Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-22
SAVING MONEY ON S. A WEEK..
Four Girls Who Hire Two Rooms an
Live Together as Family.

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 live?"
1t would be surprising to know the num-
Der who manage to exist on IS a week, and
who have discovered the art of making 81
go as far as 50 would ordinarily.
Save up money on IS 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
shop, have for two years been 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 side street within easy
walking distance of down town, and the
room up two flights. The latter is large
apartment and has three windows, which
are prettily draped with dotted muslin tied
back with yellow ribbons. The walls are
tinted with a 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 a 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 a 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 small bust of
Dickens on 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
not many of them, and the food was not
spoiled by apologies and everything passed
off smoothly, for all were hungry
After a while the cost of the meal was
considered, and found to be just 4S cents.
That did not include sugar, butter or cof-
fee, the former costing the girls 20 cents a
I,,@t IL IL .r-
the same. Two cans of condensed milk at
1S cents each bring the 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 S4 so on an
average. They hire the room unfurnished,
with the exception of the beds, and conse-
quently are able to hire at the low price of
$12 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 bargain is
set on 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 SO
long, and think their friends who have
such doleful experiences in hunting up
boarding places and trying to live on small
salaries would be much more contented if
they tried cooperative housekeeping.
Boston Globe.