The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-18
SGNSlBLE SHOP GIRLS.
How Thoy Manage 20 Save Money on Five
Doll.rs Week.

LOW Xhoy Manage TO Save Money on Five
Dollars Week.
Tho question is asked over and over
again, "liow do girls, who are employed
i'll stores and shops at small salaries,
live?"
1t would DO surprising to know tho
number who manage to exist on 81 u
week, and who have discovered the art
of making 81 go as far rs s. would or
dinarily.
Save up money on SIS weolz?" asks
some incrcdulous person.
There are not many, it must DO adj
mitted, but four poor girls, each one
working from S o'clock in the morning
until g at night, three as salesgirls and
tho other in shop, have for two years
been trying tho plan of cooperative
housekeeping, which promises to be-
come a perfect system for working
women who can not afford to board at
the place they prefer, or become dis
satisfied when they undertake to try
cheaper places.
Whom the store where three of the
friends work has closed for the day thoy
three proceed to the nearest corner,
where they arc mot by tho other mem
Der of tho family, and the four walk
homo together.
Having heard of the pleasant times
which these girls have at their apart
ments, and being DESTROYS of seeing for
herself how the plans arc carried out,
the writer, by special invitation, recent
ly took an evening moal with them.
The house is on sido street within
easy walking distance of down town and
tho room up two flights. The latter is
large apartment and has three win
dows, which arc prcttily drapcd with
dotted muslin tied back with yellow rib
bons. The walls arc tinted with a palo
cream color and tho whole interior
showed the good taste of tho occupants.
folding bed Of cabinet shape, in tho
'front.' OF which is Il long mirror, and q
broad couch which is also bed, two
easy chairs, one rocker, and several
other chairs arc all the larger pieces Of
furniture.
In front of tho door leading to tho
side room, which is used rs n kitchen, is
large screen, evidently OF homo manu-
facturo, but decidedly ornamental
Two sets of shelves adorn the spaces
between tho windows, and these are
filed with books. There arc also fow
good pictures hung about, and on the
mantclpicce are little ornaments and
pretty things, watched over by small
bust of Dickens on bracket.
While tho writer was admiring the
neatncss of the room and praising the
general appearance, one of tho girls had
set tho table.
There was no array of silver, but the
dishes were dainty, although there
were not many of them and the food
was not spoiled by apologies, and cvery-
thing passed off smoothly, for all were
hungry.
After awhile tho cost Of tho meal was
considered, and found to be just4S cents
This did not include sugar, butter or
coffee, the former costing tho girls 20
ccnts week. tho butter about 30 conts
and the coffee the same. Two cans of
condensed milk at - cents each brings
total up to Sl.46.
AT the end of the wcoll the girls make
up thcir cash accounts, and the expenses
Of tho family amount to about 81. so on
furnished, with the exception of tho
beds, and consequently are able to hire
at tho low price OF SD month.
III bHC olttt IOOill WHlCn has Dctn mon
toned is running water, and many
shelves have been "built in" to mako
things moro convenient for the house
keepers
Tho gas-stove, bought at bargain, is
set on 4 little raised platform in the
corner, which is covered with Il neat oil
cloth.
Tinware is hung up all about, and
every thing looks as orderly as possible.
They do not find time for many fancy
dishes, but thoy have plenty of whole
some food and appear to onjoy thorough
~ their manner of living.
Occasionally they arc invited out 80
spond Sunday or to tea during tho week,
but they feel worry much at home in
thor cosy room which they have occu-
pied together SO long, and think their
friends who have such doleful expert
cncos III hunting up boarding places and
trying to live on small salaries would
be much moro contentod if they tried
cooperative housekeeping. Boston
Globe.