St. Paul daily globe., 1888-08-19
system of management will improve

with increasing experience.
Next in order after the salesroem is
the lunch department.. The tables are
nicely laid with spotless linen and deli
cate china. Waiter girls, wearing white
caps and aprons, look after the comfort
of the hungry from IL 80 a. m; till p:
m. each day. The food served is good
in quality, but the quantity is rather
slim. A well-appointed kitchen and
good cooks furnish whatever is needed
besides that brought in by depOsjtorS.
1t is hardly so satisfactory to dine at the
exchange as at a frst-class restaurant,
because the walters are SO few that peO-
pie get tired of
SHARPENING THEIR APPETITES
on glass of water, which is the only
sustenance available, while waiting for
the orders to be served. Then the prices
are at least 20 per cent higher than for
the same sort of meals elsewhere. I'm
less permeated by the spirit Of philan-
thropy or prohibition, most people would
decline to invest their spare cash in
order to support the exchange. speak
OF prohibition because clause in the
rules forbids the use or sale of food con-
tanning spirituous liquors. So the pro-
hibitionist may dine there with clear
conscience.
A little sign on one of the showcases
announces that there is parlor up
stairs, where any lady may retire to
rest and read. Ascending a long stair
way the visitor finds miniature kitchen
and dining room, separated from the par
Ior only by heavy draperies. The dining
room is for the use of working women.
The tables are neatly laid, and any girl
may eat her lunch at a table without
charge. All sorts of scent and 10-cent
orders are served here. Nearly all the
girls bring part of their lunch and order
anything they want to complete it. The
scent dishes are so tiny that one has to
look twice in order to see if the waiter
hasn't made a mistake and only brought
an empty dish. Orders are served even
more slowly than down stairs. but the
working girls have so much sympathy
for the one overwOrked waiter and her
little assistant that they seldom com.
plain. 1t is said that this waiter girl
has to keep the parlor tidy, wash dishes
and wait on table during seven hours
each day for the munificent sum of $3
weekly. She is quite grateful for this.
because formerly her wages were only
$3.50 week.
The parlor is furnished with carpet
and hangings of gobelin blue. A sofa
and several rocking chairs are provided
for the weary. There is also piano,
but it does not add 10 the attractions of
the parlor to always have some amateur
endeavoring to execute the latest opera,
while others are trying to read or write.
The large bookcase forms leading
attraction of this room. The Century
and few other magazines are supplied.
The collection of reading matter is not
as yet varied or extensive, the books
being rather of the gOody-goody order.
Several friends of the Institution have
contributed all the books which they
could spare. Working girls take an in
terest in reading during their spare mo-
ments, and it would be help in form
ing
HIGH STANDARD OF TASTE
among such if people who are inter
ested in such matters would contribute
not only harmless literature. but also
full to those whose opportunities for such
culture are but few.
Clerks and bOokkeepers are almost
the only class of girls who frequent this
lunch room and parlor. Many other
classes of workers would find it a more
pleasant place than that provided by
their employers. There seems to be
such distinct flavor of charity pervad-
ing the atmosphere about the exchange
that the girls are little doubtful about
accepting its accommodation. After
the untiring efforts of its directors to
establish and keep up this benevolent
scheme, it is truly sad to see these stiff
necked and pref udiced working girls re-
fuse to accept its benefits through a
mistaken pride, because the people who
extend a helping hand are those who
can well afford to give out of their
abundance; but it's strange how quickly
working people resent either patronage
or pity from the wealthier classes.
InQ nnual fQatl1rn nf tho nvah ic
its mending department, whereby bach-
elors may save their sweet dispositions
from being ruined, and at the same time
aid some needy SeamStreSS, by giving
out their mending instead of wrestling
with it by themselves.
After visiting every department of
the exchange, l felt convinced that it
furnishes employment to many women,
especially those who are skillful cooks
and can please the popular taste: AS
either, a membership or depOsitOr'S
card can be obtained by paying the
nominal sum of 81 per year; it follows
that many
HoUSEKEEPERS TAKE PRIDE
in sending their best work to the eX-
change aud thereby make neat sum
for the work of their spare hours. A
loan fund has recently been established
to enable INDECENT women to purchase
material in order to enter work. The
loan is to be paid as soon as possible.
The exchange has prospered greatly
since it humble beginning several years
ago, Business houses are always.liberal
| in their donation and patronage. The
| cash receipts are said to compare most
| fayorably with those of similar institu-
| tions in large cities.
A large number of Christian ladies
| take an interest in this work and, it is
claimed that much more good could be
accomplished in every way if the ladies
| who are interested in charitable pro-
| jects would become corporate members
! and give all the aid in their power.
| Genius and Talent.
| The man nossesSeS talent hut oaniuS