El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-19
Dorothy Dix On m. Fatal Git Of Beauty


II beauty an asset OF a handicap to
the woman who works?
A large and enthusiastic majority
viii reply that good looks are a salts
factory substitute for ability. talent,
energy. industry, and faithfulness in
business for a girl. and that so long as
she has nicely marceIIed perOxided hair
on the outside OF her head It doesn't
much matter what she's got inside Of
it.
In proof OF this position on the pull
chrlCude question they will point out
that there are certain occupations. such
as the stage, for instance, that are
practically barred 10 all but pretty
girls Also that the clerks in depart
ment stores are recruited from the
peach basket Likewise that it cannot
be a matter Of chance that practically
all stenographers and private secre-
tartes are young and have straight
front figures
And. If additional evidence were need
cd to bolster up the assertion that a
girls best letter OF recommendation
peaches and cream complexion, those
boosters for beauty viii tell you that
IL is a common saying with business
men that they like to have a pretty girl
around the office to look at. Just as
they would like to have a pretty pic
ture, or a dainty piece Of bric-a-brac.
II rests their eyes.
furthermore the advocates Of beau
ty-in-the-Office would ask YOU to ex-
plain why, If good looks aren't an as
set IN business as well as in society,
it is that you so very, very seldom see
even middle aged woman holding
down good Jobl
Surely fat grizzled women. or old
skinny ones, must have just as much
need Of earning money as young. slim
ones. but the woman Who has lost her
looks and her figure would walk her
feet off looking for a good situation
before she found one When Won see
either owns Il. or she has been there
for so many years, and shown such sDe-
cial aptitude for her work that she has
made herself invaluable She's never a
new conner.
All Not FIirts.
Nor does this indicate that all en-
plOyers are fhrtatIOus. Far from IT It
is merely a tacit recognition OF the
Iact tnat youth and beauty are the most
enchantlng things In the world and that
we all like to surround ourselves By
them when we can. It's just more in
spiri1ng to have q, fresh. pretty face
a lunch table, or a counter than it is to
look upon a tired. hOmely, old face. and
that's why sweet-and-twenty gets
the job.
It appears, however. that there is an
other side to this question and that in
stead Of good looks being a help in /
business to girl there is such a thing I
as being so good looking that it is a
hindrance, and I am in receipt Of a I
letter from young woman who says I
that she IS a superabundance Of the IA {
lal gift OF beauty it is regular hoo I
doc.
She writes. Il have been seeking a 4
position for some time without any
satisfactory results. because in every
business office in which I apply for a I
position 7 am told that I am entirely /
too good looking TO have around VIII /
you please advise me what to do under I
The circumstances"
Very sad.
Isn't this sad? Alas, poor girl how
ny heart goes out to her, and how
gladly / would relieve her Of half. or
-hree-Q quarters, or All OF this burden
# pulchritude that she finds stands in
Ter way Unfortunately. In the foolish
way InaI nature runs things this is
impossible, and as this too beautiful
'reature can't divide Up her surplus
good looks with those Of US who are
mort OF EN-. the only thing left is to I
.uggest 70 her to sort OF hide her light
lnder a bushel. as it were.
j Fernaps she might dim her radiance.
70 that il would cease to dazzle man
llnd and be safe TO have around an
,Iuce II she would comb her hair in
ne present unbecOmlng mode, which is I
guaranteed TO turn spotlight on a
Yomans profile and bring out every
.eIecr In It Or she might leave her I
'owder rag at home. and permit her
lose 10 get red and shiny, or she might
ven go to the expense Of wearing Z
'unchy frocks that would make her
ook tat and frowsy, instead Of lissOme
nd wluowy. It's dead easy TO knock
u percent of Of your appearance with I
our clothes. and n this Venus viii
make a real sincere effort to disguise