Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-08-30
MISS OrrILIE THoMAs.

A0, was Gne quick response, ana the
bright, intelligent face Of the young operator
dimpled in smiles. 81 meet them every day."
she said, as the delighted tourists moved on.
It's always the same cry: We are so glad
you speak English, and you are the only
American girl we have met in charge of an
exhibit. ." A party of Frenchmen now
stopped to examine the machine In melo-
dtous French she explained the instrument to
the interested listeners.
where did you learn Frencha"
"Oh! studied it at school" !" was the reply.
"When found out that there was a posi-
bility Of being sent to Paris brushed it up.
and, to my surprise, make myself under.
STOOD"
Miss Thomas is typical American girl,
of medium height, slender build, with light
brown hair and blue eyes. Her face and man.
ner are most pleasing. Quick, sharp, bright,
with keen sense Of the humorous, she is capa-
BILE of doing anything she sets out to do.
Like most Of her country women, she would
At in any position with credit to her woman.
hood and her country.
How do you like PARISH
"Oh, like it well enough. don't see
much of the city during the day. MY ann
bition has been gratihed, however. have
acquired sufficient skill on the machine to
win my employers confidence and to be put
In charge of the exhibit and that was about
all / expected"
care you paid the same here as in Amer.
leaf"
"Yes. The firm paid my passage over, and
! receive the same salary as I did in New
York;
do women typewriters, stenographers,
etc., receive the same salaries in Paris as in
America7"
Miss Thomas smiled-a smile of patriotic
gratitude. ''Well, should say not" and the
jaunty knot of blue ribbon round the slender
neck paid the penalty Of its mistress fervor.
French girls work for 12 francs week. They
are glad to get it. It is rarely they are paid
that much. In London women earn 22O a
year as typewriters in offices and stores"
What is their salary in Americas"
"From $12 week upwards. Fifty dollars
month is the average salary of an expert
Some command as high as $40 or SS5 a
month";"
Then you would say America is the coun-
try for womena'
swell, should smilel" And she did
smile. Americas the only spot on earth.
Why, look at these French girls. They are
employed everywhere, to be sure-clerks,
cashiers, mattresses, etc.-but they are mis-
erably paid; then they never get any higher.
Clerks, cashiers and mattresses they remain
until the end of the chapter. There's no
chance for promotion here. but in America
well, there's no limit"
SIS living cheaper in Paris than in Amer
icas'
'.Yes-n you leave your American stom.
ach at home," and the we'll fed da,nsel
laughed merrily. s'This talk about living
cheaper in Paris than at home is all non.
sense, " she added, SOLDERING 'sn you want a
good meal such as Americans are used to.
you pay the same if not higher price here
than in America"
ssThen you don't like French cooking.
French economy2"
"Oh, yes; like French cooking in way.
Am very fond Of their swell dinners when l
don't have to pay for theml But the economy
of the average Parisian-well, cup Of coffee
for breakfast, a little bit of meat, size Of
your hand, dry bread and cheap sour wine
for the rest Of the day-well, it's not to nv
ikingn
How about clothesa You can't say they
are not cheap2"
''Oh, clothes are cheap enough, but look at
the French girls-all flash and style on the
outside, but you ought to see their UNDER
clothing, and the neat American lifted her
pretty nose disdainfully. ''Rags, positively
ragsl' s.
Surprising! How do you account for it?n
Economy, was the tragic response. "a
girl cannot marry in France unless she has
dowry, you know. The whole family pinch
and scratch-wh they would skin fiy-to
hoard francs for prospective husbands
The disgust on Miss Americas face was elo-
quently disdainful Of the economy Of the
daughters Of France. Nothing is more alb
horrent to the independent American girl
are they not all signers Of the Declaration Of
Independe than the thought Of dowry as
an essential to the marriage bond. Her face.
her character is the American girls dowry:
her heart her fortune
You found the French language essential.
did you notq'
y My, yes; don't see how q person could
move among them without some knowledre
Of the language I don't know what should
s.The menus at the hotels and cafes are In
Frenchf' S, ~
Eyes. have q friend who has lived on
meat and bread since he came to Paris .
laughed Miss Thomas It's the only thing
hs can say in French. He is afraid to order
from the carte, not knowing what they might
After the ss,,s; exposition you win doubles.
win make for America IS quickly q the
ship will bear me, and thank Cod when I
reach its shoresi" was the reply Of the only
omcially representa- alive girl at the Paris ex-
position. Ida RosE Mccain