The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-02


salary continuing; and when she can, she
returns to her place. 1t is still the habit
in France for mothers who must work TO
put their children away from them to be
cared for.
In 1896 the Boucicauts found their bust
ness so prosperous ut amounted to $780,
900 in that year, that they saw their way
to begin the present great building, on the
old site, which takes up, a whole block on
lone and Velpeau, 1000 square yards, in
dependent of premises outside. Here, I'M
restricted in any way, they began their
! wonderful work for the physical, moral and
mental well-being of their employees. First,
they must be well lodged, they said, for
his is surest safeguard against the tempta-
tons of Paris. So a house was bought,
now called the Hotel Boucicaut, and here
were lodged free, all the women employed
who had no homes of their own Apart
ments were hired and fitted up comfortably
ana handsomely for the men who had no
homes OF their OWn-free to them. In the
evenings, in a great salon, lectures and les
sons were given. Those who showed an
especial aptitude for English being sent to
LONDON six months for further study, at
the expense of the house. Fencing lessons
were given for physical development and
mus taught IN all its branches by the
best teachers. free.
Just opposite the Bon Marche in the Rue
Velpeau is lovely park, one of those green
PAGES mat make of Paris a benediction.
What if some one should buy this ground
and build in it?" Madame Boucicaut said:
II would darken our windows and spoil the
outlook from the employees dining room;
moreover. 1T would deprive our young people
or OF, their lovely breathing place in the even
monument forever of her wonderful
thoughtfuness and love.
FREE MEALS FOR EMPLOYEES
A good deal of all this sounds improbable,
yet much is not told nor yet the one thing
that seems most improbable of all. The
5000 employees of the Bon Marche are fed
there daily at the expense of the house
Reflect for a moment what that means, a
meat and vegetables and a half bottle of
wine for each person. The dinner is little
more elaborate. Is it a wonder the house
prospers under such righteous and thought
full division of profits? This year, 1897, the
sales are over $4,000 900
But the Boucicauts reached out beyond
the Bon Marche with their benefactions.
Living in the student quarter for instance.
| they saw how great was the struggle of
| artist life, how impossible often for an UNI
khoWn name TO get hearing. So they
| MADE or the visitors great reading room in
; the B9n Marche a gallery, and here they
| Many a young American whose story had
| been pitiful one started on his road to
| success by reason Of his first picture sold
/ in 1916 Monsieur Boucicaut touched by
| the cries. of the children. and even more
/ touched by the wants of old age. estab-
llshed in the Latin quarter a permanent
/ fund for the daily distribution Of the best
milk for the very young and the very old.
he had at this time his great heart full of
| plans to help his neighbors outside his bust
/ ness to help themselves. The Bon Marche
was firmly established and thousands were
| living In comfort because Of it. He would
I now reach out beyond. But death called
| and the great, noble soul had to go away.
| Dec. % 1877. Two years later his only son
| died, and Madame Boucicaut was left alone
yh e gft h9q nor ar BANDS s5 But
carefully the charities most needing her
| help and gave to them while she lived. And
! she studied an even greater thing-on whom
! should her business mantle fall If people
| like the Boucicauts are born, not made,
| where could any others be found to take
| their place? Yet Madame Boucicaut did
| find them She selected three gentlemen
| who had been in the employ of the house
| and Ricois. These three gentlemen have
not only fulfilled to the letter all the plans
| provideht fund This FOR the clerks
and higher officers The new firm has es-
! tablished a provident fund for the lower
| work people-no scullery maid stable
| boy but can reach to it's benefits. This
| fund was founded in 1892 like the Others
out of the profits of the business. The cap
ital this year is $4,000, and the interest CIV
en- is per cent.
NINE BOUCICAUTS REQUESTS.
In 1887 Madame Boucicaut died, and, not
| withstanding all she had given away, she
left 49, 10000 100000 francs. To the en-
ranging from 5000 to $4,000 and after looking
ont for the welfare of the little towns of
Belleme and Verjux, the rest of her money
| she wiled TO Libraries and hospitals and
! schools and churches, besides remembering
| scores of individual friends. The three
| Boucicauts parents and son. lie under very
| simple stone in the Cemetery Montparnasse.
| There are no words of eulogy on the stone.
| In Memory of the Boucicaut Family is
/ all 1t reads.
We raise monuments in the great cities to
| the memory of men whose claim to immor-
| tally IS that they have led men to kill men.
| The Boucicauts loved and saved men, They
| don't need monument, for the Bon Marche
| with all the moral good that has resulted
| from its regime, is monument enough. But
| IT, by chance, there were one erected to
them in Paris every loyal, grateful Partisan
| should rMse his hat in passing it, just as
now he raises it-beautiful custonl-when the
| dead goes by.
| With all the money shared and given
| away, S16,0O0,OOO remained when the last of
| the Boucicauts died. What commentary on
| profits and profit-sharing
| have heard 1t said by people who knew
nothing about it, that the Bon Marche was
| only a store for the people-le peuple--that
for really elegant fr things one must go else
/ the most magnificent velvets, the most deli
| cate laces. the finest and daintiest handi-
work from the remOtest corners Of the
| earth, are brought into this store. 1t is also
| as well store for the people-the peasant
| in her sabots Is as welcome here as the
| princess in her sables, for it was to make
| her so the Boucicauts largely lived and
/ worked.
The Americans are always en- evidence
| In the Bon Marche. 1t is their Paris shop
| ping place; the law that forbids clerk to
/ modest YOU or ask for what you want, is
not one of the. least attractions to them.
| They can spend a day wandering over the
| place without being followed or watched or
| spoken to; and when they want service
| there are plenty who speak English TO
| give ii.
1t would seem as IL there were nothing
left to be desired in this great establish
| preprietors would see, their way to earlier
closing and so set the example of early
closing TO the shopkeepers of Paris gener-
ally. From o'clock in !, the o morning till
work and ought TO be long enough in all
conscience for shoppers. as well. to do their
shopping.
difference of Opinion.
washington Post
The New York Sun thinks it is all right
70 write love letters on type writer, and
- = foosfou Herald says 1t is all wrong.