Wichita eagle., 1888-04-29
A TYpEWRITER'S WOES.
COMPELLED TO STAND A BATTERY
OF PlTILESS QUESTIONS.

Experience of a Working Girl While
Hunting for a Boarding Place-Merci-
less Quizzins-"No Room for Well
Dressed Young Lady.
Il should like to give you an idea of how
we girls are treated wherever we go TO look
for boarding places in this city, said young
typewriter to a reporter the other day.
Y GU men can obtain board wherever you
please. and SO long as you pay your board
bills and behave yourselves there are no
| questions asked; but with a girl 1t is differ
ent. When l came TO New York [ was fresh
from New England, unknown and without
friends here to give me help Or hints. Con-
sequently had to hunt up a boarding place
for myself. After considerable looking
around l found quiet appearing house where
the sign stated that hall room was vacant
and that bosrders were wanted.
"ln answer to my ring u kindly looking
matron inquired my business. When l told
her that was looking for q boarding place a
visible change came over her face.
"'Who are you!' was her somewhat abrupt
question. Then she scanned me as if l were
a suspected thief, for whose capture reward
had been offered, and without giving me time
to answer this pertinent question, she con-
tinued:
Are you married9
"'No, am not said as pleasantly as my
modification would allow,
"'What do you expect to do for livingF
was her next query.
i am typewriter
"a typewriter This was said with a
sheer that might mean volumes
Have you brother in the city or any
male friend who will call on your
"'No, my family all live in Connecticut
"'Do you keep company with any young
man. Really, was beginning to lose all pa
tience, but l managed 20 say, calmly: 4 do
not, but what has that to do with the ques-
ton Of my hiring room and paying for it
in advanceF
Observation-Disclosures RESPECT.
Have you got any references?
Il don't see why l submitted to so much
quizzing That woman could beat reporter
asking questions. No. l replied, but if you
want them, suppose could get them from
home in two or three days
"'Well, guess we haven't any room now,
and, besides, I'd rather have gentlemen was
the worthy matron's decision. as she opened
the front door only TO shut 1t quickly behind
me. l think went to fully dozen places,
only to be treated in the same way. Al last
l went to the Young Woman's Christian as
ISOLATION, where l should have gone first. I
never was more thankful in my life than
when, after l had been at work for a year
and desired to change my place, one Of the
girls in our office invited me to share her
room until was able to find another place.
This may all sound very funny to you, but it
was not funny experience for me; and my
experience is by no means unusual. A man
can getrooms and board where he chooses,
without references and without questions,
but when girl tries to get board for herself,
if she is well dressed her character is doubted,
and there is no room for her; people wonder
where she gets her money If she is poorly
dressed she is naturally not wanted because
she will lower the reputation of the house.
She must. i'll self defense. marry or at least
become engaged if she has no male relative
under whose protection she IS. 1t does seem
as if something might be done for the poor
girls who come to the city in this way
There ought to be somebody willing to take
them and care for them respectfully and
economically, and do this without sacrificing
the self respect of the girl.--New York
Tribune