A LADY FOR SALE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 856, 23 June 1910, Page 4

A LADY FOR SALE.

Four years ago a Chicago lady typist named Elizabeth Magie created astonishing excitement throughout the country by publishing a local half-column advertisement, announcing hersell “ for sale to the highest bidder/’ The language she employed indicated that she was a woman of unusual ability, and the result was that an army of Chicago reporters invaded her home, and she explained that the brains of an industrial slave were at the disposal of the employer who valued them the most highly. Within a few days she secured international attention. She was invited to lecture all over the country. She wrote a book called " The Slave Triumph.” She is now a dramatic reciter in large demand, she invents and patents toys for children in her odd moments, and is generally earning a most substantial income. She is still unmarried, but publication of the fact that she is now living in luxury will bring her offers of marriage from every point of the compass. Whether or not this will appeal to her heart it will certainly appeal to her sense of humour. The advertisement which has given Miss Magie fame and fortune contained the following sentence :

“ For sale to the highest bidder, young woman, American, slave, intelligent, refined, honest, just, poetical, philosophical, broadminded, big-souled, and womanly above all things. “Brunette, large grey-green eyes, full, passionate lips, splendid teeth ; not beautiful, but attractive, but full of character and strength. Height sft 3m, well proportioned, graceful, supple. Had a 10,000 dollar education, but can only earn ten dollars a week.

“Age —well, she is not very old, but was not born yesterday. Artistic temperament, warm, generous-hearted, kind, gentle, affectionate, bubbling over with merriment, and withal dignified, sedate, studious, and sometimes bowed down with grief at the miseries of humanity. Can appreciate a good story and tell a better ; is not a bit prudish, yet is deeply religious, though not pious ; has a vivid imagination, and unusual psychic powers.

“ Cannot sew a little bit, but can plan a dashing costume. Cannot tell plank steak from porterhouse, but can arrange a swell dinner. Doesn’t go to church, but obeys the laws of God. Cannot cook, but can create.

‘ ‘ Eongs for silk underwear, but has to put up with cotton, while shallow-pated ladies air themselves and their lapdogs in 5000dollar automobiles. She is a crackerjack typewriter, but typewriting is hell.

“ Has Axminster tastes and rag-carpet opportunities. “ This young woman, therefore, in offering herself for sale, is doing nothing but what hundreds otjwomen are doing every day. In this case, however, the slave has given more than ordinary thought and consideration to her condition and the cause of it, and instead of offering herself for sale privately she does so openly and publicly, in the hope of bringing a larger price than might be obtained at a private sale.” Her hope appears to have been abundantly realised.