The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-12-23
GIRLS IN NEW YORK.
HOW and WHERE THEY CAY
LIVE CHEAPLY.
Informa' on Sf Interest to Fair ones
Who Propose to Study in the Metropo-
DISTINGUISHING independence OF the
American Girl.
[speclal correspondenee.l

educated, lnd0lent ana ueIcdte' NV1"A0A
standing her Ignorance she would not be con-
tent to do household work, nor would she inn
prove her delicate health by resorting to those
outdoor sports which have since become SO
popular The girls of twenty-five years ago
were not ambitious. Few thought of making
a career, but those who did, found the stage to
be about the only profession open to them,
and devotion to that almost carried disgrace
along with it, Indeed the young woman VINO
thought to earn lar own living might count
upon the contempt Of the world instead OF
plaudits for her pluck and independence.
Now it is better. The American girl has
pushed her way into the ranks of earners and
all that is now asked of the fair toilers OF the
land is that they shall be "skilled" in what
ever trade or profession they may elect to
follow Hence it comes that the collegiate
institutions of Europe are crowded with our
countrywomen studying to become singers,
painters dramatic artists, physicians and
teachers.
The rush to the institutions of learning in
New York is even greater than to those in
foreign countries. The Cooper Union free
art school for women yearly admits to its
classes 424 pupils, and rejects for want OF
room more than 700.
l have been making some inquiries as to
how the girls manage who come here with
only little money to pay for tuition and
living expenses, and give the result for the
benefit of the fair toilers of the future who
wish to acquire their education in New York.
Boarding is the chief item of expense. In
the average respectable boarding house 81
week is as low as young girl can Obtain
board for, and this only pays for hall room,
on the upper floor, without fire.
Clearly this will not do for the young stu
dent who must make little money last
long time and get as much comfort out OF 1t
as possible. Therefore she had better go to
one of those boarding houses which have
been established to cater to this class. There
are very few of them, and all require
recommendation OF other guarantee Of re-
spectability from the would-be boarder
First in size and Importance comes the
"Home for Young Women No. n North
Washington square. There are two houses,
containing rooms for eighty-six young girls
The board is So week, including fire and
gas, or may go as high as ST. So or Sc, &C
cording to the room occupied Washing is
done there for fifty cents per dozen, just bali
the usual price. Young ladies are allowed
to receive visitors in the parols This house
is closed at 1890 p. m, except TO such as
have permission to be out later The houses
are of the large, old fashioned style, roomy,
sunny and cheerful, well furnished and thp
food good and substantial.
Washington square is about the only
square in New York whose beauty has not
been married by trade. The fine old man
sions fronting upon it are mainly occupied
by people Of wealth and refinement among
them being the famous Mrs, Hicks-Iord and
Sir Roderick Cameron.
A few squares away from this home, IN one
of the busiest streets of the city is Miss
Leggatts boarding house, No go Clinton
place, Eighth street. 1t was opened some
years ago solely for the accommodation of
working women, but has lost us distinctive
character. However, it still receives young
women, which not all the boarding houses
will do, and many of the hotels positively de
cline them as guest.
Board is rather heap at Miss Leggatt's,
good large room, comfortably furnished, and
good, plain able are supplied for 50 a week
for two IL a room. A line of cars passes the
DOORS and Broadway is but couple of
squares dIstano.
| was much impressed with the pleasant
appearance and accounts of "The Laura
Home for Young Women" No. 100 Second
avenue, another good locality. Second ave-
nue. was originally intended to be what Fifth
avenue s-the aristocratic avenue of New
York. "The Laura Home" was established (
by the Rev. ID. G. Potter from purely philan-
thropic motives namely, to provide a shelter
and home in every sense for young girls with
win e.,
sef-maintenance. Although under the super
vision of a minister, Laura Home is non
sectarian, and there are fewer rules to be OBJ
served than in the other homes [ visited.
Girls are allowed to receive in the parlor calls
from even a-sweetheart; but here, as else
where, testimonials of good character are in
dspensable to obtaining admittance Board
costs from 50 to So per week, according to
the room occupied, alone or with another
girl. Table first class
For those who cannot pay these prices |
would recommend the Girls Endeayor club
house, No. 2IS West Fourth street. The
house is plainly but comfortably furnished,
clean and well kept. Single rooms, SO per
week; double rooms, S4 fire, gas, the use OF
the kitchen and all its utensils included in the
charge for lodging The girls buy and cook
their own food and thereby avoid paying for
meals they do not eat a great saving for
those who are obliged to be absent from honae
all day. Say they are studying at the art
school i'll tire Cooper Union In the TOP of
that building there is lunch room, where. for
only twenty cents a week, hot chocolate and
milk, tea and coffee are supplied to the pupils
who are allowed to bring the solid part OF
their lunch with them. In the Girls club
Eouse vaiious trades are taught for nominal
price This winter they have class in
artificial flower making, trade that some
years ago furnished employment to numbers
Of grs in all the large cities of the United
States
In all these "Houses" musical and literary
entert ,innents are provided in the evenings
to ms &c the time pass agreeably and proiita-
bly,. Almost every kind of working women
will De found sheltered within these walig
from the art pupil to the seamstress. Those
intending to be manual working women are
mostly drawn from places around themetropo
lis, while the future followers of tho higher
professions, such as medicine and art. come
from the different states, and, having com
pleted their course of studies, they generally
scatter to their homes. A recent girl gradu-
ate from the Cooper Union has Established a
u p FNnrh NtFf.ast - M