The evening world., 1890-03-25

they are a comfort; that they are neat,
tidy and economical; thst they GO to
church, cultivate their minds TO the full.
est extent Of their ability and the facili.
Ties at hand; that they are not grum-
blers. napgers OF laRgards. What the
world wants to know is what we shall we
do with our girls7
Many girls, living with parents who are
capable Of supporting them comfortably,
like to be independent OF the family
purse, and so cnter some light occupation
at very low wages, that they may earn
pin money for the purchase Of pretty
shoes. hats, ribbons and feathers.
About the holidays these well-bred,
lady.like, modest creatures enter our
shops and accept clerksbips at 80 or -
a week, or 30 per cent. less than the regu-
lar salary. II is not unusual for the pro-
p~rietors to invite these girls to remain In
their employment, which they very often
do. Ignorant of the value of labor, they
work on. and when the dull season comes
the old and experienced clerks have the
alternative Of resigning or submitting to a
reduction on which II is utterly i'm
possible for them to live.
In this way the prettily dressed and
comfortably supported home girl inno-
Gently and ignorantly does her less for
tunate sister an i~ncalculable wrong by
entering into a competition which not
only takes the bread out Of her mouth.
but. by cheapening labor, Injuries the
cause and increases the difficulties for u
poor girl TO make an honest living.
What shall we do with our girls?
Let them clerk in dry-goods stores,
fancy shops. book stores and candy stalls
for the price Of an Easter gown?
Let them tend a doctors or photog-
rapher's reception-room for enough
money to pay for a Summer outing
Let them work in q milliner's or dress
makers shop and give two Or three
months service just TO pick up u knowl.
edge of the trade
The great fault of the girl Of TO-DAY is
discomfort. She is restless and dissatis-
fed. She wants to go out In the world
to find opportunities, as she puts II, aud
find her sphere. She wants a chance. II
she makes q verse she has imaginings Of
filing Mrs. Browning's place. aud II she
prepares an essay or paper for n sewing
class she thinks that she might make
as much money as Amelie Riyes
Chanler IL not as much fame as
George Eliot. Nothing but the lack OF in
struction prevents her singing like Patti.
painting like Rosa Bonheur. modelling
like Harriet Hosmer. Powerless to emu
late these fair geniuses, she wants to be a
business woman and get her name In
print as often as Mrs. Frank Leslie. Mrs.
Harriet Hubbard Aver. Mime. Ruppertand
Lydia Pinkham.
There is q growing. feverish desire to
do unnecessary work.
Girls will not remain in the home nest.
no matter how downy 1t is. They are
venturesome little chicks, aud unless the
water 10 in a decorated bowl and the
wheat grits are served on a fringed doyly
they will run away. and perhaps 60 into
tho pond after the ducklings.
To prevent this something must be
done with our girls. but WHAT
This is a very NATTER f-fact world.
Times have changed wonderfully since
1870. when we all wore pinafores and
made samplers and tatting. Instead of q
butterfly, the busy bee has become the
emblem Of the day. and the question is
what shall we do with our girls?
NELL NELSON.