The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-10
DISTRESS AMONG WORKING WOMEN

SAD as were the cases OF poverty and restitution
described in these columns yesterday the half has
not been told. Narrowing details OF distress were
poured into the ears OF the HERALD representative
yesterday, which no pen could adequately de.
scribe. And the unspoken volumes of distress
which in some instances he witnessed were more
full of sorrow and sadness than those that were
told. One has only to spend a few hours In the
ONCE of the workingW omen's Protective Union NO.
IS Blocker street any day to witness scenes and
to hear tales OF woe and distress that would make
the stoutest heart quail and awaken the sympa-
thies Of the most unsympathetic for those who,
through no immediate fault OF their own, are
now suffering the pangs Of hunger; and the more
poignant arrows Of the remembrance OF former
and better condition OF life speak more loudly
through their features than the words of their
mouths. GenteeL well educated young women
60 there daily looking for employment They
eagerly clutch at even the remo.est prospect OF
earning few dollars or finding home for Them
selves, regardless OF pecuniary compensation.
They come wearing their best attire and putting
their best side outward, but when pressed they
oftentimes though very reluctantly, tell tales Of
want and poverty that seem hardly credible tn
view or their respectable department and attire
But one OF the last things woman viii give up Is
her outward respectabllity. When that is gone
hlLuOSt MI Is ROuos AucSo IOuuB WOulcu, bOO, mau-
fest degree OF
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL PRIDE
or selfrespect hardly compatible with their real
circumstances, and sometimes absolutely refuse
the pronered aid OF money or food lest their dig
nifty should be compromised and their reappear-
ance in search OF employment be misinterpreted
and initiate against them.
For instance, last Saturday Catharipe B.
an intelligent courteous young woman, applied at
the ONCE OF the Union, as she had do ne before
Her deep restitution was not known, but hunger
and want were plainly visible in her appearance
She was privately invited by one OF the ladies of
the institution to accept something to eat which
she absolutely refused, though acknowledging
that that was the third day since she had tasted
food. Money was pressed upon her then but this
was refused also, she giving as a reason that If
she must accept charity at all she would receive
1t from the city or state. Every explanation that
could be made and every persuasion that could be
used were brought TO bear upon her. but they were
OF no avail. All the aid that che would accept
from the institution was letter TO obtain for her
return passage to her home in Ireland. Her his
tory was briefly this She lived comfortably with
her brother In Ireland but on some trinng disa-
greement betw cen them she gathered up the por-
ton OF goods that Tell TO her ana came to America
her nome nie had not lifted her Tor her altered
cohdlton here and though she had q
THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE OF HoUsEwORK
ana certain branches OF fancy work. beside some
parlor accomplishments, she was not perfect or
practical In any OF these things and when she OBJ
Iaineu employment her tncapacity was very soon
detected and she was discharged. In this way
wnas sne earned Que week was spent Tue oeA'