Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-05
SAVING MONEY ON s5 A WEEK.

Four Girls Who Hire Two Rooms and
Live Together as IL Family.
The question Is asked over and over
again: How do girls who are employed in
stores and shops at small salaries live?"
1t would be surprising to know the num-
Der who manage to exist on s. a week, and
who have discovered the art of making 81
go as far as 81 would ordinarily.
Save up money on 81 a week." asks
some incredulous person
There are not many, it must be admit
ted, but four poor girls, each working
from o'clock in the morning until at
night, three as salesgirls and the other in
shop, have for two years beep trying the
plan 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 desirous 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 n 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 a
broad 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 kitchen, is large
screen, evidently of home manufacture
but decidedly ornamental
Two sets of shelves adorn the spaces be
tween the windows, and these are filled
with books. There are also 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 tn,
dishes were dainty although there were
not many of them, and the food was not
spoiled by apologies, and everything passed
off smoothly, for all We're hungry.
After a while the cost of the meal was
considered, and found 10 be just As cents
That did not include sugar, butter or cof
fee, the former costing the girls 20 cents 9
week, butter about 50 cents and the coffee
the same. Two cans of condensed milk al
l3 cents each bring the total up to 81 40
At the end of the week the girls max,
up their cash accounts, and the expense
for the family amount to about 81 50 on M
average They hire the room unfurnished
with the exception of the beds, and conse
quently are able to hire at the low price OF
sl2 IA month.
In the same room which has been men
toned is running water, and many shelves
have been built in" to make things more
convenient for the housekeepers.
The gas stove, bought at a bargain, is
set on a little raised platform in the corner
which is covered with neat oilcloth
Tinware is hung up all about, and every
thing looks as orderly as 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 cozy
room which they have occupied together st
long, and think their friends who hav,
such doleful experiences in hunting III
boarding places and trying to live on small
salaries would be much more contented i
they tried cooperative housekeeping
Boston Globe.