St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-12

hear. 1t is always a noticeable fact
that "central's" voice is as sweet and
clear as chime of bells. Judging
from her tone, she is far above ali
mundane considerations; her temper
never gets ruff1ed; she had rather
say 'hello" than any other
word in the language; when of
tended, her only method of retaliation
is to preserve dignitied and unbroken
silence. 1t is quite effectual. however,
and subscribers earnestly hope that her
feminine ingenuity will not devise any
thing new in that line; the present
method is sufficiently exasperating.
have often thought of looking up the
condition OF the class of wage-workers
denominated telephone girls" but
have always been deferred by their
NAUGHTY AND ARISTOCRATIC MEN.
Among themselves they always seemed
quite capable of having a jolly time, but
let stranger approach, especially one
OF the feminine persuasion, and they
instantly assume an icy ealmneSs of de-
meanOr calculated to make even aper-
son of my age and experience flee in
fear and trembling from their pres
ence., Besides, l understand that
telephone girls have perfect hor-
ror of being classed as working
uOli hllOW just HOW UlGY
figure it, but for one of these favored
mortals to walk upon the same side of
the street or hold any conversation with
a factory grip would be to forever
lose caste with her own companions.
Being somewhat democratic in nv ideas.
and inclined to think that any girl w no
works for a living has to give long and
faithful service as an exchange for
wages received, | was rather doubtful
OF my ability to perceive the exceptional
advantages enjoyed by telephone girls.
However, screwed my courage to the
sticking point, donned my Sunday-go-
connecting attire and started to get ac-
quainted with central"
found the central Office located on
the fourth floor of that ornate structure
called the city hall. l remember when
the weary pedestrian had to climb many
and devious stairWayS in order to eX-
plore that building, but it's different
now. There's an elevator, and the hall
ways are also swept occasionally, so
that the building looks fairly clean.
At the farther end of the hallway was
little square room. The furniture
wires in big coils, chunks OF wood.
three chairs and nice mirror. A num-
Der OF girls were sitting around, read
ing, chatting or working just as their
fancy dictated. 1t wasn't time for din
ner and l couldn't see any reason for
THIS LUXURIOUS IDLENESs.
"Who are those girls and WHY don't
they wOrk?" [ asked girl as she passed
through the hallway.
She glanced at me disdainfully and
said: ''N by those are the 'relief.'''
What do you mean by 'relief?'" 1
ventured to question.
She had notion not to waste anv
time on me, but finally relented and eX-
planned: 1--WE have about twenty-five
girls working here altogether now. Six
| teen OF those have regular boards to
attend. The other nine are called the
| relief because they take the place CT
anybody who is absent or wishes to step
out few minuteS.'
why do the relief stay out in that
poky room?" | asked.
II guess it's so they can make all the
noise they want to and not bother any,
body" she said, ''but if you want to
know anything about them, why. you'd
better go and ask" was her parting adj
mOnition.
didn't take her advice just then, but
instead sought out the manager and
| asked him for place. He was quite
pleasant, and Obligingly inserted nv
name at the foot of a long list already
on hand.
How soon would be likely to get a
placer" | hopefully inquired.
lie smiled, and said it would be a