New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-12-17
FIGHTING HER WAY.
STORY OF GENTLEWOMAN WHO TRIED
TO OBTAIN POSITION
IN THIS CITY.

There is q popular theory aaoat that any one
who Will may find work, and that she who is
destitute and out OF employment II in good health
Is suffering from self-imposed misery In a city
Of so many and varied industries as New-York II
Is perhaps, not surprising that this should be the
consensus Of opinion; but the theory is not always
verified by facts, the experience OF a woman
told yesterday to a Tribune reporter. proves. She
said:
Circumstances made it necessary for me to leave
ghen I arrived had snug little sum in the bank
and an assured yearly income OF several hundred.
Il never occurred 10 me that the wolf was even
then creeping up to my door: and that should be
dy. But presto! The, snug little sum and the as
But who cared? Did 1 have talents?
] had not been in New,Hork long enough TO feel
and 50 do not know that here money is your best
from a hsd anSg STo GS 9h 5hqse
70 be telling things-were sure bring me lots OF
Armed with these couldn't fan 10 the ground
Souloht lah 70 secure a poslnon OF some hlnu. :
more than ordinary intellgence-had gained a
acceptable stories and articles Tor different maya
ness and periodicals and had been paid for them
Prominent clergyman de read them, looked Sc
Now, what did You come 10 New-York for?"
AS this was the first time had ever been spoken
hurt and faitered 'I out: isi' iiOis Oe"i'Oe'eD
'why-why. for the musical advantages. and
Leave me your address. I'll do what can to
introduce you musical people. l can't help
Nothing ever came Of that.
Another clergyman visited. / cour-
teouy received, my letters read, and eonhded TO
him that had lost my bit Of income and wanted
work panied look came into his eyes;
Oh, he said. Il have 50 many cases like yours
But he wrote me letter Of introduction to the
head OF an employment bureau, who received me
anably, and who said he would do his best to
secure me place. i have never had an offer from
went TO a prominent magazine man and showed
him some printed sketches and articles cut from
had had some experience in a literary way and
III you have done newspaper work a magazine
once rs no place for your wares" he answered,
have answered countless advertisements, walk
ing sometimes miles in the singing snow and ~ain
needs But the majority of them proved to be
SIC 6av If p cs5abIs b WIN snort hours ana
earn them I tried-and failed. was either in
capable. or ever earned the salaries
come OF a long line of lighting ancestors but
oestors IN my trial Efforts TO earn that generous
salary: even tried 10 sell books in Jersey City!
goods store one OF the largest in the. city The
Gay applied there was a double hne Of sad faced
and girls, negroes and japanese.
sorry, very sorry, but We have no room-abso-
ielely no vacancies OF any kind for any one" said
] sought a church mission society and told them
M I1st nave work THAI l was penniless. didn't
Work OF any kinSooffice work writing any, kind
OF mission work, church visiting. Oh anything
am very, very sorry. my dear MADAM. The
man kindly answered, hut can't create vacan-
~, ges and we are now straining every to get
me money 10 pay those already employed / wish
sSolle 40 something but can't" and he really
NC look regretful and pitiful he bowed
belng told OF a place whore they employed per-
'orS 70 ADDRESS envelopes. ] hurried there.
we never employ girls. the superintendent In
horned me courteously.
sut am not girl" I retorted.
4 mean that we never employ women in our ad-
pressing department. We found that girls-young
nynleh-Were too careless. have made il a
feie 70 employ only men"
But can do a mans work" persisted. Il
~ 90 any KIND OF wrting-any kind Of Office work
"a, a man can DO said. desperately.
II You Will leave vour name and address will
~ sour case before the Board. We viii let you
A. apS, ne added, as he opened the door for me.
liedse remember that l need work. that ! am
I'sglng Tor work. that I can't live without work "
never heard from him.
~ my desperation 1 sought he Salvation Army
10 asked for employment
ell Is a heart breaking fact they assured me
~ We can't get work Of any kind for women.
~, only can we have Is for servants and they
nt strong Young women
es,tgg mere / went my name and address were
~ lullg taken down but never once was I written
never once asked 10 return never once were my
p@-s 10 secure a situation crowned with success
"haps failed because ] am no longer young.