The times., 1899-12-10
MR.. PALMER's AGENT.
She Handles All His Great Real ES-
tate Interests.


It is not known whether or not Mr. Pot
ter Palmer has ever put on record his ex-
act attitude on the woman question, but
certain it is that while he travels the
world over enjoying the distinction that
his wife has won for herself on two con
tnents, his large affairs at home are left
exclusively in the hands of a clever young
business woman. Anyone entering his spa
cious offices in the First National Bank
building during his prolonged absences
from Chicago. viii be met by a tall Eng
hsh looking girl with blonde hair, fresh
color firm. white teeth. and quiet, dignitied
manner who with the tact and directness
born of clear head and unique business
experience viii proceed straight to the
vital point of any transaction whatsoever
/ As all the world knCws. Mr., Palmer's
business is largely in real estate and
among his extensive possessions are more
than a hundred houses IN the more de
siIable residence portions on the north
side Of Chicago. Upon Miss Esther Wal
lace. who has the entire handling OF the
details Of this immense business. rests the
responsibility of deciding as TO the ftnaa-
cisl liability of possible tenants, whether
the individual making application IS upon
business bent or is inspired only by idle
curiosity. in how far it is advisable 10 hu
NOR the various vhims Of clients. and the
thousand and one questions hat come up
as 80 repairs, remodeling, decorating, etc.
In short. success in such position re-
quires the combination OF many diverse
qualities FOR besides tine essential business
equipment-a knowledge OF bookkeeping,
banking handling moneys, etc.-great tact
i'm the managing of men and women is
necessary together with a practical knowl-
Z edge upon wide range of subjects. NO
little discretion is needed, for instance, IN
deciding whether not in a single case,
but many-it is bes; to put out the extra
$40 or $50 in order TO keep the good viii Of
a tenant of what this man can be made
. happy without, and what is ndispensaO e
10 the other: when il is wise 10 yield tlis
point or remain firm on that. Then with
the constant repairs that such immense
property entails familiarity with plumb
ing gas fitting. mechanics, CORE 4 prices
what is newest and best in the way OF wall
papers. tiutmgS etc. are sme qua mons.
I A refined and cultivated taste in the mat
ter of decorations is in itself most vaiu-
able quality. for artistic shades and hdr-
monious combinations are frequently po-
tent factors I'm a Woman's decision of the
house she is TO live in. All these details,
together with the handling of enc. SJus
sums Of money Miss Wallace manages
with "a certain acquired ease and despatch.
Miss Wallace made her debut into The
business world in the year of the World 5
Fair. when she accepted some small posi-
tion as steuographer. Her rise has there
fore been very rapid enc and she is
obliged to now have at her own disposal
the services Of q stenograp' 'er.
OF exceedingly good fam cl lections,
Miss Wallace had at the outset Of ter
business. career the advice Of some Of the
most successful fnanciers in The eoun-
try She was wise enough TO lay many OF
their dictums to heart. and 10 consistently
act pom them
yer allow yourself to accept a per-
-soaal favor Of any sort from business
acquaintance" said one OF the kings Of
the financial world TO her. You cannot
tell when ii may seem an obstacle in the
way OF independent action. Be courteous
and afIable with clients always, but limit
your conversation in so far as possible 10
the definite business in hand, reserving the
discussion Of all outside matters to The do
main of your social life