The evening world., 1888-09-11
Two Days Weary Flooding
About New York's Streets.
A Bushelful of Experience for the
Benefit of Other U~nfortunatcs.


n number have parents, wives and children
looking to them for support.
To learn the difficulties that beset the paths
of these unfortunates a reporter for The
EVENING WORLD started out. going with
them in their quest for employment not as a
representative of O newspaper but as a
soldier in their army's ranks.
Perhaps, while experiencing their hard
ships, something to alleviate them might be
learned. At times subterfuge had to be
used, but the reporter determined to
shoulder the sin, hoping the good that might
result would balance 1t on the great day of
reckoning.
THE WEARY QUEST.
The quest is a weary one. Hundreds with
not q cent in their pockets wander out morn
ing after morning after reading the want
columns in The WORLD. YEARLY they
trudge from place to place. only to meet
are either not fitted for the positions they
apply for. or that these positions have already
been taken.
II is not IN ~infrequent thing to see crowds
Of applicants gathered about a building, the
occupant of which has advertised for a clerk,
salesman or porter. In many instances fifty
or sixty, and sometimes more, assemble as
early as 6 o'clock in the morning In the hope
of being the first applicant.
sTEREoTYPED OBJECTIONS.
Objections to candidates are many. One is
too young. another too old. One is married,
another is not. Again the name of each of
the sixty applicants ID taken and tifty-nine of
them never hear of the result.
Before the reporter had been long in the
quest he had much experience he had spent
lots of money for car fares, had worn out
considerable shoe leather and had become
almost hoarse from talking and explaining
his qualifications.
dinates. in others o civil-servlce examina-
ton was gone through. and finally,
after a two days search he succeeded In
securing an engagement as traveller for o
ployment as a salesman by a downtown gents
furnishing goods dealer at a salary of $l5 per
week to work from 1850 A. M. to $50 p. M,
His adventures were very similar to those
of many others who started out with the
same object in view, and will be instructive
to others who are in search of employment.
STARTING ON THE SEARCH.
The reporter arose early In the morning,
breakfasted. and going out secured a copy of
THE WORLD.
As his eye ran over the column headed
Help Wanted Male" and the array of I'D
vertisements greeted his eye he smiled to
himself. Here were calls for men of every
conceivable talent and for men without tai
ent. Surely among these he could secure the
| desired situation! His eye rested on q num-
Der of advertisements for statesmen. Surely
he could secure a place as u salesman!
Downing his coat and attiring himself in
linen of the snowiest white, Ne sailed forth,
after bestowing u nickel on an enterprising
bootblack. and "dusting" his clothes so that
he would make q presentable appearance, if
not favorable impression on his coming en-
ployer.
HE WAS A HAT SALESMAN FIRST.
The first advertisement he answered was
the following
SALESMkN-ExtrA saiesmen for Saturdays; mems
> hats; experienced men only.
A short walk brought the scribe to the
number mentioned. he went upstairs and
entered q salesroom. He WIS not first, how
ever. for q number of men were there before
him.. All had had experience i'll the business,
and it was necessary. After a short wait the
proprietor came forward.
ORDEAL NO. l..
GOOD morning, gentlemen, " he said.
Then one by one the applicants were inter
came.
Ever had any experience" was the first
Yes" was the answer, :" had some ex-
p~erience with gents furnishings, but am at
present employed in another line"
" We want a man to come TO work about
Ia. 80 O'Clock noon on Saturdays. He will
have to work until 6 O'Clock at night. Then
store. We pay %. l nave just selected the
men l want now, but if you leave your name
and address I'll let you know when we want
more men," The same information was
all left.
TRYING THE SHOE BUSINESS.
The next place visited was in answer TO the
following
= Apply between 10 and II A. M.
II was yet early in the morning, but some
one had got ahead of the reporter, and when
he called he was informed that the position
had been filed. Thus the reportorial ambi-
tion TO fit shoes to dainty feet was frustrated.
TI- - I~..
dressed, never lifted his eyes from the note
he was writing nor vouchsated a reply to the
reporters query as to whether there might
be another chance later on, and the reporter
withdrew.
Two applications made and no result.
Twas discouraging, surely. Bracing up, the
scribe looked at his list. An advertisement
calling for ten clothing salesmen, inserted by
a large uptown clothing house, greeted his
eye.
A THIRD ATTEMPT.
Boarding a car he rode uptown to the mum,
Der mentioned in the advertisement. II wal
a large and elegant clothing store,
A suave man. presumably the head sale-
hands to him as he entered. "Good-day
sir, ~ he greeted the prospective customer.
u called in answer to your ad," began thu
reporter. ~,
dropped to his side. Then suddenly recov
ering himself. he raised his right hand anC
in a tone austere and condescending h,
said
You'll find the boss in the rear"
The salesman winked at another, who wa
/ standing dow further, as the reporter passet
down between the row of clothing. TIL
{ latter intercepted the reporter, saying, He
busy now. Wait"
0 Suddenly the proprietor darted out of hi
Office. He had been talking over the tele
phone.
Please wait one minute" he said, and tn
seeker of employment took q seat.
=" l called in answer to your advertisement
Of, this morning" began the reporter.
Have you had any experience 2" was III