Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1913-04-04
Social Leader Sells Hats for a
Living.
Friends o. One OF Nswport's Younger
Set Surprised to Learn She 10 I'm
Trade"-Husband's Business
Reversss the Cause.

When the friends OF Mrs. Newton
Adams, leader Of Newport's younger
set, opened their mail the other morn
ing and glanced over their heap OF
invitations as they slipped their tea
they were surprised to learn that their
one.time companion in social gayeties
is now holding daily receptions IN the
millinery department Of the John
Wanamaker store.
The tall. handsome and well-known
young matron who was one OF the
most popular hostesses Of the summer
colony is helping to MI the family
purse because Of financial losses
which came recently to her and her
husband. She is working the regular
hours of any vendeuse and Is earning
a very acceptable salary selling hats In
the little French shop called Marcelle
Demay. y sE
know that Mrs. Adams brother. Fran
els H. Potter, nephew Of the late
Bishop Potter and formerly secretary
of the American legation in Madrid.
Spain, is another employe OF this
house Mr.. Potter began his business
career there a short time before Mrs.
Adams entered upon hers. In fact, 1t
was Mr.. Potter who paved the way for
his sisters entry into the world new
and strange to her.
Its ever so much nicer to be sell
ing hats than to be making boudoir
caps and pink satin pin cushions at
home" Mrs. Adams acknowledged,
when she chatted about her new work.
Some of my friends thought 1 should
do something at home instead of 60
IL. into business. l prefer this be-
cause there is more money In 1t and
it is pleasanter.
Il adore hats. They have always
been my fad. And really am enjoy
ing this new work more than anything
else l ever did.
do l find the customers disagree
able? Not at all. If you are pleasant
to those who come into the shop they
are pleasant to you"
But as Mrs. Adams is the embodi-
ment of charm and graciousness. that
may have something to do with the
pleasant reception she constantly
meets.
1--WE are sending out cards to let my
friends know where / am" Mrs.
Adams resumed. "Of course. my in
innate friends have come to see me.
and I hope the others will when they
receive the announcements"
'Why didn't you try tea room or
a shop of your own" the reporter
asked
THAT takes capital. And as had
no capital it would have meant bor-
rowing. Then, besides, you are bur.
dened by so much responsibility and
worry If you have your own shop.
Here am free from worry and every
one is charming to me-they all were,
even before they knew anything more
about me than that was new.
conner. And l am learning rapidly. e.
1--WE learned that If a woman comes
in and wants blue hat, which you
haven't in stock, and she goes out hav-
q
made good sale-good unless she re-
turns the hat the next day. And am
learning other things, too.
But seriously, this is the place to
study human nature and to get IN
close touch with human beings. It
would be a splendid thing II more
women who devote their time to So
ciety would 60 to work. The training
is excellent and it's more interesting
than teas and bridge.
Work is work, and it is rather silly
to think that you should try to do
something you cannot do merely be-
cause it is considered a little bit
nicer than something else. And don't
you think that well-bred women are
more and more going into business
There is room, and they are we'll paid.
especially in a shop like this
Mrs Adams is the mother of baby
nine months old which she leaves at
home with a maid.