St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-24

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long. 1 asked them why, and they told
me they would have to board them
selves, as they received such low wages.
'Where do you work?' | asked.
They said they packed crackers and
cookies in a large factory. There was
much dissatisfaction and murmurlng
among them, but on being asked what
was the trouble they would say: I'VE
don't have much to complain about any
more than the rest of you, and you
needn't mind asking u.s."
| noticed that they had much idle
time, and thought that wages must be
good or they couldn't pay expenses
by working two or three days in the
week, because in many places a girl
breads to lose even days pay, for that
means running in debt at the end of the
week.
l had visited their factory some time
ago. but being intent on other matters.
had not noticed the condition of the en-
pIoyes. Much questioning was of no
avail; the girls were determined not to
tell ME anything about their work, but
at last one told me the reason. She
said: 'Now you are looking for work,
and just want to listen around, find out
why we don't like where we are, then
you'll go and offer to work for less
wages and try to take our places"
''What makes you think | would do
that?" | asked in surprise.
Because there are SO many girls
looking for work now, they will work
anywhere and for any wages. If we
that are working dare to grumble at our
situation, we are made to understand
bat if.c fnyO1. n ppt work Oll 1nU oOn-
ditions."
| protested that no such merccnary
motives ever entered my head, but the
girls wouldn't believe me, and they de-
parted
LEAVING ME NO WISER.
My curiosity was aroused, and visit
to the factory was in order. The other
time that | went through nobody OBJ
jected. It's different now. Not asking
any6ody's permission, was about to
climb the many flights of stairs leading
10 the packing floor, when an Official
came running after me, saying: "What
40 you want, Miss?"
Pm going up stairs to see some girls
know'
I'VE don't allow any visitors in our
1actory." he said; ''if you have any
u. mess with the help, you can apply
t The office and the girl will be called
,.own.,'
But my business is not important, Fll
uSt go up to the girl and not bother her
20 come down."
"No you DON'T" he said; 'our rules
are Imperative: you can't, under any
circumstances, go into the work room,
unless you are an employee" l didn't
urge the matter, but departed, resolving
10 become an employe as soon as possi-
ole. was at the door at 6 o'clock as the
girls came out: by good fortune l found
one whom l had formerly known, and
she wanted to go to a picnic in few
days.
FsLet me work in your place, Mary" l
said, 'just to see what the work is
ike
Mary objected at first, but finally,
after promised to loan her pretty
sash to wear to the picnic, she consented,
but warned me specially about my con-
duct, saying: "Now, Eva, don't get in
dependent and talk back to the foreman
if he is cross, or even swears at you"
promised. Mary directed me where
10 find her working dress and what work
to do. On the appointed day [ arose at
the sinfully early hour of $50, Swal-
lowed hasty breakfast and meekly re-
quested that lunch be put up for me.
/ took the street car down town. 1t was
crowded SO | was glad to
SECURE A STRAP
and standing room. AT that hour in the
morning nearly all the factory girls
were going to work.
Are the cars always crowded like
thiS?' | asked of a girl near me. "Oh,
yes,' she replied, s'We girls always have
to stand, you see there's such a crowd
that there isn't room for all to Sit
When the conductor came along for my
nickel | objected to paying full fare
every morning for the privilege of stand
ing and being nearly crushed to death.
"Why can't the company put on extra
cars in the morning and evening?"I l de-
mandolin VirtuouS indignation. eff
pay my fare | want seat as well as the
people who come later in the day." The
conductor only smiled and collected the
fare lust the same. But the girls agreed
with me, only saying that it was no use
to make fuss, you'd only be laughed al
for your trouble. The car got off the
track once OF twice and crept along sc
slowly that it was ten minutes
after z when l arrived at the
factory. was an employe now, so was
allowed to climb the steep, dusty stair
ways leading to the work room. There
was an elevator, but notice a
the side said that it was not for the uSt
of employees.
1nC 1OOhi VIZ W.
utilizing an entire floor of the building
It was quite dirty; the bare rafter
along the ceiling and sides were black
ened and dirty. The windows evidently
were seldom washed. Long tables were
scattered about the room and were
filled with crackers or cookies, and here
they were packed. found what the!
called dressing room; it was small
closet partitioned off the main room b'
rough boards. The outside was deco
rated with hats, dresses and shoes, hung
aronnd on pegs. The inside looked 81
careless and filthy that didn't wonde
% see the clothes hung outside. foun'
Mary's working dress; it was
NOT A GOOD FIT,
deing several sizes too large, and m.
appearance was greeted with burst
laughter from about twenty girls. eX
plained that was not to blame for my
bizarre appearance. So the girls good
naturedly found me place to work a
one of the tables and showed me how t.
pack crackers into boxes. 1t was easil..
learned, but would evidently take mucl
practice in order to pack the required