The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-21

Salesady, salesgirl, saleswoman, shop.
s4r1, store girl-wh.oh OF these appelations
most aptly suit the girl who stands be-
hind the counter hi the stores OF our
large cities. We call man go employed,
clerk or salesman; we would never
think OF saying sales gentleman or store
man or shop man or sales boy: besides we
do not call our stores shops as do the
English: then why should we say shop
girls? 1t would appear, then. that sales.
woman is really the proper word, al.
though It is less used, perhaps, than any
OF the others. store-glrl Is the one most
commonly heard, and so for convenience
we will use 1t throughout this discussion:
notwithstanding some OF the girls are
women, upon whose heads the SHOWS OF
many winters have left their whitening
touch and In whose faces may be seen
the lines Of care traced by many
q sorrow and, others are mere children
who have scarcely reached their teens.
In the early morning hurrying from
every quarter OF our city come the store
girls intent upon reaching the store
and registering their names before the
city clock shall chime the hour OF ..
There is one thing about these girls that
will not fall to be noticed. and that is
their neat and appropriate dress The day
OF Cheap finery for girls Is a thing
f
what constitutes a suitable business dress
and knowing this they dress accordingly.
A walking skirt OF good material, stylish.
I ~ made, and a fresh linen or cotton shlrt.
waist. varied In summer by the shirt.
waist suit. and In winter by a bright
flannel waist. Is the most general cos.
tune. 1t Is remarkable. too how fresh
and tidy these girls will look in the after
noon after long busy day. apparently
there is not soied spot on their shirt.
waist. and their collars seem as fresh az
they were in the morning.
When We hear the words store girl We
naturally think only OF the girls employed
In our large dry goods and millinery
stores. but second thought Will show
us that these are by no means the only
store girls In our city. In almost every
Z kind OF store we find them-jewelry
stores. shoe stores. bakeries, CONNECTION
cry stores and. last OF all innovations, in
employed In clothing stores. grocery
stores and even fish and meat markets.
The reason for this Is two-fold They
may be employed much cheaper and they
do the 100 better
withoL discussing each OF the above
classes. 81: Will briefly consider, under
three general divisions, the store girl and
her work.
First. the cashier. Here is necessary
quick calculation. swiftness OF movement,
accuracy and ability to stand n severe
nervous strain. Take. for instance. a
bargain day In one OF our big dry goods
esta blishments, with special sales adver-
tised for almost every hour In the day.
Now stand near the cashiers desk and
watch her. See how quickly she reads
the ticket and makes the change OF one
sale, only to pass to the next on and on,
with the precise. regularity OF an automa-
ton. never so much as glancins up. 1t
Is simply marvellous that brain and fin
gers can work SO swiftly and so harmo-
niously. Presently a lull comes. The
girl raises her head. heayes sigh.
squares her shoulders, straIghtens her
co''ar and generally prepares herself for
a.tner rush. Soon 1t begins again. and
tickets. bills and coins fly through the
busy fingers that handle change and keep
account OF hundreds and even thousands
o! dollars in one day. This Is the strain
that woman endures for ten hours per
day. Is 1t any wonder that they grow
old before their time or that their health
often fails them? THE thing that wor-
rles me most" said cashier the other
day, ''is for the manager. or even one
Of the girls, to tell me to make haste
or to hurry up with that change: II
an; not careful. it will completely rattle
ne.'
Second. the sales-girls In a large de-
partment store arriving at their post at
so'clock A. NJ. The first thing these girls
must do IS to uncover, dust and arrange
their stock. Here some girls gain and
others lose, for some girls have an ar
tstic eye that will enable them to make
a display that will attract custom, while
others Just as willing, have not this gift.
The customers begin to come In, the
girls with pleasant smile and quick
alert bearing, are ready to serve each
purchaser. II love to go to rs store"
said one lady to another. "the girls are so
accommodating and pleasant and no mat
ter how hard am to please they never
seem to get wearled or out OF patience
On through the lony busy day they go
serving with impartial courtesy rich and
moor polite and impolite. those who buy