The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-07-25

were almost bare of customers, she was
evidently snatching this moment stealth
lily.
Just as l sat down at the counter
big fioorwalker appeared in sight. One
Of the other girls murmured:
"Gibbs is coming" and my little
English friend, thrusting her letter I'M
der heap of unrolled lace, gave me
her attention.
1--WE don't often get chance to sit
down or write or even think" she all
swered when spoke to her about her
life. "Our best times are on rainy days
like this, when the floorwalker is gen.
orally up in the stockroom with the
buyer or in generous mood from lei
sure and not apt to notice every little
thing. But that Gibbs is new, and he's
horrid''
Before left we had chatted so much
and learned SO many things about
saleswoman s life. She read me portion
of the letter she was writing home:
81 have heard somewhere, dear moth
er, that there are seven heavens, and in
the seventh everything is on a better
harps are prettier, there are finer man.
sions than in any of the other heavens
Well, you may be sure then that if there
is any justice beyond the grave, the
saleswoman who tries to do her duty is
sure of that glorious seventh and no
other!'
This may be taken as the text of
what 1 have to say on the subject No
employment demands so much of wom-
en- and gives such small returns
In the first place saleswoman must
have at least common school educa-
ton, she must write good, legible
hand, and understand arithmetic beyond
fractions. Her appearance is of great
Importance. The younger she is and the
prettier she is the better, and chic way
of wearing her cheap clothes, which
must be fashionably made, is an almost
imperative necessity.
Her hours are long, from 8 to 6
O'Clock, with half an hour for lunch in
the middle of the day, but instead of
ten hours they may be regarded as 20
from the terrible fatigue which is
crowded into their dreary length, the
result Of having to stand almost in one
spot the entire time.
Any woman who has endeavored to
stand for three hours to see some famous
play or listen to great sermon and
knows what exhaustion follows can
form vague idea of the strain which
perpetual standing has upor the femi-
nine organism. Incurable maladies are
common from this, weakened spines,
inf1amed veins
In fact, the saleswoman who does not
marry early is insuring for her old age
terrible and complete network Of nal.
aides, sad to speculate upon.
When she arrives at her post at 8
O'Clock, she arranges her stock, lifting
down heavy boxes, busting and putting
prices on the various articles. By Gus
toners begin to arrive, and in another
hour the aisles of every popular shop are
filled with alert women, rustling here
and there in silk lined skirts, pricing,
matching samples, not knowing just
what they want, asking ten questions
when one would do, in a hurry to catch
trains impatient, nervous and utterly
selllshly thoughtless. OF course here as
everywhere, exceptions to these dcscrip-
tions will be found, but they count for
little in the great throng which forms
the soul narrowing rule governing the
saloswoman' business life.
by the time afternoon comes she is
feverish, her feet burning, her legs ach-
ing her brain dazed by the rush Ees:eg-
ing her ON every side. she has to keep
suave self control Notwithstanding or
risk being reported to tloorWalkcr.
She has to answer all the questions
pouring in upon her, and yet wait only
upon one at a time, in order to avoid
mistakes in packages and change.
1t would seem as if women who shop
might be more considerate of the sister
women who stand behind the counter
and never enter shop after 80 except
when imperative necessity urges. This
half hour will not be spent i'll idling by
the saleswomen--instead it will give
them an opportunity toroll and fold the
materials heaped and twisted on the
sou nters after the days battle and con-
fusion. for no saleswoman can consider
her work done until the goods which
are her especial care are neatly placed
in the boxes or shelves where they be-
long
Yet not only at $50 are the crowds