Daily Republican., 1884-05-13
uow Ono woman Learned Tels'
grnphy.

.cbools we're not as common then as
thew are now. Neither were female
.isoraphers. This maiden was much
iike other nice girls that have their own
l;vino 10 make, except she had will
That would carry her around the world
II she bad made up her mind to 60:
She was saleswoman in shop, and
cot, perhaps, tbres dollars q week.
Sany girls remain salesw omen at three
dollars a week for half dozen years
or more, signing for change, but only
siuhing. This one resolved AMI worked.
S6e determined to learn telegraphy.
M way seemed open. The Offices in
,hs G ity where she was did not take ap-
nrentices, and If they had done 30
thsv would not have seen their way
clear to taking female apprentices
Bnt Miss Dash was not to be dsunted.
The manager of one of the Off ces said
to her:
There Is no opening We could make
for you unless you would take the place
of one of the check boys, but OF course
YOU could not do that"
i" OF course ! can, then, and l will, y
answered Miss Dash.
1t was given to her, and next morning
this tall, grown young woman oegah
carving messages from one part OF the
office 10 another, running errands, and
in all respects doing a boys work. she
was paid at first, II one remen Uers
right, about $3.50 week. The en-
ployees made great eyes at first, for the
like was unheard OF. But Miss Dash
went on quietly, kept her eyes and ears
open, and meddled with nobody. Long
before ,lay light of the dark, cold winter
mornings, she was obliged to leave
home TO bs at her post by 7.
But presently there came an oPpor-
tuuity for her to learn what the click
ing Of the wires said. She had her
mind set on that, and, as always, kept
her eyes and ears open. Her duties
were not pleasant, for boys are not
angels no more are men. But MISS
Dash devoted herself purely to business
and ignored what was not pleasant.
II could do her no harm, because she
paid no heed to it. In due course OF
time she had learned her trade. Then
matters became easier.
A place was found for her without
trouble in q prominent business house.
Here, az everywhere, she was faithful
to every charge, and worked with en-.
thusiastic industry. In time wages
were raised. BY and by, too, she was
given other work along with her tele-
graphing, which increased her pay to
almost princely sum compared with
the pitifully low wages most women
get. Indeed the young woman IL now
in position where she could support a
husband if she had one. She really
does help support her mother and faInl-
ly, however. like the good daughter she
is. If the truth was known, more than
half the girls and women who work Tor
nav have others than themselves to feed
and clOthe.
When she had left the shop in which
she had been, many of the girls there
nudged ono another's elbows, vowed
she was dlsgracing herself, and in.
formed one another that Martha Dash
never was like the other girls, which
was true, and compliment to her,
although they did not intend it in thai
way. Most of these friends who did
not approve her conduct are saleswomsn
dJ IhItc "CSn boiii' 'Ac'
present position looks like an earthly
paradise to them. But Miss Dash Ii
not yet satisfied. She works as hard al
ever. Now she is studying steno
graphy and type writing.
She says she intends to continue
learning and be',oming more capable IL
business till she can command 81 600 a
year. She will do it, too. That is moi
a fabulous fortune, but 1t is good
round sum for a woman to earn. AS II
Is, though she is quite comfortable. She
says sometimes to other girls : keeT
pushing on till you can do work that il
worth something. Keep your courage
up. Don't stay where you are put, fret
ting and waiting for something to turI
up to improve your position. Nothing
will happen until you make it happen
Particularly don't sit down. and wal
till che" comes along. Maybe he won
come.