Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-13
FROM HANDTOMOUTH.
Hard Lines for a Poor Widow Left
With Two Little Children
TO SUPPORT ON A SMALL SALARY.
Duties and Wages of Saleswomen and HoN
They Manage to Exist
THE PRETTY ONES FARE THE BEST

A bright face, though one upon which
traces of sorrow and care were plainly writ
ten; slight figure, dressed in gown of
yery ordinary material, and severe in its
simplicity; hands that evidenced an init
mate acquaintance with more material and
less esthetic articles than those they were
exhibiting to purchasers in large drygoods
establishment, yesterday afternoon.
"How long have you been asaleswoman?"
she was asked.
"Two years"
"Do you like the business?"
"Neyer have time to think whether do
or not"
"well, do you find it proitable?"
"Isupport myself and two little children
on my salary"
"Indeed? How much are you paid?"
"Seven dollars week."
''How do you live on that. let alone sup
porting your children?"
s,Of course we do not live very sumptu-
ousIy, but we manage to exist. After my
husbands death went home to my mother,
who earns her living by plain sewing. She
takes care of the little ones during the day,
and accomplishes as much work as she can.
When go home at night I do the work
that necessarily is left undone dur
ing the day. do the washing
one evening and the ironing the
next, and keep the little clothes as neatly
darned and patched as I can. The little
ones are so small, as yet, that they do not
require very much in the way of clothing,
1 have two plain dresses year, which my
mother helps me make, and when the waists
give out buy a cheap jersey to wear with
the skirts. The dresses, lining and all. cost
me about S. apiece, as 1 take advantage Of
the bargain counter to purchase them.
OTHER ARTICLES OF APPAREL.
"Hats? Ibuy cheap felt or straw, and
trim them myself Shoes cost me the most.
I have to pay s. pair, but two pairs last
me through the year. Amusements? I
never have any. My summer vacation OF
one week 1 take advantage Of to make my
underwear and clothes for the little ones"
"What will you do as the children grow
older and require more clothing and are
more expense in every way?"
"The Lord only knows. Fortunately, the
eldest is little boy, and he can sell papers,
and then, perhaps, become a messenger
bov."
Don't you think your salary will be in
creased as you gain experience?"
Mot very much. commenced on 81
week, and now have 81, but
won't get much higher. am not at
tractive, and can't afford to make myself
SO by dress, which would insure me better
position and better salary, and am not
specially adapted to anything in particular,
SO you see there isn't much hope. But,
dear me, they are good to me here. can
sit down whenever am not waiting upon
customers or putting my stock In order, and
once when I was sick q whole week they
gave me my envelope just the same. The
we'll educated and pretty girls, as rule.
receive the best salaries and the better posi-
tions in a store, for they are more attractive
and better fitted to draw customers. There
is one of the pretty ones over there, who
lives at home and spends ali her money in
fnery. Quite stunning, isn't she?"
The young lady referred to had plump,
well-curved figure, that was displayed to
advantage BY stylish, perfectly fitting
dress, minus collar, thereby exhibiting a
tiny bit of dazzlingly white neck. An ala
baster complexion that heightened the effect
of her dark brown eyes, and delicate white
hands with tapering fingers and a very pro-
nounced air of indifference and languor-.
rather desirous person to question, espe-
cially as the nose seemed to have an upward
tendency, when surveying the customers
that thronged the store, but it must be done.
ANXIOUS FOR VACATION.
"Don't you find it irksome, staying in
doors this warm weather" she was asked.
''Yes, dreadfully SO. shall be SO glad
to get to the seashore. am going next
week, and will rusticate for the remainder
of ths month"
''They give you long vacations, don't
they?" .
"Only a week with salary. The rest Of
the time am docked."
"What salaries do they pay in this
store?"
From 81 to SIS week. get S12."
"Do you find it easy living on that?"
81 do not have to live on it. use it for
clothes and pin money. and live at home"
"How long have you been in the store?"
"Six months"
"Do you expect to stay long?"
''Not so very." was the reply, while the
left hand was turned SO deftly as to fash
very pretty diamond on the third finger,
right in the questioner's face.
In the dress and suit department OF a
larger and more fashionable store was
found thorough business woman-energy,
intelligence and success written upon every
feature of her face.
''Dull time, now, isn't it?"
"Yes; very dull. But it won't be long
until the fall trade commences. and I shall
be glad, for miss ny per cent"
''Your per cent? What do you mean by
that?'
"why, receive a stated salary all the
year round, but am also given per cent of
all sell, so that in the busy seasons re-
ceive $50 week, often. while in dull times
1 don't get very much over my regular
salary Of S25."
"Well, that's fair salary"
eyes, but $50 is better, and then, every
thing is pleasanter in busy times, and every
one is in better humor-the proprietors,
especially"
"Have you been in business long?"
"About three years."
"You didn't have to work up, then, from
"a a week?"
"Oh, no, indeed. Business men recognize
ability, and are willing to pay, generally,
whatever a person is worth to them.p