The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1900-06-09
VOMAN'S WORLD.
ONE WoMAN's PROFESSION.
She Earns Comfortable Income ArranG-
ing Bridal Finery.

ONE WoMAN's PROFESSION.
She Earns Comfortable Income ArranG-
ing Bridal Finery.
Miss Eleanor Burwell is a young
woman who dresses brides. That IS
the way she makes her living, and
yery good living at that. The other
dav friend of mine was married, and
one morning, about two weeks before
the eventful day, card was sent up
to her, and I went down to see the
caller, Miss Burwell, whose name
neither of US had ever heard before.
She explained her business and my
friend engaged her.
Early on the morning Of the we'd
ding Miss Burwell appeared with her.
assistant. The entire trousseau, and,
I might say, the bride herself, was
turned over to her. She first investi-
gated the wedding outfit ana saw that
everything was as it should be. She
insisted on the brides remaining
quietly in bed until 10 o'clock, the
wedding not being until o'clock in
the afternoon. Then she had her out
and tried on the wedding dress, gloves
and slippers. Some alterations, only
q few stitches, were necessary, and
she took them. Next she turned her
attention to packing the trunks, and
ID less than two hours the task was
accomplished and a little book con-
tanning complete inventory was put
in the brides travelling bag. This in
rentory gave not only the list Of
articles, but told exactly where they
could be found. By this time the
bride had finished her luncheon and
was persuaded to take nap and re-
main in bed until called by Miss Bur
well, who, with her assistant, left the
house, to appear again promptly at
$50 o'clock.
! Then tepid bath was prepared;
the bride awakened, and while sho
was taking it they Strengthened up the
room and laid out the bridal costume.
She dressing of the bride was accom-
plishcd without the slightest hurry
and in ample time. But best of all
was the fresh, rosy face that was seen
through the bridal veil. 1t was so
different from the haggard, nervous
girl we had all expected. She was
aot bit tired or worried, and, feel
ing that she was looking her very
best, womanlike, she was supremely
contented. Miss Burwell accompanied
her to the church door, guarded
against soiling her gown in the car
rage and gave the final touch to her
veil and train as she entered.
After the ceremony she returned to
the house, superintended the ex-
change of the bridal for the going
away gown, gave the final arrange
ments to the last trunk and the
travelling bag, set the room to rights
md left as quietly as the proverbial
mouse.
The next day 1 saw her again, and
!sked her to tell me about her work.
Il began four years ago." she re-
olied, 'sby dressing friend Of mine,
lud tnought her mother, who was a
very delicate woman, would never get
through thanking me. She said Twas
just the right person in the right place
on such an occasion, and as I had left
school and was on the lookout for
something to do to earn living, [ de-
sided to try dressing brides as pro-
,sisssion. I came to New York as our
neafssehjg city and afording the
largest field. lUJtE=cossEss UE= osTGss~J had few
letters of introduction and slrfi31s, III
amount of money, less than $50, II
my pocket.
"While they pay me we'll for my ser
vices they do not feel that they cal
afford to keep expensive servants. O.
course am compelled to keep up witt
the latest styles, and for that purpos'
spent two months in Paris lasO sum
mer. August and September are tht
poorest months in the year for wed
dings, while October, February ant
June are about the most popular
Often during these months I have a
many as two brides day to dress
and several times I could have had a.
many as four, but was obliged to re
fuse many engagements for want O
time.-Lafayette N. Laws, in Chi
cago Record.