The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14
THE WHOLE STORY.

To THE EDITOR OF rHE HERALD
Believing that nine-tenths of the injustice Of this
world comes from lack of comprehension. rather
than absolute sc!fshness want to state the ferry
boat and street car trouble in behalf of my for
the consideration Of the gentlemen who read your
paper. I . working woman. who works two
hours a day longer than most of the mon who &C.
cupy the seats in ladies' cabins and street 1t
takes forty minutes to so from place of business
to my house. As l cannot crowd to the iron gate
and dodge ahead. like the men. and seat in
that way. stand up every night the whole distance
excepting those rare occasions when gentle
man--whom Heaven bless and prospcr-happens to
take pity ON me. My days work is OF exhausting
nature and performed under the eye of hard
taxmaster To buy lunch of the quantity
and quality which you gentlemen have would
take more than half my days earnings. mention
this not by way of compaint-for no one can be q
working woman and remain honest who does not
become q perfect stole regards every kind of
pleasure-but TO show that, besides ovcrwork, the
workers compelled reduces our vitality that.
whereas our strength WAS in the beginning. ~ COM
pared to mans say three to Ave. 1t is now as two
work not healthily tired, but thoroughly
used up. Standing in and boats drains our en-
ergies to the equivalent of additional two hours
work. Ask any working woman or Intelligent physi-
clan IL do not understate the rather than over
state it, Our feet are small and our bodies put
gethcr for other purposes than for long endurance
in standing position. We suffer. gentemen. that
your taste may not be offended by the uncleaniness
This much all occasions. There are besides. as
you should know, frequent times In the physical
lite OF "a woman when who work and are not able
TO tighten daily ta@ks obliged to pursue them
great PAIN and to tho injury OF our consttu-
lions. At such times IL is torture to be obliged to
stand and be jostled in a moving vehicle. Your
wives aud daug hters remain quietly ut home and
take the rest that is enjoined by every physician
upon those women who would retain their health.
| We cannot do So We cannot change either our or
panzation or tho necessity of earning bread at
| a terrible disadvantage What we lack In strength
we are Obliged to make up In pluck and endurance.
or course our lives shortened by just 80 much.
Now, IL IL worth while, gentlemen. to add to our
burdens? Would it not be q fine action for
you who give literally IN money TO help
the pauper poor to give also OF your thought
and care to see that the working poor have
something approaching fair chance2 Justice from
the transit companies is long in coming. though
seats will in the end be furnished for those who
vive till that time. But In the meanwhile what IL
out OF the hundreds that read this letter q few
should mako It practice to give up their seats to
women of my class? Many of us are ladies born and
bred. and know how to appreciate o courtesy As to
you who make this little sacrifice. II you gentle
men, philosophers or Christians, the action will
equally adorn your character. 1t will be none the
worse for you in this world or the next. ''Inas-
much Jesus Christ says, 70 have done IL TO the
least Of these, 70 have done II unto me-"
A WORKING WOMAN.