THE CHARM OF THE BUSINESS WOMAN June, the month of roses and weddings, is primarily woman's month. Ask her, and she'll tell you she loves it best of all the months. This being true, she will forgive us for rapping woman's foibles rather frequently in this issue. There are many things a woman should be reminded of other than beauty recipesthings that add to her charm and her value commercially. The "new" woman has been given so many drabbings in the prints by both men and women, for her square cut coats and her mannish ties, collars and boots that it is hard to mention the independent business woman without the generally accepted picture of her coming to the reader's mind; but just let me ask you, is there in all the world any creature so refreshingly attractive as that same much abused independent woman? Does any living human being bring more common sense to bear upon the vexing condition or situation? one else so quickly get to the root of the matter and straighten out bothersome tangles and put confusion to flight? A business woman is a woman with all a woman's charm plus refreshing frankness, and minus the littleness that too Can any often mars the purely domestic woman. A business woman looks at a situation broadly-petty trifles do not obscure her vision-she is not easily upset or flustrated she has a man's wider viewpoint--she is not unduly elated or unnaturally depressed. She knows that if her plans are all swept away, she can start over again, and she will start over again with bravery and confidence. The independent woman is not cowardly. She is not afraid to face poverty. When she marries she makes the very best kind of a wife, because she knows the effort required to produce each dollar, the trials of the business day, and the necessity of a calm restful evening if the day's work is to be highly result ful. All honor to the sensible, courageous, tactful, helpful womanly independent woman. But the mannish attire-no, we must taboo that! Woman was never a more delightful personality than she is today. She has all the charms of the earlier woman, with many added graces. A woman said, "I know nothing about such people. I never associate with them." In which case her attitude of scorn was uncalled for, as knowing nothing, there was nothing for her to scorn. PEEP INTO YOUR MENTAL MIRROR Can you look at yourself mentally as you look in the glass at your physical self, and trace your pwn defects even as you can trace the faint fine lines just beginning to show in your fair skin? And after finding these defects, are you willing to set about eradicating them with as much persistence as you would use in applying cream and massage to the approaching wrinkles? If so, you have the right idea of character development and are on the road to becoming a perfect woman. It's much more satisfactory to work over the character blemishes, as they can be worked out and kept out; but the facial blemishes will creep in with advancing years, in spite of all your efforts. NOT THE ENEMY OF MEN even The business woman is by no means the enemy of the business man. Her peculiar natural capabilities, her eye for detail, her infinite patience and her intuition make her fit admirably into places that are not so well suited to men, allowing the latter to step out into other spheres where their opportunities for advancement are better. At no time in the world's history have there been so many women in business, and at ro time have there been so many splendid opportunities for men. The world is changing, all the hidden places are coming to light, and the field of operation is broadening constantly. No well equipped man is going begging for a good position today. THE WOMEN AND BERNHARDT It is certainly true that women are more attentive to small things than men. They are not so easily fooled, or so easily pleased. They see the flaws, and these flaws loom up big between them and other qualities blinding them oftimes to the more important larger facts. A man, generally speaking, gains a general impression of a picture; a woman sees the details. This was illustrated in the recent visit of the actress, Sarah Bernhardt, to America. She was entertained at a certan Chicago club where its members and their wives were invited to meet her. Almost without ex ception the men left her presence saying: "A wonderfully charming woman-wonderful that at 62 she can look so young!" The women said, "How old she looks! Such wrinkles! Such lines! Such marks of dissipation"" And both spoke as they had been impressed. The difference in the impression made lies in the fact that the men did Common-Sense NEAT 7 not go beyond her graciousness, her cordial man- A TRUE WOMAN IS ALWAYS ners and her attractive personality-they did not observe details; while the women looked upon her with the scrutinizing gaze with which they are accustomed to surveying life, and saw all the defects. Wouldn't it be a good leaf for the women to take out of the men's book, to learn to look bevond the smal! details and see the larger facts? Magnifying the importance of details is what makes women such valuable office assistants, and seeing the larger facts of life is what puts men out of these positions that call for infinite detail into larger places calling for initiative and daring. A woman should never allow wardroom space to a gown that is not becoming. She should not own a morning dress that has a sloppy appearance. It should be an impossibility for her to appear in anything but attractive clothes. And they cost no more than the other kind-it's only a matter of a little thought and care. No investment of time can bring better results than the few moments required daily to insure a neat, attractive appearance. In passing the huge monoliths of the great Marshall Field building one morning, I noticed. the women who at that hour are always on their knees scrubbing the wide stone entrance; one of THE REPELLENT POWER OF A them had the most beautifud soft wavy gray hair PEEVISH WOMAN Nothing is so unattractive as a quarrelsome, fault finding woman. In a crowded assemblage recently a woman who had evidently spent considerable time on her toilette, getting herself up with great care and much taste, attracted the attention of every one within hearing distance by her fuming and fretting because she "couldn't see"-like some spoiled child. Her beauty of appearance was lost sight of entirely by those who were drawn to her attention by her foolish complainings. No beauty of face or figure, of ribbons or lace, could have atoned for the disagreeable impression she made. Such lack of self control is lamentable; but how often it happens that a woman will spend long hours on her clothes that she may appear well and then spoil it all by petulance and ill temper. A sweet disposition in trying circumstances charms more than all the clothes and pretty effects the greatest artist on dress could possibly produce. No matter how disagreeable things may be, remember that they are just as disagreeable for othersyou are not the only one-and never show by look, word, or deed-in public-that you are displeased! This will give you attractiveness that no money can buy, and that you can acquire no matter how poor you may be. I ever looked upon. It was carried to the top of her head and twisted in a soft fluffy coil that would well grace the head of the fairest society dame. And yet there she was, down on her hands and knees, scrubbing the stone pavement alongside the other scrub women. I respected that woman from my heart of hearts, just because she respected her woman's glory, her beautiful hair. and had not allowed misfortune to harden her heart and close her eyes to her duty, as a woman, to use her gift to the best advantage. Low necks. peek-a-boo waists, and elbow sleeves are not the sensible thing for down town and office wear. There are plenty of pretty thoroughly feminine styles more suitable for street and desk. Have a good supply of neat trim shirt waists and well tailored skirts; don't wear out your old party frocks at the office-nothing is more unattractive. ONE WAY TO LOSE CHARM A woman's charm vanishes when she lets her companions realize that she is fully aware of her own attractions. A pretty, dainty, doll-like littie woman had quite captivated a dinner party of clever people in the earlier part of the evening, by her very childishness and artlessness. later, as she came to feel more at home with the company of bright literary folk, she began directing their attention to her peculiar charms in a way that made her hitherto admirers exclaim mentally, "What a little fool!" But If you know that you are unusually witty, be satisfied that you have lived up to your usual reputation-don't spoil it all by repeating some one's declaration that you are "the wittiest woman in town." If you realize that your charm is in being a pretty little doll, don't shatter the charming impression by telling your friends that those who love you best always call you "Dolly." If you are fully aware of the fact that your judgment is usually sound, don't disprove this generally accepted idea by remarking that you "seldom make a mistake in judging people." In other words, be what you are, let your light shine radiantly and fully, but don't spoil it all by telling about it. Women in every day walks of life should seriously consider these shining examples of the triumph of personality over years, and fix the idea firmly in their minds that there is no old age for the woman of broad outlook and cheerful temperament. The woman who excuses herself from all effort to keep up with the times and to be a useful member of society because she's "growing old" is the only woman who has any need to dread the accumulation of years. ODD WAYS Some women have a way of repeating compliments that have been paid them, prefixing their WOMEN WHO MAKE MONEY IN words with the remark, "Of course I know it isn't so, but Mr. So-So says--" and we know at once that she does, on the contrary, believe what Mr. So-and-So said was the very truth and gospel. Satisfy yourself with being charming, with hearing others say you are charming, but as you hold this charm dear, do not comment on it or on the remarks of others concerning it. WOMAN AND AGE Did you ever stop to think-it's always a woman who announces that another woman is no longer young men do not notice such things till some woman tells them about it. They are not aware of a woman's age, if she is attractive. The most fascinating women in the world's history have been those past forty; the great women of history have almost all been past their first youth; the useful women of all times are the well balanced, experienced ones; first youth is a beautiful attractive period of a woman's life, but it is after all only the promise of what she may le. In different nationalities the age line varies. In America a woman is young as long as she chooses to be: in India she is old when yet a child; in Spain she begins to age perceptibly at thirty; in Germany a woman of thirty is in the full bloom of her womanly charm; in France the women who ruled the court most absolutely through their personal charm and magnetism were well past forty; a famous belle of Kentucky, that state noted for its beautiful women, held her own against all comers till she was seventy; Susan B. Anthony, beloved of all noble minded. women of this generation, died during the past winter carrying to her grave a heart that beat as true and fresh with the aspirations of a beautiful life as though only on the threshold of a promising career-and she was past seventy; Ellen Terry, another stage favorite, has been fifty years on the stage, and still she has no rival among those of lesser years. Many women have an inherent distaste for the confinement of office positions, or the school room, and yet they find it absolutely necessary to earn their own livings. Enterprising women find ways of getting around this difficulty. Women seem only to need to be tested to prove their capability of handling the duties of most any position. One of the latest successes is as station agent. Some of the transportation companies are putting women in this position, having proved that she has more tact in dealing with people than have men. One young woman out in California has made much more than the most munificent salary by raising queen bees for the market. Another has found the silk worm industry a paying one. Another took up a claim in Dakota, holding a position in Chicago half the year, and living on her ranch the other half. She was finally able to get a title to it, and is now in an independent position. An enterprising young woman of Baltimore, Miss Georgia Jones, took charge of a 600 acre farm, and the first year raised one of the largest crops in that locality. She likes the work and is a success at it. Another vigorous minded woman has taken to building railroads. Her name is Mrs. Theodosia Beacham, and her home is in Vermont. She bosses the gangs of laborers and has their entire respect. She has been taking railroad contracts for nearly a cuarter of a century, so you see she is not exactly "a new woman.' Out in the western deserts another progressive woman, Mrs. Jessie Fouzer, is one of the most successful assayers in all that great country. The most experienced miners recognize her ability. and she does all the assaying for the miners in her section of the west. Many scientists claim that women are better with the microscope than men, which is, I presume, due to their close attention to detail, to the small things. Nothing is unimportant. A woman is the stage manager of one of the most successful theatres in Chicago, also in New York. ELIZABETH E. PERKINS By C. M. PERRY In every community there is usually some man or woman whose personality has made an indelible impression, a person whose characteristics. would have made them as widely loved and honored as they were known; such a woman was Elizabeth Perkins, who, quiet and unassuming in manner, ruled her little world with a gentle word, a sweet smile or a restraining look. Of some people one might use the word saintly, in describing such a character, but this term does not suit Elizabeth Perkins, not that she was not worthy of it, as used in its highest and best sense, but that it seems to take something away from the glorious humanity of the woman. She never committed follies, but she listened to tales of misconduct with that all-embracing love look in her wonderful steel grey eyes, which made people exclaim on meeting her: "What a beautiful woman!" A few comforting, encouraging words, and the culprit left her resolved to amend his ways; and only afterwards remembered that no reprimand had been given, no unsolicited advice, nothing but love and sympathy. When asked for, advice was always freely given, but never forced upon an unwilling recipient. It seems to me that this trait, with others equally tactful, must have been the secret of her power. She was essentially feminine, using her influence against all dishonesty and impurity, never aggressive, but firm and gentle. When a young woman, her beautiful contralto voice had gained the applause and won the hearts of great audiences. She travelled extensively, giving concerts all over the eastern states. When later she married and abandoned the concert stage for a quiet domestic life, then it was she carried with her the same charm of manner and her beautiful voice was freely used in giving pleasure to her church, her friends and the family circle. After ten years of happy married life, her husband suddenly died, leaving his widow with little but a home for herself and her three children, and she resolved to make her voice serve as the breadwinner. While she was making plans to either rent or sell her home, and thus be able to move to a larger city where she could find an opportunity to earn money singing, her two younger children became victims of an epidemic and, in a few months after her husband's death, she was alone in the world with her one remaining child, a beautiful daughter. Leaving her home to be rented, the bereave woman bravely started out with her little girl to begin life again among strangers. Her idea now had changed, instead of going to some large city, she decided to try to get a position in some girl's school where she could teach singing and so earn a home for herself and little daughter, while the latter was receiving her education. In a few weeks she obtained the desired position in a large boarding school for girls; where not only her own and daughter's home was secured, but a small salary. The position was a responsible one and the work incessant and wearing, but at the end of five years she found herself in possession of an extra thousand dollars to add to her little store of savings in the bank, and her daughter a well educated young woman. The mother and daughter now left the treadmill of the boarding school and made a little home for themselves in an adjacent town. My father, who had known Mrs. Perkins in her days of prosperity as a singer, and had lost sight of her after her marriage, now learned of her removal to the city in which he was living and hunted her out. He suggested that she rent a little larger house than she had intended, and take him and his son and daughter to board with them. My mother had died the year before, and it was due to this happy plan of my father that I was brought under the influence of this beautiful woman and became a member of her family for many years. I have used the adjective "beautiful" in speaking of Mrs. Perkins; every one who knew her and strangers first meeting her, always spoke of her as a "beautiful woman," but I do not believe she had really a beautiful face or figure; the angelic sweetness of expression, the really magnificent eyes. the fine skin and premature snowy white hair, with a peculiar sheen (she had been a golden haired girl and the gold seemed to linger, although the hair was perfectly white), made her appear at times dazzlingly beautiful to the group of young girls who had taken her as a model of all womanly graces. To them she was always Madame de Racamier, the ever young and beautiful. The many years of drudgery as a singing teacher in a boarding school had exhausted her naturally delicate constitution, and the weak lungs, her inheritance from New England, caused her much suffering, but the terrible paroxysms of coughing were always followed by a sweet smile and encouraging words, as if we were the sufferers, not she. After we had been in the dear little home for about six months, Mrs. Perkins decided that the time had come to spend the treasured savings, which by this time, through added interest and economies, had reached a sum which warranted her leaving America and making Germany her home for several years. The daughter had developed remarkable talent. for the piano and bid fair to become one of the great players of the world. Mrs. Perkins gave. up the little house, which had been such a haven of peace to us all, and started for Germany, but not before she had gained the consent of my father to take me with her so that, as she sweetly said, she might have two daughters and always be sure of company. This precious woman made the little German home as charming and delightful as the far-distant one in America had been. With her usual good judgment, instead of renting a furnished flat, she bought simple, pretty furniture for the little flat we secured in a desirable part of the city, and several vears later when we left Germany, she was able to sell it to those taking our apartment, so that our expenses were much lighter than they would have been had we followed the usual custom of Americans living in Europe. After four years of constant practice, just as she was ready to make her appearance in concert, the daughter's health commenced to fail and in a few weeks her right arm became paralyzed and thus the idea of being a concert player was given up. There was nothing to be done now but to return to America. Before returning to America Mrs. Perkins insisted upon her daughter's taking a trip to Italy. with some friends, and when she returned from this outing, they started for New York, where they had decided to live in the quiet way their circumstances would dictate. As we count success in this world, her life could hardly be called a successful one; and still I think all who knew this grand woman would consider a life passed as hers was, and influencing her world as it did, eminently successful. Her courage amidst poverty, death. defeat of cherished hopes is an inspiration to other women who feel that their lot is hard. Before closing this little sketch of a character which stands apart in my experience of people, I should like to relate an incident that made a great impression upon me. A few years before my dear friend passed away, I was spending the winter with her in the mountains of California. The troublesome cough was giving us much anxiety, and we thought a winter in the life-giving pine forests might give her some relief. We were occupying a little cabin at some distance from the main road and never had had inexpected guests. One day we heard carriage wheels and when the buggy appeared a man alighted and knocked at our door. On my ans 1 wering the summons, the gentleman asked to see Mrs. Perkins, giving his name, but adding that it was unknown to Mrs. Perkins, although he had known her many years ago. When Mrs. Perkins appeared and held out her hand in hospitable greeting, the gentleman took it, bent over it and kissed it as he would have kissed the hand of a queen. He then explained his presence. As a lad he had heard Mrs. Perkins sing, and on hearing that she was living in California he had made a long journey in order to see her, to thank her for the pleasure she had given him when a boy, and, if possible, to hear again that voice which had touched his heart as no other voice had ever done. The dear invalid, who never refused a request if it was in her power to grant it, sang song after song and hymn after hymn for the stranger. As she sang, the freshness of youth seemed to return to her voice and I, who had only heard her sing after she considered her voice gone, realized more than ever what she had sacrificed in wearing out this splendid organ in the drudgery of teaching heedless girls. Our new friend left us fully repaid for his long journey and expressing his gratitude for the effort Mrs. Perkins had made for him. This was only one of many incidents of a like nature. What the people don't see must be reckoned by what they do see. First impressions begin lasting impres sions. The method of serving is as important as the quality of the served. The poor well served may taste as well as the good thrown together. In good goods, good appearances, and good surroundings is the trinity of success. The inside of most everything is purchased by the appearance of the outside of it. The apples in the barrel should be evenly distributed but all the poor apples shouldn't be on top. So long as the inside is inside of the outside, the looks of the outside must mirror the value of the inside. What is, is, and what will be, will be, and he who succeeds in business must balance every part of his business that each part may attend to its own business and assist the other parts in minding their business. |