New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-14
SHAWL-VENDING A BUSINESS
AN OCCUPATION CARRIED ON By A
WOMAN FOR FIFTEEN YEARS.
OUT OF DATE Az WEARING APPAREL. THESE
WRAPS ARE POPULAR AS DRAPERrEs-rHEY

OUT OF DATE Az WEARING APPAREL. THESE
WRAPS ARE POPULAR AS DRAPERrEs-rHEY
ARE ALSO MADE INTO TEA GOWNS
Here Is tip 20 the woman in search OF a unique
and paying occupation: one OF the best-known
characters In studio and certain Bohemian circles
Of New-York ia Mrs. wright procurer and vender
OF and costly old Paisley and India shawls
Il is fifteen years since chance threw in this
clever woman's way costly shawl which circun-
stances forced her to turn into cash. To this pur-
pose she sought leading auctioneer. who referred
her to n retail merchant famous importer OF
rare shawls Il n day when Paisley or an
India shawl was az Indispensable 10 the wardrobe
OF the wel.-bred woman "a Is now the traditional
black silk gown. The dealer promptly paid her
handsome price FOR her treasure and assured her
that he would buy all the shawls OF that quality
that she could fetch him.
A widow with a growing family ard sorely
pressed for funds Mrs Wright wisely utilized the
hint. and she gradually found herself engaged IN
unique and paying business. which she still pur-
with enthusiasm despite her threescore and
ten years.
With the passing OF the shawl as a toilet reaui-
site there began for the quaint old vender the mos,
interesting period Of her business career From the
wholesale and retail merchant she turned 70 the
artist. Artists were not slow to recognize tho
beauty and utility Of shawls for studio drapery
wall and 2van decoration and model properties"
4
abroad has had a Mrs. Wright shawl In back or
fore ground. The walls OF a famous studio of
Gotham are hung with twenty-one shawls bought
OF this itinerant merchant.
Where do YOU find the shawls?" is the invartahe
question with which Mrs Wright Is confronted
when she presents her wares 70 new customer
O,d-timNrs know better than to ask her; she has
adroit way OF turning the conversation 10 her
fayorite hero. Andrew ia kson while the quest
Is left the wiser
Safe to assert no pawn or curio shop In New
| York escapes tho vigilance OF her foxike eyes
| Since the shawl has ceased TO be fashionable
sartOraI commodity there is scarcely family OF
consequence that mas not at some time stored In
attic or warehouse one or two Paisley India
shawls The vender has the scent OF the grey
hound. and the track OF a shawl she
never ceases pursuit until II Is IN her possession.
~ must buy desirable shaw! the moment
IT," said Mrs. Wright. 1T VIII wait until
And sure purchaser. I found out early in the
business ma now ~ me accepted tiine. unless !
want 10 run the risk Of losing the shawl The
end OF last season ! had an unusually large stock
~ ard sales slow"
SHAWL. TEA GOWNS
Next 70 painters she finds her seadest pa
irons among Delsarte disciples. bachelor maids
: and now the society women. who going In for
The richly coorcd shawls for house gowns. \
double shawl IS sufficient 70 make entire gown
FOR a large The design in the centre Of
single shawl is not sufficiently large sleeves ara
made Of cashmere to match the plain centre or the
predominating color Of the whole. The effect is
wonderfully rich and becoming. ard any woman
deft with the needle fashion tho garment.
oriental buckles or brooches make appropriate
ornaments 70 fasten at the throat or eaten the
angel s,eeves which aGorn m" most artistic house
! gowns now soeu. The softness and warmth ~ the
texture. the often exquisite blending OF colors. to-
geth"r win their everlasting durability make "A
shaw nous" gown a perpetual JOY.
II have been buying snavls or MrS. wright Tor
many years said a celebrated public reader
paid her for one sh wi $3.50. duplicate or "nlcn
| saw in European collection valued al N''t
How she can sell so cheapy and make LIVING -
a mystery. Her prices are at east one-htth less
than the stores ask Not infrequenty she mas
brought me fine imitation Of Paisley or India
double size. for which she asked only =. one
mus, pay that sum for An eiderdown bath robe: IN
which II T. not permissible 20 see ones friends
How can you afford TO sell SO low was asked
tho Vender .-,
II have only this to say" was the reply. Since
/ nenny" Perhaps no society stage beauty mas
been more persStently and vainly importuhe1 oy
art SIS for sitting than this quaint woman
always says. but It's impossible: In ieneral
she is tho qu.ntessence OF poteness-the tai.
| angular form OF Mrs Wright with her black
gown that smacks OF Old EIickorys day; her nat-
ing black bonnet and bundle OF shawis' disappears
before the artist can grasp a pencil