Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-08-20
NEW JOB FOR GENTLEMEN.
Growth of an Occupation which the
New Woman Has Not Yet Invaded.
York Mail and Express.)


tions, by which nearly n hundred New
York men earn an honest living, Is that
of professional escort" During the
present summer this peculiar avocation
is being followed to n surprising extent.
and proving profitable to scores Of i'm
pecunious young men of polished man
ners and pleasing appearance, not few
Of them being actors out of engagements.
The notion is of English importation.
In London, where 1t iS not considered
good form for ladies to visit theatres and
entertainments, or even to go shopping,
unaccompanied by a gentlemen, the pro-
fcssional escort has long been an estab-
lished institution In New York there
are now two thoroughly reputable and
recognized agencies for the supplying OF
male attendants upon ladies visiting the
city for business or pleasure, and who
have not the advantage of friends or ac-
quaintances of the sterner sex. These
stablshments-one with an office on
Sixth avenue, Just cast OF Broadway, and
tho other run under the auspices of n big
department store-are conducted upon
the most strict and orthodox business
principles. There is no question Of their
absolute responsibility, and the escorts
they supply are carefully selected young
men Of integrity and honor. honest and
reliable in every sense of the word
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED.
!
ladies' escort agencies is required to fur
nsh hrst-class references as to charac-
ter, and tn qualify not only from an
! intellectual point of view, but to prove
that he has an intimate knowledge of
the city and its institutions. He IS also
expected to look like n gentlemen at all
times and to assume the convential even
ing dress whenever required, He must
report for duty each morning at ~
! o'clock and hold his services at the com
mand Of the office from that time until
midnight although he may not be &C
lively employed more than n few hours
| each day and some days not at all.
| For this he receives a retaining fee of
from IS to s12 a week. with extra rc
Enumeration of 30 cents an hour while on
active duty. lie Is also expected to pay
all minor expenses such as car fares,
out of his own rockets, not only for
himself, but for the lady to whom he
acts as escort. and he Is absolutely for
hidden to take tips. OF course all such
charges theatre tickets, cab hire,
meals, etc. are borne by his feminine
patron. Ladies' are requested to report
the smallest infraction Of the strict rules
laid down by the managers of the
agencies. or the smallest breach Of eti-
quette. and this is followed by the in
slant dismissal Of the professional escort
The fees charged unprotected women
for the advantage Of n presentable and
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CoLLEGE MEN ACTORS SOLID EhS.
I'VE have about 40 men on our lists. -
said the manager of one the Escort
Agencies" "and they vary in age from
twenty-five to fifty They are all gentle
mon. in every sense Of the word some
Of the younger being college graduates.
A fow are actors Of the better class, and
two have been in military service When
a lady applies to us for an escort It
IS our cndcavor to select such a man
as we think may he agreeable to her
and whose dcportment will rebound TO
the credit of the agency
"Of course. we do not permit our pa
irons to select for themselves 1t must
not to he presumed that we keep staff
of men on hire. allowing women to pick
| and choose There Is no more dscrimina-
tion allowed them in the case Of engaging
boy. When n lady has employed one of
our escorts and she finds him aGrceagle
l and trustworthy We are glad to respect her