davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

gather an impression-to take in the atmos-
phere, as 1t were.
There were dozens and dozens Of clerks
and neat and deft-fngersd young women
stenographers galore.
In America we say king cotton" and
bow low. That morning I said Ring to-
bacco," and made an obeisance, recalling
as I went back through q roundabout way
to find the foreman, the story in the e!d
school reading book Of the early days-in
the days Of the spinster Queen Elizabeth
when voyagers, returning from the new
land, having learned the trick o. tobacco
smoking from the Indians. frightened their
compeers by emitting smoke from their
mouths, and laid themselves liable to q
ducking to extinguish the FIRE burning with
in them.
And as came nearer the whirr Of ma
chinery, / also recalled picture Of a New
England knitting mill, where the pretty
girls from neighboring farms busy them
selves all winter long about the looms, the
younger and less expert ones catching and
tying the broken cotton threads
WHERE THE GIRLS
DO NOT LOSE CASTE.
In genuine New England-even the New
England Of to-day-the. native girl of the
factory districts does not lose caste by be-
ing q factory hand.
niscing and the presence of the foreman at
the same time.
He was not at all the style of one Of the
favorite foremen of Miss Laura Jean Lib
bys factory romances. Indeed, he at once
impressed me as family man." who was
an able director Of work-people, and glad
that he could earn good wages to pay for
the comfortable clothing and good school,
ing OF his children.
Neither was there in evidence any 'hand-
some soma la Miss Libby ct al-of '.the
boss" who might be Objectionable in his
persistent and unwelcome woong of the
prettiest girl in the factory.
It was all a very businesslike proceeding.
was told that there was room In the fac
tory for me to work II wanted work.
I was not asked for references, but upon
assuring the foreman that had had no
previous experience he told me that 1t did
not matter. as would be put upon piece
work." and my earnings would depend up
on my quickness to catch o. eotness
and deftness.
At half past the next morning I was on
hand. had exchanged the hat with plumes
and red rose tucked against my yellow hair
for black "fascinator." I had previously
learned, from watching the girls as they
went to and from their work in the morn
ings and evenings, Of chill, wintry days,
that the black crocheted wool ''fascinator''
was the hsadgear accepted by them as the
best for the occasion.
There was a thrill Of something that I
analysed as akin to pleasure that creot
through my being at the sound of the long
whistle echoing through the big factory
building and floating out on the misty morn
ing air.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
1t is still fresh in my mind-my days in
domestic service. though something Of the
keen edge of the experiment has worn off
IN my later period Of wage-earning in an
other field of occupation.
At the end of two weeks. all expenses
paid, have g in my pocket.
1 have worn a blue ribbon about my neck.
a little knot Of black velvet In my yellow
hair (crimped during these especial days..
and a becoming blue and white blouse, for
which I paid IS cents.
There was not the slightest feeling Of
anxiety when put on these things. lest any
one should think me airy and too 'fixy"
for my place and the work was doing.
Looking well into the matter and learning
that factories had little difficulty in 4 ,cur-
ing and keeping women workers, while
hundreds of advertisements for domestic
help continued to appear In the daily pa
pers, determined to find out, IL possible,
in what the life Of factory girl differed
from that of the domestic that 1t should at
tract SO many.
Here are my books" politely and
obligingly said State Factory Inspector
Nordmeyer, when / called at his office on
the seventh floor Of the Lincoln Trust
building.
And looked into them and discovered:
Total number of women employed In St
1fOtiS kdCLOTIcS [c,Vf1.
What an armyI
OF this number 3.022 are under Is wears of
age.
As the child labor law Of Missouri SLOWS
neither boy nor girl to go to work in a
factory under the age Of IA. the youngest
girls who are there are misses VINO have
entered their 'teens''-proud little things.
spirited little things, many Of them, and
all with characteristic air Of American in
dependence that is rather more inspiring
than Objectionable.
In the ehoe factories, learned from Mr..
Nordmeyers books there are at work 1854
wamen. $50 Of these under Is.
NE tobacco factories there are 1880
W. Of this number misses, or minors,
not yet having counted eighteen summers.
TOBACCO AND SHOE
FACTORIES EMPLOY 46A WOMEN.
Since the tobacco and shoe factories COM
bined employ but 4.6A women, there re-
among various other industries-shirt fac
tories. suspender factories button factories
and the like.
II the count in the State Inspectors books
was exact then I made the twenty five
thousand and forty-ffth st. Louis fac
tory girl on ono Of those rare bright
mornings that we have had of late
when I appeared in the office Of the big fac
tory. stated that was seeking employment,
and was referred to the factory foreman
and politely told by the young man clerk
Just where to go in the big, busy, humm;ng
building to find him.
only paused long enough in the ONCE to
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

But as in the case Of the young and I'M
known singer who desires to obtain public
engagements, SO with the untried or OBJ
scure composer-there Is q royal road to
speedy notoriety which sometimes but not
always. brings genuine fame In its train.
We refer 20 the proceeding known Is the
royalty" system, under which eminent
singers receive fees for including certain
songs In their concert programmes. 1t be-
ing alleged. not without some show Of
justice. that each time an accomplished
vocalist renders q number. Q good adver-
tisement is thereby given to the composer
and publisher OF the item In question with
a possible impetus to its sale.
Much has been thought limited At in
speech. and openly said in the press. against
the ''iniquity'' Of the royalty system. Prob
ably 1t has its uses as well as its abuses.
Its worst features are that it brings
about a tendency to flood the market with
gilded rubbish-the well-to-do amateur, who
thinks that he can write but cannot. being
best able to win hearing for his effusions,
and that it tempts even the great artists
to sacrifice their own taste in choice of =
repertoire.
After all. II my Lady Nobody chooses to
pay Signorina Trillo a couple of guineas ev-
cry time she sings 1.-THE Butterfly's Bridal
Song" how is one to find fault. even If the
public applaud the magnetic personality and
charming vocalism Of the artist. rather
than the selection where genius. no matter
how deserving and persevering. must stoop
to bride exponen.s before a hearing can be
obtained.
When will publishers and singers learn
that, to permanently maintain their cli-
entele and audiences. the music issued and
rendered must, per Sc. be Of the best?
EPHEMERAL COMPOSITIONS.
II one can get into the right groove. and
have ability to I'LL Il, the composition Of
playable church music. and attractive in
strumental music. the drawing up Of ''ar-
rangements'' of popular works for various
instruments and combinations. the editing
Of classical editions. may be made worthy
source of livelihood
The writing of music-hall songs, pAnto-
mine baIlets. and so on. would certainly
benefit II always placed in the hands Of .
cultured II facile composer.
There Is no reason why such ephemagal
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22


WRITTEN FOR THD SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
If the young enthusiast, bubbling over
with music and musical IDEAS thinks that.
as composer, he will likely make a for
tune, the sooner he courts establishment
the better. The wealthy genius is rara
avis.
Mozart died at the full zenith Of his gifts
as the greatest Of melodists, and left not
enough money behind him to save him from
1nterment in pauper's grave. Franz Schu-
bert passed away on the threshold Of his
prime. having disposed Of only q few Of
his famous songs, and having been obliged
to accept the paltriest Of sums for some Of
the noblest and best Of them.
If Handel, Haydn and Beethoven made q
small. if-considering their giftg-exceeding-
ly modest competence. this came to them at
the close, rather than at the start and
middle Of their strenuousiy fought art bat
tie: and those who are acquainted with de-
tails OF the life OF Wagner know through
how many privations and dicappointme1ts
he was obliged to pass before he at last at
tained an alUest belated recognition.
These arerfacts. Instances Of the same
kind might be multiplied II the truth were
known Of the struggles OF the creative ar
list Of all epochs. 1t IL the fate Of the sower
that he does not always live to reap the
seed sown.
Some forms of musical creative work are
doubtless more lucrative than others: but
in all cases much depends Upon the cir
cumstances. as upon the temperament and
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22
etter situation. and. with her blessing. ]

better situation, and, with her blessing. I
left her roof.
Somewhat later the click. the snip and
the clatter of the machinery Of a shoe fac
tory fell upon my ear.
The routine, so far as hours and division
Of labor were concerned, was much the
same here as in the tobacco factory.
PLENTY OF LIGHT
AND FRESH AIR.
There was plenty Of light and fresh cir.
for this factory was one Of the new ones
also.
There was Hannah at the window bind
ing Shoes" to be sure. but not the poor,
faded Hannah Of the ronantists fancy
straining her eyes by q dim light.
This Hannah did piece" work, and swift
lily, indeed. she accomplished It The cut
ter did piece work, also.
oh. the hundreds and hundreds Of shoes!
Little shoes and big shoes. Shoes that were
to cover aged, slow-moving feet. and snoes
that were to cover eager. rowing little leet:
hating at the schooHoom. ana 1eet thae I'D"
swiftly to the call Of love.
Oh. 1 had never dreamed Of all that shoes
might tell until I went to work In Dig
shoe factory and wondered whether al tne
feet might tend for which We cut ana
stitched and turned leather!
The foreman did not take It amiss or
seem surprised II my ueSAAc AVA IiiAoA
when I asked him what part Of the coun-
try looked most to st. Louis for shoe sup
plies.
ut is the Southern and Western trade
that we cater most to-" said he. "tnougn
St. Louis ships shoes to Europe too now
The girls in shoe factories are usually
known as the "finishers." Examine your
shoes and you will find that the tongues
have bindings stitched around them. tnat
Innings must be cut and carefully ntted IN,
and that there are q lot Of other little ooos
and ends in the way Of dressing up to be
attended to before the shoe Il ready to meet
the eve Of the customer in the stores
All day long In the factory there was
lot Of human companionship.
I had missed this in my days Of domestic
service.
Every one seemed willing enough to cal
mo ..Ndiss'' Jones, and there did not seem
the slightest need Of fearing that my name
would degenerate into Maggie" unless
some girl should nickname me 10 OUT Oh
sort Of affectionate regard.
GREAT NUMBER OF
VERY PRETTY GIRLS.
There were a number Of very pretty girls.
a few slangy girls. and . very small per-
centage OF coarse ones.
There Il caste in the factories-let me as
sure you Of this-and It Is not the slangy
or the coarse girl who Is on the top OF the
crest Of the social wave. While she 70 not
exactly snubbed. she Is avoided, and must
depend upon her own little Clique or faction
to support her in her nippancy.
With but few exceptions the factory girl
under Is Is in her own home. with her
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

nut. one might imagine that song writihs
would be. to those who have Qualncauoiis
for It, q very fruitful source OF income.
Well-known ballads like Tostfs "Good-oy
or Governs Better Land" have repre-
scented, doubtless. steady source OF income
to composer and publisher. but the life OF
q song Is uncertain. and the fasnion IN
such matters is always changing
IMMORTAL MELODIES
There are some classes Of melody we may
well call immortal and these include tine
patriotic songs of people, and the folk
songs Of the country.
But the authorship Of these is hard to
trace and, as we know them. they have
become kind Of national property.
Any publisher who chooses can bring out
editions Of his own Of popular airs. and
any composer may take them as his themes
and weave round them tho wealth of his
musicianship.
Even when the composer Is known. the
output has been SO much in the nature of
q len d'esprit, usually improvised to suit
q specific occasion, that neither he nor his
heirs often reap any pecuniary benefit
thereby. There are some who even dis
pute Carey's claim to having written "God
an ayre Of John Bulls. Scottish carol.
and Gaelic folk song-and even Rouget
de L'Isle, Of Marseillaise fame scarcely
gets the credit that Is his due In having
produced one Of the most rousing Of pa
triotic march songs.
The most inexperienced Of musical dab
blers think they can write or invent origi-
nal melodies. and constantly infiict their
more experienced friends with string of
commonplace and worn-out tune-phrases.
Even the most accomplished musicians
approach melody writing. pure and simple.
with difidence. and prefer to throw the
strength Of their scholarship into harmony
and tone color.
The secret Of writing an air that will live
IL still mystery-as much a mystery as is
the growth of diamond Of the first water.
THE ROYALTY SYSTEM.
OF all song forms the ballad. as we know
II In the concert hall-the narrative of q
well-defined incident or sentiment adapted
to q more or less melodious setting for one
ivcice-is that which offers most possibility
Of remuneratiye return 70 the composer.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

''own folks" While the little girls callno1
earn so much as the older ones, Their are
able to at least support themselves ana 70.
lieve their overburdened parents OF fhs
strain Of clothing them. s4-
The American factory girl, having had. In
most cases. the advantage Of . grammar
school education. IL by no means to b
ciassed with the ilhtefate. The nsWspapeys
go the rounds In the factories, ana there
are few. Indeed. Of the workers who do mot
Keep posted upon the events Of the tfmes.
Tne factory girl considers herself In the
light OF q business woman. She like 70 10
this. and why not indulge her in the fancyY
II you want to offend her, Just assume an
ar OF patronage and say to her: NY deox.
girl. don't you think II would be vary much
better Tor you 10 go out to domestic ssrv-
fce-where you would have the protecffnn -
a refined home, your room and bosrd m.
piled, and your wages clear every month";
w nat! she will snap, with fire In her
eyes. 30 servant-never have Q ehAtee
70 get out Of the house or 70 anyvbsre9:s
her IMAGINATION STIMULATED
BY PLAYS sHD LIKES.
AND q she answers you, you can fancv
that In her minds eye IL the viaon Of tha
play she attended Just tne evening before.
where there was very good man and :
very bad man. and q very good woman ana :
very bad woman: which IL not such n Ma
sort Of thing after all. perhaps, since 4
stimulates Imagination, and has n eooA
moral attached
You viii not. II you are reasonable, ma
1t hard to forgive the factory girl for snap.
ping back at you with your air Of patron-
age. for 1t Is the dear delight Of q gfrys
heart to enjoy . bit Of freedom, and stneo
all hearty are much the same IN m thu
world. # Is small wonder that the faetory
GIRL as other girls, likes to have her "even-
ingS and Sundays free"
I have not tried to solve the servant.
girl" problem.
I have merely tried to discover why nnore
girls turn to the work In factories than 10
domestic service.
have satisfied my curiosity-at least. 10
my own satisfaction. From my latest al,
pertinent I have learned:
The factory girl works hard-very hard.
but the harder she works the more anonev
she earns. The hardest days are the mesa
profitable days; she has . little leisure to
look after her wardrobe and do some ~.
Ing; she has opportunity to mineie with her
friends: nobody cares II she INDUCES In 4
few little girlish vznities: II she attends
strictly to her business ana becomes pro-
ficient, she is advanced.
And, what to her Is best Of al, she tee
her little black 'fascinator'' over her hsaA
when the whistle blows 1t $50 and trudges
home in the twilight. reAli4ing that she q
. very Independent young wage-eafner.
And in this last Ii summed up, psrhApA
the secret Of why I would be . factory
girr' rather than ''hired girg'-uuder pre.
vailing conditions.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

there Is no doubt 1t might be made much
better and more wholesome ~ wen a
agreeable than 1t often Il.
The subject deserves more thought than
has hitherto been given to It We comnsn1
1t to our musical readers
Copyright. 1908. by D. T. piercA.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

In this series Of articles about music Annie W.
Patterson. and Engishwoman. approaches her
subject from British viewpoint Her sugges-
lions and opinions are. however. in most partic-
uiars. applicable to conditions in the United
States,
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-22

Having found a boarding place in the
neighborhood at s25o-to Se paid when l
earned 1.-THE problem OF roof had been
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-08-25

Tom Cooper Of Guthrie. is visiting
his sister, Mrs. T. F. Milliken, Of N
Rock rs.and avenue.-El Reno Ameri-
can.
Attorney c. G. Hornor and DIR. c. S.
Petty of Guthrie. Okla, are spending
a month at the different points OF in
terest radiating from Manitou-M Mani
tou (Colo) Springs Journal
J. s. Foraker OF Arkansas City, is a
guest at the Elks.
r. T. Gndley of Arkansas City,
claim agent Of the Santa Fe is in the
city.
J, ". Higginbotham of Dublin, Tex,
is a visitor in the city
W. J. Jackson is here from Kansas
City
Senator r. NJ Campbell OF oklaho-
ma City. Is in the city
Senator Blakeuey Of Shawnee. is
here today
Sheriff Hesser and wife Of stnl-
water, are IN the city today
W. F. McEldonney Of Chicago Is in
the city
Policeman Geo. Dean has returned
from trip 10 Hiawatha. Kas
Miss Grace Jankus Of Blackwell who
hs been visiting Miss Louie Thomas,
returned to her home last evening.
Miss Amanda OConnor, assistant in
the piano department Of the Terri
torial University. went 10 Norman to
day to make preparations for the
years work
Dr. Harriet Hullck went 10 Oklaho-
ma City on this mornings train
Governor T. B. Ferguson goes 10
Norman tomrrow TO address the Uni
ted Confederate Veterans reunion.
f. L Garaeld, a prominent Boston
capitalist is IN the city the guest 81
Judge O. r. Brooks. ~
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-08-25

Every great good has its drawbacks.
Men are misiudged and projects Grip
pied through envy. malice and hatred.
Environments do not always control
in times mutations and laehrymose
issues have grown and fiourished
where predicted successes have failed
Every man is entitled to his own pc
cVlar views, but we want to say that
the shiboletb Of home protection is
IS old as Sinai The mill will never
grind with the water that has passed
The thought is wonderfully carried out
n Corinthians 3:v. The fetish of get
Ae cheapest wherever you may, and
bkin 'eln, is also ancient-as much so
rs in Israel itself where the habit was
,fGmed. Pocahontas saved the life Of
'iohn smith Smith was trying TO in
|iull the idea of home protection, in
iustry and thrift among the Indians.
md the reds treacherously got TO him.
Some Of John Smiths descendants are
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-08-25

the homie Of the brides parents In
Kansas city Only tho immediate rel
atiyes OF the bridal couple we're pres
ent The couple left Kansas City on
the evening train shortly after the
marriage arriving in Guthrie this
morning The announcement today
wac great surprise 10 the many
friends OF the couple
The bride Is well known IA the city
having been a resident of Guthrie sew
eral years during which time by her
attractive manners she gained many
friends and acquaintances. She was
prominent in all church and social
circles
Mr.. Graves Is one OF Guthrie's prom
inent business men. For several
months he has been proprietor OF the
Kentucky Livery Stables and Las be-
come recognized as one OF the best OF
the business men Of the city.
Mr. and Mrs. Graves are stopping a.
the Astor hosne temporarily and Ia a
few days viii be at home to their many
friends.
The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1903-08-25

Mr.. and Mrs. e Crawford passed
through the city yesterday enroute to
their home in Oklahoma City from a
months vacation trip spent In Colo
rado.
Mrs Lizzie vlnson Of st. Louis who
has been the guest Of her son, B. G.
vinson returned TO her home last
evening.
Ex-Governor Jenkins is here from
Kaw City to spend a few days with
his family.
Chief Of police Reynolds is visiting
relatives in Topeka.
c. M. Hodge returned yesterday from
weeks pleasure trip in Kansas City.
Urial Hume is here from Guthrie
TO work as operator in the South yard
Office. He takes the place of Opera
tor Talkington, who goes to the West
ern Union at Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas city Traveller.
Mr.. Harold Renfro left last evening
for visit to Gainesville Texas, in the
interest Of the Renfro Drug company.
]. J. RaymalSer. Kingfisher poll
tician, is in the city.
T. b. Truax and w B. Mayabb Of
the Fort Smith and Western railroad,
are here today guests at the Astor.
W. II. Mathews of Mulhal, is in
the city
Attorney NJ. Fulton was here from
Oklahoma City today.
T. NJ Bayless OF Little Rock. Ark,
is a guest at the Royal
w. E. Ogston. Santa Fe roadmaster.
was in the city today
c. d. Stevens Of Dayton Ohio, was
in the city today.
H. b. Gnkerson is here from wich-
ita
c. A. Taylor returned to his home In
Holdenville, l. T., after spending a
few weeks in the city looking after
his immense fruit interests
]. W. soothorn went TO oklahoma
City to attend the races.
Deputy Marshal Holt was in the
city today from FL Reno
Emmett Gregg, the Santa Fe de
tective. went to Purcell today
S. c. Younger was here from okeen'
today
supt. L. w Baxter is at Langstol
today attending a meeting OF the
board Of regents Of the Langston uni
vesrity
NJ. Porter Ragland of Hurrah, is il
the city
r. R, Housch Of choctaw, is in tn
city.
Mr.. and Mrs. r. r. FAINT of Ana
darko are in the city.
Mrs. Belle Hedland Of Cement,
, here today.
E supt. Tice of hte Santa Fe was /
3 the city today
( Fred G. Van Duyn returned this a.
ternoon from weeks sojourn a
Gueda Springs