure they depend on what turns up
/ think you will readily understand that tho
duties on one trip are seldom II ever duplicated.
or course we never make two trips with the
same persons under the same conditions.
AZ the beginning Of tho trip 1 always 60
through the formality Of introducing myself to
every woman in tho party, explain my position,
and let her clearly understand that 1t is my
pleasure as we'll as my duty to have her call on
me for any or assistance during the
trip. Where there are ladies travelling alone.
or several together u~naocompanied by q man. 1
make myself especially nice. SO they may feel
no hesitancy In calling on mo about the most
trivial occurrence. or course. l often have the
same persons 60 with me on different trips. i
say go with me. because they really make their
arrangements that they may 60 on tho trip
where I am to DO the chaperon. This happens.
I am sure. as often. IL not oftener. to both of the
other chaperons, and we know each others
friends quite well.
ION the train I see that the ladies have every
possible comfort. If I notice persons who give
evidence of having travelled little before, try to
give them oil the information desired, and make
Thorn feel. rs far as possible. at home with their
surroundings. Whom we arrive at our destina-
tions. or at a stop. I SEQ that every ono of my
charges understands where she is to be quar-
tered. for how long, and at what expense. OF
course, this includes the transferring Of their
baggage: though personally that is u perintend,
by "T ssisy !Saa sss 3 sSp5 : b % SssSaf I sus sps!ss' I,
could; but not with as much comfort, certainly
to call on. Then, too. the girls. You have
fresh from school, often still in school.
me- Iatpi the head head Of so% = large female SnS ~~ semlna a%es'eosf
to be- looked after very eSreiuiiySSt least, I
might say, continually. But as a class they
ellers and make. very charming companions.
Our girl, travellers nearly always become
friends instead OF my duties.
AT the end OF q tour-that Is, at the other
end-eyery member Of the party iS informed
where can be found during tho entire stay. at
what hour 1 will conduct them around the place
we are visiting. pointing out Objects OF interest.
and at what hours / can be found at my room in
the hotel. Now don't understand. MS many peo-
pie do, that the whole party are expected to go
out sightseeing with me. whether they so desire
fectly free from my prosecutions, unless they
desire to be prosecuted, and need not see me
from the time they leave the train until they re-
turn. Even when on the train. you know. tour
ists are not compelled to call on me. They are
to use their own pleasure. / am simply a con-
veniepce, there to be called on when desired.
"Oh, yes. we have some very amusing expert
you that in the six years I have acted rs chap
eron l have been to Florida at least twenty-five
times, to California half as often, and, as for
Washington and other short trips. 1t would be
impossible for ME to say without consideration
and much looking backward. / have certainly
seen and known of some very amusing occur
rences. but, of course, it would never do for me
to tell you about them.
80 the only way to find out would be to take
a "trip with me. And l would advise you to select
q Florida trip. There you will see the greatest
number of bridal couples. You know we call
ourselves bride and groom protectors end on
some trips we certainly have our hands full
living up to that title. but never do we forget
our duties In that direction. Newly married
never annoyed by practical jokes or otherwise.
You ask IL ! had any training for the posi-
ton. No, certainly not. Like other women.
when the necessity arose for me to make my
own living. l took the first thing that offered.
In my case the first thing happened to be libra
rian in my native town; then this place was
offered. I took 1t. and here l am. have a va
over tho country the remainder of the year.
making myself useful to other people. or
course. l make many charming acquaintances,
and. as q whole, my occupation is pleasant