The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-05-02
NEW TYPE OF BUSINESS WOMAN.


The woman of fine presence and
al around social cleverness has two
to-one better chance in the business
world just now than the trained spe-
cialists, n whatever department.
lactful, pleasing women, no matter
how slight their technical knowledge,
are In demand and get the chance to
extend their usefulness while the
speedy stenographers, efficient book
keepers and the like make barely
living wages. Many women who had
no idea of working have entered the
lists at the solicitation of those who
recognized their fitness.
Inthe beauty par1ors frequented by
wealthy people the young person who
receives the patrons does so with an in
inlitable air of interest and affability.
her gown alone is worth going to see.
The arrangement of her hair, even
III. fashion of her belt clasp, smacks
Of exclusiveness and inside knowl-
edge as to modes. And when she
becAons the attendant to whom the
custemer is to be consigned it is with
quite the manner of performing a
BENEVOLENT act.
She is only paid servitor. The
real mistress sheltered in her inside
office S plainly-dressed, thoughtful
looking woman, with perhaps neither
the taste nor the inclination to get
herself up in gloriously impressive
fashion. She had the ability to build
up a properly exclusive clientele,
however, and the sense to know that
there should be an attractive senes-
chal to preside-a deputy mistress free
from care whose entire time could be
devoted to looking agreeable.
In sumptuous private sanitarium
is another deputy mistress, a fine,
dashing looking woman who knows
nothing whatever of nursing but has
prettily sympathetic way about her
that wins favor with both guests and
patients. She is always exceptional
ly well dressed, a prepossessing re-
commendation for the establishment.
Women of tactful manners are en-
ployed by several of the great special
lists to interview people when the doc
tor is away.
It is the thing now in the exclusive
dress-making and outftting establish
ments to have the patrons received as
though they were guests. And
woman with good looks and social
skill combined to come forward and
make customers feel at home is a
needed adjunct. She it is who shows
them samples and takes them around
the show cases, where costly gowns
or waists are on exhibition. All this
is done as though it mattered not a
whit whether an order was secured or
not. When it comes to costs and es-
Inmates another person is called in,
and the woman who receives goes to
welcome other guests. Social diplo-
Sometimes the woman who is ex-
ceptionally clever, well dressed and
sophisticated is employed very pleas
antly S outdoor companion by
wealthy people who want an instruc-
ted PERSONS company, or by young
women who want a comrade on ex-
cursions which they may not make
alone. But the field in which the
tactful woman who is self-dependent
finds best remuneration is as the hand
lerof educational propositions, ''pro-
moter of mining stocks, real estate
investments, savings bank securities
and like issues. The promoter for
these is of very different calibre
from the women admirably employed
to beat UP. purchasers and demon
strate the efficacy of household and
dry goods items.
Business men with ventures and in
terests to advance can detect the right
qualifications for a successful promo
ter in moment. Not long ago a
young woman was tempted to answer
very cleverly worded advertisement,
which stated that experience was not
necessary, nor technical training, nor
canvassing. Good pay was offered
and short hours. On keeping the ap-
pointment made in response to her
application, she found that not can
vassing, but what practically amount
ed to the same thing, was wanted,
namely, interviewing strangers and
arousing their interest in business
venture. She promptly refused the
place to be met by genuine importun-
ing that she should try the work.
"You are just the sort of lady we
want, ;" the man said. 'Your looks
and manner would take you any
where. And you'd be making big
commissions besides the salary in less
than fortnight. !"
The young waman withdrew, nor
did she ever answer the three letters
she received asking her to consider
the proposition. But the case illus
trates how much women of good cul-
ture and address are being utilized in
business.