St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-08-12

work about nine and half or ten hours
a day. Some girls come at o'clock in
the morning: they quit at 80 in the
afternoon. Those that come later in
the morning, of course, have to STAY
longer in the evening""
How is it about Sunday work?'' was
my next question. for | like to know all
about place, if possible.
The girls said that each had to work
about three hours every third Sunday.
But these few hours were more tiresome
that a whole day during the week.
"Why is that?"
Because people don't have much
business to transact on Sunday, so some
of them try to get the worth of their
rent by talking nonsense to the girls"
said one.
| think that girl was a sort of per
verse old fossil, and did not voice the
general sentiment in her remarks. For
the chief attraction of the work, for the
majority, seems to be the fine facilities
for extending their list of acuuaint-
ances. If the girls tell the truth, some
very romantic tales might be told con-
corning even their everyday life, but it
wouldn't be fair for one to rehearse for
the public's benefit those bits of gossip
which every girl tells her half dozen
friends under
PROMISE OF INVIOLABLE SECRECY.
l couldn't help wondering if good
looks were one of the qualifications
necessary in order to enter this estab-
liShment as an operator. 1t would seem
so if one takes the present force as a
fair standard. Many of the girls
are really pretty, and those whose
personal attractions are not above
the average make up for that by their
pleasing manners and witty remarks.
1t is true that if you want to hear the
latest slang phrase, it is only necessary
to listen to the telephone girls chatter
for few minutes. But their heads are
level, f..E a. that. One of them said:
I'VE always are sure of invitations to
the theater or any other place of amuse-
ment. Of course they sometimes come
from people whom we have never seen.
and we have to use some discretion
about our acquaintance, bnt we are up
with the times, and know about all
that's going, and we always intend to
enjoy life"
l thought she voiced the general SEN
tlment. l saw several presents of flow
ers and dainty boxes of candy, sent by
their admirers, as well as invitations of
all sorts. So that if the wages are no
liSiCI Ildil III Hldlly OUiler klnQS- OF
work, yet the girls naturally are pleased
| to be in place where they can always
command a crowd of admirers, be thew
sincere OF otherwise.
These girls dress better and more
styiishly than any class whom l have
met before. excepting the clerks. |
! couldn't help studying their makeup
and wondering how they managed.
One said: Il pay S12 a month for board
and washing, then car fare and in
| cidentals are an additional "a: that
leaves me 50 month for gloves. shoes.
hats, dresses and a hundred little ex,
penSive things that one must have i'm
order to look we'll dressed. and some
times it's pretty hard work to dress re-
Specially"
Her statement was quite fair as to
living expenses. Some of the girls live
at home and are not obliged to work
Tor their living. Under such circum-,
stances S25 month will purchase much
style. Be that as it may, the telephone
girls manage to indulge in the latest
FACE POWDER AND BANG
as well as the most approved mode in'
hats and dresses.
IL suppose you can talk with any of.
your friends on the line wnen yo,r
wish," L observed to one Young lady
who seemed to be holding a very ami
mated conversation, which was not
strictly on business matters.
Not at all, she explained with grave
lace; I'VE are not allowed to answer