Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-23
work for women Of SIXTY.

One Chicago woman OF 90 has discovered
a means Of livelihood at once fairly re-
munerative and not greatly taxing 10 her
strength. While poor, she was not in dire
straits, but It required q small income to
meet her modest expenditures.
Her home was in a quiet street somewhat
removed from the central part Of Chicago.
relates the Tribune, and the Idea suggest
ing the work that she might md to do
came 10 her through the local advertising
OF a department store situated on the busy
cross-town thoroughfare near her home.
From time to time she found at her door
and in the hallway printed bills and cir
cular letters announcing bargain sales at
this store. which was the largest Of its
kind in the neighborhood. Usually the dis
tribution Of the advertising matter was
done by boys or young men, and she OBJ
served that in many instances 1t was per-
formed carelessly. 1t occurred to her that
she could do this work and do It more
carefully and cOnscientiously than the
youths who hurried through their work,
scattering bills right and LEFT. Indifferent
az to where they fell and with little con-
sideration OF their employers interests.
Furthermore the woman Of 60 thought she
might take the printed matter into the
homes and by personal solicitation gain
larger patronage for the big establishment
on the corner.
The woman Of 90 was on hand at the time
appointed. The manager gave her some
final instructions and handed her a bundle
of circulars fresh from the printer, with
sufficient money to pay her expenses for
car fare and luncheon The day was event.
full. with few exceptions she received
kindly welcome to the many homes
whereat she called. 1t was not suburb
OF millionaires and upon instructions the
woman Of 80 ignored Its small section Of
wealthy residents. I'VE are not after their
trade" the manager had said. They go
to the city on trains and would not stop
outside the loop district TO do their shop
ping. What we are after are the ones who
ride downtown on the street cars and who
can save time by dropping Off at our cor
ner, and incidentally. as you will show
them, save money as we'll"
"The woman OF co. on her first visit Of
personal solicitation wore a neat ready-to-
wear suit OF blue cloth. This she had
bought at the store she was advertising,
and more than once on that visit she called
the attention Of the women with whom
she talked to its excellent quality and the
low price she had paid.
Four towns were canvassed the first
week, taking up about six hours each OF
four days OF the elderly solicitors time
For this she was paid $3.50 daily in add.
ton TO her expenses. When she entered
the managers Office the second week to
receive instructions he greeted her cor
daily and said; Your scheme is a sue.
cess We had more calls for blue suits
like the one you are wearing the last two
days of last week than we ever had in a
month before, and we noticed an appre,
ciable increase In the number OF customers
from the towns that you visited. Now thi,
week I'd like to have you go 70 thes,
towns"
The manager handed her a Typewriter
itinerary for FIVE days OF that week.
The woman OF 90 has kept up the worl
ana the employment promises 70 be perma
merit.
When she laid the proposition before III
manager OF the store few days after tn
plan suggested itself she met with littl
encouragement. He thought a woman OF he
age, though she was well preserved woul
find the work too hard, and he espresso
doubt that she would be able to cove
the territory assigned to the advertising dis
tributers rapidly enough to prove advan
tageous to them. When she added tn
suggestion Of personal solicitation he be
came interested In a measure, but woul
not promise immediate employment. a.
though he said no would take the matte
under consideration and inform her as
his decision.
A week later she was In the place on
small shopping errand, thinking that befor
she left she would try to interview III
manager again regarding her pet schem
Before she had finished her shopping sh
met the gentleman in. one Of the aises
the store, and he, remembering her, bowe
and asked her to please accompany him
his once, as he desired to speak furtht
TO her about her proposition to do adve
Using work.
II won't offer you employment IN exact
the way you wanted H. said the manage
after they were seated, but / have
slightly different plan that I think may I
OF advantage and that you may try II yo
feel so inclined Il Is this: There are a /,
OF suburban towns a few miles out IN.
furnish considerable business to this sire
and we are not getting as much OF tht
trade as we think we should have
Now, this corner Is I'VE miles nearer