Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-06-26
..Put Yourself In kais Place.. 5,

Editor .SdF:-In your issue OF last Saturday
find notice OF .Inoye;ncnt made some years
ago by some kindly disposed ladies TO induce
managers OF large stores to provide seats for
the young women employed behind the count
ers"-but that nothing had been done in that
direction, as IL was said, women, who were
only too glad to avail themselves OF the seats on
tne1r side OF the counter. strongly objected to
those who were serving them sitting doyn."
This may have been the reason why nothing
has been gained In this direction bnJ strongly
suspect What have heard to be the truth: viz
tnat the employers would not consent as 1t
looked as though their business was dull II the
saIeSwoInen were seated when customers came
H." However that may be, let us hope that
the movement In England will soon obtain
here. Physicians are endeavoring to prevent
their patients from trading at stores where the
employees are compelled to stand at the counters
all day. Women should certainly have consid-
Grafton enough for themselves TO protect them
from all diScOmfOrtS possible.
There Is another evil mentioned In your
paper, and one to which desire to call the at
JentiOn of the women of this city, especially
those who are employed in the departments
Evil is wrought BY want of thought
Aswen IS want II heart"
And the suffering caused by thOuphtIeSS selfish
ness Is as great as that which is Intentional
1 refer to the LATE hours to which the stores are
Kept open, and on account OF which the en-
pioy eS-WoneD. and Tlt SIS welfare detained
al their places or business | am told that the
department women have petitioned TO keep the
stores open until O'clock or after in order that
tkfY, tearing their trOrE' az 4 O'clock can 90
home. eat their dinner leisureiy dress and stroll
out 10 shop in the cool CT the evening. ] know
two young women who are employed In a store
Going large business in this city. who did not
reach their boarding place last Saturday night
until quarter to O'clock. and then so utterly
exhausted by their Il hours work they could
not eat their dinner. They are obliged to be at
their place OF business at O'Clock @. IN. The
Ostens1ble hour for leaving is o'clock, but
they cannot leave or cover up their goods at
mat hour IL customer is 10 the store: and a
few INDECENT women. siragg ling along on the
&NtLue, pl1clGg goods. may be the means of
stealing half or three quarters of an hour from
the time or these already overworked women
Let the women I'm the departments consider
how seriously LfeY would feel the Injustice OF
bting kept at thru desks an hour after O'Clock
Dy work which could Lave been given them
earlier, and thus putting themselves In the
place OF those less favored as 10 time or wages
einpio! ed In stores, do their shopping al 4ock
Oh Their way home from Office, or, using little
ICcgn emf. plan TO do their buying on SATURDAY.
Wien their Offices close at O'Clock III not VIII
ling TO do this, then Indeed do women deServe;to
rest under the stigma so long attached to
w0nan-that she is less considerable or chartta-
DE TO her own sex than Is man. Think of these
young women and men In the stores. No time
1or them TO take advantage OF the pleasant
evening excursions on the river; too tired, after
iociock, eating dinner and dressing, to stroll In
the beautiful parks, visit with friends or enjoy
anything In life. Nothing but the dull tread
mill OF work, work, work, T.. HIS
WASHINGTON, June q. 1880