New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-06-14

one hears most often, and an answer that IS
most often untrue
The show girl, just as surely as the woman in
society must keep her dignity and her reputa-
ton Even making lucky strikes in Wall Street
is not as popular it was when some festive
broker first licked it off.
This was the way it was done: The broker
would give out the tip" and ask the show girl
if she did not choose TO take flyer" There
is no need of your advancing anything" he
would say. This is sure, ard III just take
few shares for you" The hing always was
sure and the show girl was never called on for
margins nor was she ever "wipeJ out" Every
little while she received check which repre-
sented her winnings. This kept Up until the
broker expected some special favor or other and
did not get it.
There are some show girls in New-York whose
parents are we'll to do. and they add allowances
to their salaries. or live at home The number
is not large, however. The majority have SO
or $50 a week sure, and on that they figure out
a living. The economies they practise are not
unlike those Of the chorus girl, although they DO
not go so far
One bright particular show girl, with The
Runaways," supports her mother and herself
entirely on the salary she receives. Her mother
keeps the tiny apartment they call home. acts
as her daughters maid, takes her to and from
the theatre, rubs her, cares for her hair. her
nails; in fact lives for her The girl appreciates
it, even to the extent of stinting herself Of the
trif4s which are joy to the show girls heart
There are number of show girls who live In
pairs renting two or three rooms In the old
fashioned but eminentIy respectable houses west
of the avenue and below Fifty-ninth-st- Econ
omy No. l is taking care of their rooms them
selves for a slight reduction in rent. Even
show girl can make the little couch beds so
prevalent in quarters of limited size. There is
a knack about sweeping which is usually ac-
quired in hair-down-one's-back days. busting
is a trick that most girls learn before leaving
home.
Economy No. is also an easy one, and con-
sists of cooking light breakfast over tiny
gas stove. which, when not in use. can be out
Of sight in the closet A show girl has canary
bird" breakfast appetite. anyway.
Sometimes stunt for a rainy Sunday,
when there are no engagements and callers are
not expected, a more pretentious meal may be
attempted. The show girl who cooks at all al
ways has a store of canned things in her locker,
and with tomato soup, eggs in fancy style. bis
cults of several sorts, and perhaps some pre-
serves from home. the dinner is appetizing.
And suppose. as has happened more than
once, an unexpected guest drops in. Is the
show girl ashamed of her economy? Does she
try to make out she is doing it for the fun OF
it? She takes it exactly as a matter of course,
and if the guest has tact he swallows the in
vitatiOn TO elaborate hotel dinner which he
was about to offer, and sits down to the show
girls home made meal 1t is vastly more dam
gerous than the other suppers he has had with
her-dangerouS in q real and lasting way.
Another economy, not SO enjoyable, but even
more saving is the washing of handkerc hefs,
stocks and the score of little things that women
wear and laundries ruin She can iron them, too.
on the marble topped table which adorns the
rooms of most old houses in which
for rent.
An unexpected visit in the afternoon is apt
to bring upon her darning stockings long.
thin, silky hose That is a great economy. for
holes at heel and toe come all too soon. even IL
one does sometimes get a present of dozen
pairs.
And for the last word from The Tribune's
informant: Then the show girl must lose no
opportunity to secure free advertising for her
management She must pose for everything and
every body, from editors OF fashion syndicates 70