The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-17

though she tried very hard to keep it,
for that was all she knew how to do,
and she retired with only 500. Not
knowing exactly whittier to turn, she
went to New York and wandered
around for a while. looking at things.
One day she saw the women crowding
the life out of one another at a bar
gain sale of skirts, and a thought
occurred to her. She let it develop
for a day or two and then spent all
the money she had for silk skirts that
were destined for the bargain counter.
They were rumpled, but she took them,
as they were at small figures, and car
ried them to her rooms. There she
ironed and pressed them out till they
looked like new, and then went out
into the suburban towns to sell them.
She found ready purchasers at good
prices, and came back for more. These
she made as good as new, and had no
trouble in disposing of her stock. She
added shirt waists next, and then be-
gan getting shop-worn silks, remnants
and that kind of stock, and gradually
increased her territory, hiring some
body to do the renovating, while she
was attending to the buying and SELL
ing. She has been in this business
three or four years, and in that time
has built up a trade that is paying
her between $500 and $500 a month.
She has her children in school, has
neat home in one of the suburban
towns. which she owns.
Many good people have expressed
surprise that no provision for nursing
students temporarily i'll has been incor-
porated into the college curriculum.
The New York Tribune states that
Mrs. Edward Storrs Atwater of Pough-
keepsie. appreciating this need at Vas
sar, has given money for an infirmary.
1t is to be a memorial of her father
Charles w Swift, for many years a
trustee of the college. 1t is expected
that only the foundations Of the build
ing will be put in this winter, but the
infirmary will be completed and ready
for occupancy next fall. Wellesley has
been in advance of Vassar in this re-
spect for it has had a hospital ward,
and during this year it has been i'm
proved by the addition of diet kitch-
en-. 1t has all the latest appliances for
preserving food. Electricity is used
for cooking.
The position Of private secretary to
society women IS one which is especial
ly adapted to women whom change of
circumstances have deprived of former
social rank. The qualifications are clear
penmanship, knowledge of the correct
form of all kinds of notes and letters,
and at least one language besides Eng
fish, preferably French According to
recognized good form, a communication
should be answered in the language in
which it is written. The bookkeeping
which belongs to the position includes
drawing checks, balancing the check
book, and keeping record, with dates,
of visits received and made, and of all
luncheons, dinners and social func-
lions which have been given or for
which invitations have been received.
! The secretary of a woman prominent
| in administration circles in Washington
is herself the daughter of an ex-cabi-
net officer
| There are many small houses in Hol4
land, and to economize space many of
the tables are made to close or to turn
up against the side of the wall. The
right side or top of the table is turned
to the wall and the under side, being
out is inlaid and ornamented as well
as the other.