St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-30


s.: $50. &: So: So; 8; I:
edges and a
Quaint little monogram on each sheet
/ handled the missive quite carefully
for fear my rough hands would soil it,
but finally concluded there could be no
harm in reading its contents. as 1t was
addressed to me. Here's copy of 1t:
MINNEAPoLIs, MIMI, Sept, "A, 1888.
Miss Eva Gay, Globe office: l see
by your last letter that you have been
Investigating the work and wages OF
lady StenOgraphers. | don't think you
treated us fairly. You just talked about
the business colleges and those girls
who hadn't any places. You hardly
mentioned those who have nice places.
l think you ought 10 say how we look
and what we wear and how we talk,
lust as you did about some of the other
girls. We stenOgraphers are proud of
our positions, and |, for one, will show
you the bright side of our life if you
will cali or address Belle W, No. -
Hennepin avenue, city. Yours truly,
BELLE.
That letter challenged my admiration.
1t was written in such pretty, bust
neSS-like hand. and the writer evidently
thought that everybody'S lot was cast in
pleasant lines because she hadn't yet
found the crumpled rOSelcaf in her
own. | hope she will excuse my appar-
ent dlScOurtesy IN not aYailing myself
of the opportunity so kindly offered.
To tell the truth, | couldn't think of
penciling note on scratch paper III
my naturally wretched handwriting.
The contrast would be unfavOrable, and
never can find time to indulge in fash
iOnable whimS. Although some time,
when l succeed i'll getting good pay
ing position, I'm going to eXpend every
nickel in fine raiment and expensive
bric-a-brac. Then will | indite per-
fumed notes to my friends, wear
bouquet of natural flowers every day,
board at fashionable reStaurant-but
those are air castles not likely to soon
become solid reality. Eve been around
to see Belle and several other of the
dear girls during the last week, and
have observed them carefully.
Belle is a SWeet-tempered, handsome
blonde. She has real golden hair, not
a tint produced by an application of
hydrogen peroxide, but the real article,
that l can't be successfully initiated.
Her clear blue eyes look out from their
long-fringed lids with that innocent
and care-free expression which would
make the plaineSt face attractive. Her
complexion is fair and delicate as the
petals of a lily. At least it will be
when she gets off the tan and freckleS
acquired during her summer vacation.
Summer vacatiOn!" do | hear some
of my associates in the factory eX-
claim? It's true, girls. Some StenOg-
rapherS get a vacation, just like the
school teachers, and l have even found
an occasional employer who gives his
Stenographer a weeks vacation and lets
her pay go on just the same.
Belle has a lot of pretty dresses. She
wears different one every day in the
week. The day saw her first she wore
a suit of myrtle green brOadclOth, elab-
orately trimmed with black soutache
braid. A gold watch, diamond rings
and earrings are a part of her daily at
tire. ShO goes to the theater at least
one evening in the week land to recep-
tions or balls without number. She has
beautiful and appropriate dresses for
all occasions.
1t puzzled me for a few moments to
divine by what magic this dainty Great
ure'S wants were supplied, but she
said: "Why, papa sent ME to school
until | graduated. Then he paid my
expenses at the business college and
procured me this place in friends Of
flee. OF course | only am paid S35 a
month, and occasionally have to borrow
some from papa"
Il suppose you buy your own
dresseS?' l questioned.
'sHow could I!'' she eXclaims. "My
bill for dresses is sometimes over 500 a
month. Papa expects to pay that, and |
use my salary for pocket money. 1t
isn't half what I'd like, either" she
comments with pOut.
| heard her tell friend how she
spends the money. Her hands must be
nanicured twice q week, a hairdressel
curls her bangs in the most approved
mode. Dainty midday lunches, chOcO
late creams, bouquets and car fare are
necessary adjunctS to her comfort.
saw Bellies home. 1t is palatia!
mansion, filled with richly upholstered
furniture, soft carpets and artistic pict
ures. Open fireplaces and light from
soft-tinted globes completed a picture
which is not easily forgotten. Belle was
right. had not told the girls that there
are many of whom she is fair type
they have luxurious homes, and neeC
NOT TO think of how food, raiment OF
shelter shall be provided, but are Otter
lauded for their ambitious and indie
pendent desire to earn their own pocke
money. After learning stenography
they can easily command enough in
paving from S25 to $40 per month.
it wouldn't be proper to call this elias!
working girls. They are, however, in
teresting to the working girl, because
they fill places wifh are h III tesrc eye
work.
had been viewing Bellies pleasant
home from the pavement outside. L
was raining slightly, and and a chill!
wind reminded the pedestrian that TIT
meianchoIv DAYS are come. Meditatins
on the various strange phases of life.
was walking quickly in the direction o
my own humble boarding house, whel
/ met a young girl crying bitterly
whats the matteI"' L asked, as sh'
turned aside 10 let me pass.
.Tm hungry and cold and Eve III
place to go,' she stammered between
her sObs. =,
Pm hardened to seeing poor. girls, bn
hadn't met case of downright destl