The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-30
SAVING MONEY ON S. A WEEK.

-Four Girls who Hire Two Rooms and
Live Together as a Family.
The question is asked over and over
again: ''How do girls who are employed IN
stores and shops at small salaries lrReY'
1t would be surprising TO know theNnum-
her who manage to exist on s. weeky'an
who have discovered the art OF making 81
90 as far as g would ordinarily.
"Save up money on - a week. ASKS
some incredulous person.
There are not many, it must be admit
ted. but four poor girls, each working
from s o'clock in the morning until at
night. three as salesgirls and the other IN
n shop. have for two years been trying the
nlan of cooperative housekeeping, which
promises TO become a perfect system for
working women who cannot afford To
board at the place they prefer, or become
dissatisfied when they undertake to try
cheaper places.
When the store where three Of the
friends work has closed for the day the
three proceed to the nearest corner, where
they are met by the other member Of the
family, and the four walk home together.
Having heard Of the pleasant times
which these girls have at their apartments
and being DESTROYS Of seeing for herself
how the plans are carried out the writer,
by special invitation, recently took an
evening meal with them.
The house is on a side street within easy
walking distance Of down town, and the
room up two flights. The latter is a large
APARTMENT and has three windows, which
are prettily draped with dotted muslin tied
back with yellow ribbons. The walls are
tinted with pale cream color and the
whole interior showed the good taste Of
the occupants.
A folding bed Of cabinet shape, in the
front Of which is long mirror, and
broasi couch, which is also bed; two easy
chairs, one rocker and several other chairs
are all the larger pieces Of furniture.
In front of the door leading to the side
room, which is used as a kitchen, is a large
screen, evidently Of home manufacture,
but decidedly ornamental.
Two sets OF shelves a6orn the spaces be-
tween the windows, and these are filed
with books. There are also a few good
pictures hung about, and on the mantel-
piece are little ornaments and pretty
things, watched over by a small bust Of
Dickens on a bracket.
While the writer was admiring the neat
ness of the room and praising the general
appearance one of the girls had set the
table.
There was no array of silver, but the
dishes were dainty although there were
no. many Of them, and the food was not
spoiled by apologies and everything passed
off smoothly, for AL were hungry.
After a while the cost of the meal was
considered, and found to be just As cents.
That did not include sugar, butter or cof-
fee, the former costing the girls 20 cents a
week, butter about 50 cents and the coffee
the same. Two cans Of condensed milk at
13 cents each bring ele total up to S1.46
At the end Of the week the girls make
up their cash accounts, and the expenses
for the family amount to about 81. 80 on an
average. They hire the room unfinished,
with the exception Of the beds, and conse-
quently are able to hire at the low price of
BIZ a month.
In the same room which mas been men
toned is running water, and many shelves
have been built in" to make things more
convenient for the housekecpers.
The gas stove, bought at a bargain, is
set on little raised platform in the corner,
which is covered with neat cilcloth
Tnware is hung up all about, and every
thing looks az orderly IS possible They
do not find time for many fancy dishes,
but they have plenty of wholesome food,
and appear to enjoy thoroughly their man
ner OF living
Occasionally they are invited out to spend
Sunday or TO tea during the week, but
they feel very much at home in their coEy
room which they have occupied together so
long, and think their friends who have
such dolefu' experiences in hunting up
boarding places and trying to live on small
Salaries would be much more contented if
they tried cooperative hous eping.-
Boston Globe.