St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-02
Eva Gay Investigates the
Girls Who Are Employed
as Store Cashiers.
AS a Rule the Work Is Hard,
Pay Small and Hours
Very Long.
Trials and Tribulations Of
One Of the Craft Poured
Into Her Ear.
The Supply Largely Exceeds
the Demand and the
Girls Are Cautious,

For several weeks past I've be en- in
terviewing the girl who handles the
cash whenever L could find fitting OPP
portunity to do so, and, as result, have
heard more stories of real life than
would fill modern novel. Some have
their humorous aspects, but nearly all
are the same old tale, heard in every
branch of lab or, of low wages, long
hours and all the attendant discomforts
of such conditions.
After have heard the discontinued
clerk. or shop girl, say: "Now, if L
could only get a place as cashier in
some store, how much better off I'd be-. :"
"What makes you think that it's such
easy work to be cashier?" l asked of
girl who had never tried it.
"Why, you don't have anything to do
but wear pretty dress, count out some
change, and fiirt with all the travelling
men," was her comprehensive idea of
the situation.
A trip among the Nicollet avenue
stores, which have one or more youn g
ladies as cashiers, gave me an insight
into their real life. l happened to be
acquainted with several, but they were
all so busy sticking checks on a spindle
and counting cash that they had
NO TIME TO TALK.
l always have lots of time to waste,
when it's necessary, so l waited for one
until, work being dOLe, she was hurry
ing home TO her evening lunch.
AS L sauntered up to talk with her, l
noted with surprise that she looked
downright shabby; her shoes were
patched, dress threadbare, and surely
her hat and gloves had seen more than
this seasons wear. Mentally resolving
to find out what had caused this change
in my friends former tasteful attire, |
said: Good evening, Nellie, won't
you come with me for a lunch?"
She made several excuses, but 1
finally induced her to come along.
After a little talk about old times, l
said: II see you have place as cash
Ter, Nellie; how many hours do you
have to work there?" ''Oh, Just the
same as the clerks" she said, "about
nine hours, but it's much harder work,
and doesn't pay very well, either"
whats hard about it?' l said.
"a good many things; for instance,
if there's the slightest mistake, the
clerk is always anxious to put it on the
cashier; then, in busy times, the pro-
prietor and tlOorwalkers always think it
their solemn duty to keep an eye on the
cashier in order to see that she keeps
both hands busy" she answered.
swell, L suppose you're paid for
the express purpose of making your
self useful, much after the same fash
ion as machine would, if one could be
procured to do the work." 1 laughingly
remarked.
That does seem to be about the way
of it," said Nellie, with sigh. II sit
in little glass cage all day; have gas
light instead of sunshine or daylight:
in winter freeze and in summer it's
the extreme of heat. Then, when
there's rush of business, l have to fix
my whole attention on the cash, because
few mistakes would result in my dis
charge. If counterfeit or plugged
money happens to come in, without
being noticed, it is taken out of my sal
airy, and l can't afford that"
by the way, how much pay do you
get?' / inquired.
She colored and was silent awhile, but
finally said: Ppm just going to tell you
the truth about it, Eva. L only get S25
a month, that is, if l am not late or care
less in any way. My mother is an in
valid and my sister hasn't been able to
get work for nearly four months. We
hire two rooms in block and the S25
month that earn has to pay our rent
and support us. Mother tries to do a
little sewing, but she is hardly able.
My sister isn't strong, but could do
bookkeeping or office work."
81 shouldn't think it would be hard to
get work of that kind" l interrupted.
You don't know how many girls are
looking for any sort of Office work." she
said, YEARLY. "Why, it's almost i'm
possible to get place unless
SOME INFLUENTIAL PERSON
recommends you, but my sister answers |
every advertisement and hopes to get |
work before winter. Well Just starye |
II she don't. Why, even now, 1 never |
dare spend cent for car fare or lunch. |
and the proprietor at the store told me |
if didn't wear better dress that he |
would be obliged to discharge me, as it
hurt his business to have a girl at the |
desk looking like ragamuffin."
would it do any good to explain
your circumstances and ask for an adj
vance OF wagesr' l suggested, thinking
that in reality her work was worth more
than the amount paid.
"Oh, no, indeed, that wouldn't do at.
all" said Nellie in alarm, there are
many girls who live at home and would |
be glad TO get place like mine. In |
fact, some good customers have spoken
to the manager, asking place for their
friends, and he only lets me stay on.
of doing extra good work. So
you see Pm very lucky to be kept at
ALL"
"All the girls think that being cashier
is fine work, probably they would
change their mind after an experience
like yours" suggested.
Eyes, think they would" she said:
for even leaving my financial difficult
ties out OF the question, one who has |
never tried it can hardly realize how
hard it is to be shut in cage all dav.
without the privilege of speaking to a
friend for fear of neglecting work.
Then the clerks all have their own
cliques, and are either too envious or
too careless to extend much courtesy to
their companions at the desk. Then i'm
large stores the cashier is sure to be
rushed from 10 in the morning until
closing time. Some evenings | come out
INTO the street so weary that it seems
almost 80
IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK HOME.
"Then even if I could dress we'll
enough, Pm too tired to go anywhere
evenings or Sundays"
"What are you going to do about itg'
| asked.
mo girl can do anything about II.
,nly be thankful to have some sortof
/ place." said Nellie. So after finish
ng our lunch we parted, and / took z6e- /
'asion to see some other girls in the
same business.
In many stores the elevated cash rail
way puts the cashier up in box near