The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-08-18
TEMPORARY HOMES FOR WORK
WOMEN.
By VIRGINIA PENNY.
(Chicago.)

In our large cities there are thou
sands Of ffemales,engaged in varions en-
ployments, and day after day more
come in. Many of them are without
friends or even acquaintances. Per-
haps they think as the city is large there
must be many openings for employ
ment, and to get there is all that is
sufficient. My attention has been
drawn to this subject by many cases
that, from time to time, have come
Immediately under my observation.
Among the number l will mention
only few.
Sometime ago, was On boat COM
ing to st. Louis. Among the passen-
gers in the ladies' cabin, observed a
girl about sixteen, judge, plainly
and neatly dressed. She looked sad and
lonely, but I supposed was travelling
with some one. While standing on the
guards as the boat drew near the city,
a pleasant little lady pointed out to me
in the city her fathers residence. Then
l made some inquiry in regard to the
the different buildings, whose spires
loomed above that great and proud
city. Our desultory talk ran from one
subject to another, until the lady re-
marked, "there is a young woman on
the boat that has aroused my sym
pathy. She tells me she is coming
to st. Louis 10 seek employment as
a seamstress, and on inquiry, | learned
from her that she had not friend or
acquaintance in the place" asked a
description, and found it was the sad,
quiet looking girl 1 had observed.
Well, thought I, if only knew Of a
temporary home, Of good character, to
which l might direct her, how CRATE
full would be. She might go there
and make known her wants and ability,
and perhaps be cheered and helped on
her rough, lonely road. A few words
of sympathy, advice and assistance
might relieve her anxious mind. Be-
sides she might be directed to places
where she could obtain remunerative
labor.
While travelling in stage coach from
st, Louis, l learned accidently of diff
ferent but similar case, from the con-
versation Of some passengers-the re-
lator of the incident being man that
1 knew, by reputation, as man Of in
fluence, standing aui pisty. st. Louis
now has a "WOman'S Christian Home" :"
containing about one hundred inmates.
They are working women and all pay
fair prices so far as know. A WomRn's
Exchange was established some years
ago for the sale Of embroidery and of
other fancy work. Two restaurants
are on'the second ll)or of the building;
one for work-women, where meals are
served at very moderate price, and an
other for guests, who can command
more choice articles of diet, and pay a
better price.
But what particularly interested me
in the progressive movements of the
Mound City, was a Learning School,
where girls and young women are
taught cooking, sewing by hand and
machine, dressmaking, mending and
darning, also spelling and composition,
with the higher branches Of type-writ-
ing and shorthand. Most of the instruc-
tions are given in the evening after the
ordinary hours of work. A library has
also been established. \ lunch room
has been in operation for the conven-
fence of women employed in stores, Of
fees, making and millinery es-
tablishments. 1t was a success from
the first. During the Knight Templars
COnclaye, the State Fair, etc., ETC., the
ladies opened restaurant for ladies'
and gentleman, who were served with
breakfast, dinner and supper, at reas-
enable prices. Some of the ladies of the
training school were present every day
and gave their services.
One summer while travelling on the