The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-08
TRIALS OF SALESWOMEN
In DEPARTMENT STORES.

The inconsistencies and inconsiderate-
consequent trials and tribuations of the
saleswomen I'm the big department stores
would hll d volume.
Indeed, the average saleswoman must
cultivate the patience OF Job If she be so
unfortunate as 10 be lacking in that most
necessary element of character. She
must moreover be- slow to anger and as
wise as serpent and as harmless as q
dove"
She must always be ready when occa-
sion requires IL with the soft answer
that turneth away wrath" and must wear
smiling countenance though her heart
be breaking; for inharmony with her sur
roundings would be fatal barrier to her
success.
Granted that the saleswoman possess or
can simulate these attributes OF charac-
ter and she will be able TO withstand
and to turn 10 the best account the
idiosyncrasies OF many of her sex, for the
trails women behind the counter are
mainly those who come to her from wo-
men shoppers.
OFTEN II is only thoughtlessness that
leads the shopper TO add to the burdens
OF her less fortunate sisters. TOO often,
however, IL is selfshness or ignorance.
Frequently women OF wealth to whom life
has brought the richest opportunities. for
get that the woman behind the counter
has the same feelings, desires and aspira-
tons, that they are as refined and sens-
4
Is only matter of circumstance that
separates one life from the other.
And often words OF sympathy. and en-
couragement would tighten the burden of
many a worker whose smiling counten-
ance bellies her weariness of body and
soul, for
'Tis easy enough 10 be pleasant.
When life flows along like n song:
But the soul worth while is the one who
with smile
When everything goes dead wrong
For the test OF the heart Is trouble,
And 10 always comes with the years,
And the smile that is worth the praise
OF earth
Is the smile that comes through tears.
During the recent heated term so much
might have been spared the woman be-
hind the counters. If only the shoppers
had been more thoughtful. To be sure
the saleswomen behind the glove count
ers are there To sell their goods and 10
it gloves TO the hand. when requested,
but think what II means to them TO stand,
hour after hour. and ne gloves on days
when the thermometer II I'm the nineties.
Again, as one young woman declared.
there are women who will require pair af-
ter pair OF gloves 20 he tried on ere she
will be satisfied.
Doubtless such customers do not realize
that the EFFORT OF constantly ntting gloves
is a great strain upon the back and stom-
ach OF the saleswomen.
IL was no uncommon occurrence during
the DAYS nf tho torrld heat Of July for
customer 20 purchase yard and
half OF lace. or perchance. n yard Of
silk or other trihlng article and order ~
delivered-utterly oblivious of the fact
that this meant an extra trip for tho
already overburdened horse who. In sew
eral instances fell by the wsyside.
II can assure you that there rs no de-
partmcnt worse than the millinery. or
where tho trials are greater' declared
n bright young salcswoman I'm one OF the
hg stores
"Our trials and trhula tons begin At
the opening ~ tho season IN September.
when women come IN and take hours %
our time IN examining our pattern and
trimmed hats and then go away without
even a thank you.
Then there are women who will rur-
chase n hat and take n homo and they
appear again In y day or two with the
complaint that husband, sister or brother