The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-05-29
BRIGHT SHOP GIRLS.
THEY ARE INDEPENDENT AND HAVE
A JAUNTY APPEARANCE.

They Have Long Days and Are Obliged
to Be Punetua1. Careful and Obedient.
| Their Hours for Work and Amusement.
Wages Are Generally Small.
There are thousands of shop girls in Chi
cago, and at certain hours of the day the
streets and the steam and street cars are
frightened by their cheering presence
Those employed in most of the large retail
stores must be at their counters at from
7:30 to o'clock in the morning. They
generally walk to and from their work IL
the distance is not too great. 1t is only
the most inclement or disagreeable weather
that drives them to the cars. Ordinary
storms they cheerfully brave as they hustle
along, usually in pairs, gleefully chatting
as though not a cloud were in sight They
know exactly how many minutes are re-
qulred TO reach their destination just on
time, and they usually arrive not mo-
ment too late nor moment too soon.
Those who walk regularly to and from
their work assume a businesslike yet
graceful gait, readily distinguished from
that of girls who are only occasional visit
ors in the business portion of the city.
They pick up certain little traits that i'm
part to them a slightly masculine air, and
they go treading along in a manner that
might be interpreted to mean, 1--WE are
our own bread winners, and we feel quite
independent of the rest of the worldo
Many of Chicago's shop and Office girls
reside in the suburbs of the city, which
necessitates a half hours ride for them in
going to and from their work. This time
they usually employ IL reading the news
papers or the latest books.
Newsboys on suburban trains sell almost
as many papers to working women as they
do to workingmen. 1t is true that many
girls still refuse to read anything but love
tales full of moonstruck madness, but it is
reasonable to presume that the tendency of
their taste as a whole is upward 1t almost
provokes smile to see some child OF
penury, who sells woodenware down in the
dark basement of department store deep
in the pages of ''The Diamond Queen" or
THE Baron's Daughter"
FOND OF THE TREATER
The latest stage successes are always dis
cussed by shop girls, many of whom are
regular patrons of the theater and view the
play with greater appreciation and pleas
ure from cheap gallery seats than do their
wealthy and more fortunate sisters who
sit in the dress circle. But occasionally
they have an escort, and at such times
they occupy the best seats in the house |
and momentarily forget that they are not |
members of society's -Four Hundred They |
are ambitious, and the number that are ex-
pectlng TO become famous as actresses, au-
thoresses and the like is very considerable. |
As rule the better classes Of shop girls |
are neatly If not well dressed. There is |
hardly fashion 10 be seen on State street |
that does not soon find its reflex and echo |
in cheaper materials among the shop girls
They are keen observers, and quickly note |
the vagaries OF fashion and adopt them for
their own. Many Of the shop girls are the |
possessors Of pretty faces and good figures,
and when neatly attired present a pleasing |
appearance, They trip along on their way
70 work as cheerfully as though they were
going 10 picnic or bail, and are no more
unconscious Of passing admiration than is
A Prairie avenue belle. They see al that
s going on about them. and are not afraid |
II being looked at Their self reliant air
5 their protection, and they do not faint if
,ome corner loafer makes an audible re-
marx Possibly they may also make de-
snsive remarks if the street masher be
,OAeS TOO impeFUnenS or ventures too |
lear, but they are not afraid of him and
Know how 70 rebGke his advances.
THEIR WORK AND wAGEs.
At their counters they are usually kept
,usily engaged. but usually find time to
hat with each other occasionally aud dis
uss the fashions and the pecuaarities OF
he customers that come and 90.
They have from half hour 20 an hour
or luncheon. Many of them carry lunch
Win them, which they can paTtake ct ia a
ew moments and have, enoagh Of their
Ioon iatermissioa remaining 20 permit
hem 70 enjoy 3 walk around the block aad |
Iote what Is going on in the street
The wages Of shop girls range from three
ollars 10 eight dollars per week Cash II
IRIS receive an average OF TWO dollars per
yeek- When car fare and other ineiGeutals
n taken from the amount very htile |
eusalns. shop girls nearly al reside Il
ONE. as their wages ara iRsnHes@nt 10
e-mit Of their paying board The!r All |
az work al the store is supplemented by
morning and eveniag roGad of house
old duties az home
IN most Of the large department stores
e. is r1ng ar iifteen liag1es ~ G. sFale1