The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-25
GIRLS START A
LAUNDRY FOR LACES
Two Young Women of Wash.
ingtOn, D. C., Establish a
Novel Enterprise

WASHINGTON "A sympathetic
laundry" is the name given by several
of its patrons to a novel enterprise re-
Gently started by two young society
girls i'm Washington.
1t cleanses rare old laces, worth
many times their weight in gold; ex-
quisite table pieces of the finest hand
work, priceless linens and cherished
heirlooms, with greater care and con-
sideration than even the owners would
be able to give. Hence, the sympa-
thetic attribute.
The young women who have under
taken this work are Misses Emma and
May Mulian, whose home is in Con-
necticut avenue, four doors from the
British embassy.
In house filled with rich tapes
tries, exquisite bric-a-brac and costly
furniture, they have established their
novel laundry, which is welcomed by
the harrassed owners of rare and cost
ly family pieces as few laundries per-
haps have ever been welcomed be-
fore.
Is Labor of Love
The Misses Mullan are not COM
PEELED to go into business. Their fa-
ther, Capt. John Mullan, accumulated a
comfortable fortune in California.
Their mother. formerly Miss Rebecca
Williamson of Baltimore, belonged to
an old Maryland family, and was a
prominent member of the Society of
Colonial Danes. Care of dainty laces
is a labor of love with the young la
dies.
Both by education and because OF
the high social position which they
hold, they are fitted to conduct their
novel business most successfully.
Their patrons are met by them on a
plane of social equality.
1t was through their own experience
that they learned of the ill treatment
given fine laces and linens by indiffer-
ent laundries.
They decided some time ago. so far
as their own possessions went, to avoid
steam dryers, mangles and various
other devices which cause fine points
in old lace to curl up and bring tears
TO the owners of table linen.
Let us have our things laundered
at home" said Miss Emma Mullan.
1.-The very thing" responded Miss
May.
Efforts Are Successful
Their attempt proved a decided sue
cess. When friends saw how beauti-
fully old laces and rare damask re-
sponded TO careful treatment, they
begged to send their own possessions
to be done up.
From this originated the idea of the
sympathetic Laundry"
Miss May Mullan secured New York
in search of a capable French woman
In whose charge she could place the
most important work, such as the dry
ing and mending of fragile pieces.
Every other helper has been care
fully selected, and there is an air of
refinement about the entire establish
ment that is not excelled in the draw
ing room.
Every piece is handled by hand, and
the Misses Mullan themselves give the
closest attention to all details.
Some of the little bundles that ar
rive are worth many thousands of dol
lars, and only such an establishment
would be allowed to handle them.
Many who visited the place in the
beginning did so because they were
curious TO see two society girls run a
laundry.
Results Satisfactory
Now they bring their treasures of
linen and lace regularly because they
have found the results satisfactory.
1t is something so entirely new to
have ones table linen, doilies and
drawn work, and ones gems in lace
treated with reverence and apprecia-
ton that the Misses Mullan find. TO
their establishment that they have
opened a wonderful field of promise in
the way OF remunerative results.
Blessings are invoked upon them in