Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-01-01


place as assistant to a professional trunk
packer who is already established in q
large hotel. Here she will quickly ac-
quire proficiency II she possesses any
qualifications for this kind of work
and in rendering satisfactory service
she will become known, and by easy
stages advance to more remunerative
and responsible position. References
are always required as to proficiency and
honesty of character to obtain one OF
these positions, as the employer must
be able to place absolute trust and con-
fidence in the person who packs his
trunks.
Great innovations in the construction
years to meet the demands of modern
convenience. Packing is simplified
when several trunks are used for the
same quantity of belongings that former
ly went into one huge trunk.
There are hat trunks that are made
about the size of big hat-box. The
bottom and lid and each of the sides are
fitted with frame to which hat is ad.
justed by hatpin in the same manner
as when worn on the head. These
frames may be removed from the trunk
and the empty box used as an ordinary
trunk where small one is required for
a few days visit when the suit case
would not suffice.
One of the newest conveniences-a
skirt trunk-will be the delight of every
wOman's heart. This is forty-four inches
long, thus admitting of the skirts being
placed in the trunk full length. The in
side ia provided with series of trays,
about five or six in number, of the usual
depth of four inches. Into these the
skirts are packed and light weight ones
that are particularly fluffy may thus be
placed together in one tray and rendered
safe from crumpling and creasing. If
the trays are not all required for skirts,
they can be used to advantage for shirt.
waists. If need be, the trunk after the
trays are taken out may be stood on end
and used for a wardrobe or closet. This
will also economize space if your room is
not as large as you would like to have 1t,
which is frequently the case in even the
best of hotels.
The average woman who merely does
her own trunk packing declares that the
work is tiresome and back-breaking.
But the professional, having reduced the
work to an exact science, has also in
measure acquired the knack of making
the work easy. Among other simplii-
cations, she does not bend or stOop over
but, instead, elevates the trunk on chairs
or footrests before beginning the work.
There are many new and commodious
trunks, but nine out of ten women pre-.
pairing for summer outing, who will
need the services of a trunk packer, ex.
pect to take but one trunk and into this
goes everything, from shoes, hats and
coats to fluffy gowns; and of course
especial skill is required to pack trunk
of this kind, If the contents are to arrive
at their destination in good order.
The professional packer can get twice
as many things into the same space az
one who does not have knowledge OF
this work. To do this systematically,
one must know that the heavier articles
of dress, as we'll as the larger garments,
should be placed in the bottom of the
trunk, together with books and articles
of irregular shape that have weight.
A wrap is folded along the lines II
would naturally take when worn, falling
from the shoulders, and with these folds
it is carefully spread out.
Hook the heaviest Of skirts at the
waist band and let it fall in natural folds,
then lay in the trunk with the bottom
end of the skirt touching the sides OF
the trunk. This necessitates fold In
the skirt, but crease that Is horizontal
when the skirt is afterward hung in the
closet will disappear more quickly than
lines that are vertical, by reason of the
fact that the weight of the skirt when II
is hung will remove the crease above the
hem. Pack skirts all together in this
manner, reversing them with the waist.
band of one laid at the bottom of the
next one, and so on, alternating, until all
are packed.
This gives an even distribution of bulk
and preserves the level surface. Trains
should be folded back from the point al
which they become longer than the front
and sides, before the second fold over
In some cases it is best to fold the skirt
over at the top.
Next in order comes the undercloth.
ing, with petticoats at full length and
shirt waists In their natural folds.
Preparing the fine waists is always i'm
portant, if they are to keep their shape
nicely and not show signs of creasing
Several quires of soft tissue paper will
be needed; for it is owing more to the
generous and skillful use of this that the
crispness and freshness of pretty gowns
are due, after long journey, than to any
other precautiOn.
With the tissue paper crushed into
soft wads, stuff the sleeves in shape and
fill ont the waist as we'll, shaping it to
fit the compartment in which it is to lie
Another use for the tissue paper il
among frills, ple.tings and jet trimmings,
to prevent the latter from rubbing to.
gether or marring the delicate fabric ii
trims. II there DO lower tray, place
these waists in it. The top tray should
be used for toilet articles, writing ma
terials, reading matter, and the host OF
small dress accessories.
In packing bottles great care shonld
be taken. Cover the corks to prevent
leaking. After fitting them tightly into
the bottle, draw an old kid glove finger
over the top, fastening it securely; OF
wrap the bottles in wash cloths OF
pieces of underwear that will not be
materially injured If the bottle should
leak or get crushed. Always find a
place for these bottles removed from
any hard surface. Another practical
way of packing bottles and breakable
articles, which however, calls for larg-
or space in the trunk, is by taking a
square tin or cardboard box filled with
sawdust or excelsior in which the bot
ties of all sizes may be buried.
Shoes, to keep their shape we'll, should
be stuffed with paper and each one be
wrapped separately, or mounted on
boot trees and placed in shoe bag COM
partment where the heels will rest
against the sides of the trunk.
Hats 20 In the regular compartment
intended for them and the space around
them should never be crowded with
other articles.
The women who follow the calling Of
professional packer" are the busiest of
busy people in the summer season. Said
a bright young woman to me; at is a
poor days work unless at least dozen
trunks have been assigned me In the
hotel. OF course for this amount re-
uuire an assistant."-Ex.