The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-29

But the young woman stenographer in the
ONCE was kind, and helped me over all the
hard places the first day. She was very
busy, from $50 in the morning until $50 in
the afternoon
She was pretty. with lsdylike sentility
that I felt certain must win her respect
But watched her narrowly to detect those
signs of an inclination Of fiirt that 1t has
been intimated. upon occasion. ia rampant
in tho makeup of the girl in the business
office.
SHE FINDS A SUITABLE
BOARDqNG-PLACE
There was a reserve Of manner that
could not at once break through. But late
in the afternoon had enlisted her interest
and, perhaps, sympathy. by asking her II
she knew a reasonable and pleasant place
where I might board.
AT the house where I am staying" she
told me. II think you might be accommo-
dated I know that they have one little
room vacant just now. unless you care to
! take a larger room with some other girl"
I thanked her, wrote down the number Of
the house. while I decided that the little
room would suit me best.
We left the office together. and hadn't
tho least feeling Of doubt as went up the
boarding house steps with the quiet young
woman that where she would choose to
lodge there also might care to so after
days work In an Office was done
For the little hall room l was to pay 81 q
| week with breakfast and supper. and three
meals on Sunday. MY daily luncheons I
would have to provide myself with down.
town at extra cost. I was not asked to pay
my board In advance.
The next day my acquaintance with my
office associate ripened. This evening Of that
day I spent with her In her room. I had
moved to the clearinghouse. 1t was a pref
ty ROOM with touches here and there that
showed the taste Of its occupant.
She showed me the pictures of her mother.
father and sisters and brothers, who are
UP in Lincoln County. Missouri, and the
picture too. Of the pride Of her heart the
brother who is now In st. Louis studying 10
be physician-his tuition paid for by his
sister. my office companion.
The girls eyes sparkled and her cheeks
glowed as she told me Of the cleverness of
this brother. and Of how they all loved him;
that 1t had always been his dearest wish
to study medicine. and Of how she had come
to town to earn a salary and help him
through his course, as there were younger
children at home to be clothed and schooled.
Another purposeful working GIRL"
| thought /.
| SALARY NOT AGREED
| UPON IN ADVANCE
1t was a little strange, and certainly I'M
businesslike. / reflected next day, not to
have asked my employer what salary I was
| to receive, but somehow I felt that he was
| a man who would regulate wages by ones
ability to earn more than to expect one to
| toll indefinitely for definite sum fixed in
| advance. regardless Of ones capacity as u
| worker. 1t was at luncheon time that re-
| hected that I should know positively just
| what 1 was earning, SO that would keep
well within my income.
THE woman's MONDAY Club on Sixth
street." my office-mate suggested. you will
fine a very good place. Miss Jennie BowIes
is at the head OF this, and a number Of
| girls go there every day."
| I swelled the ranks OF Miss Bowles's pa
irons by one and climbed the stairs to the
| dining-room.
| The bill Of fare there showed that you
could get complete meal, with soup, meat
| and vegetables, or dishes priced at cents
each.
| 1 had decided that my luncheons were to
cost me but Is cents daily, as found this
the expenditure of the average Office woman
or clerk. No matter how my appetite ragged,
would restrain it, keep It within the Is
cents limit
My. my. what a buzz and a hum and
! a chatter!
How tired some Of the girls looked, how
hurTiedly many Of them ate, and how the
ice cream and cream puffs did ny!
Meat and potatoes were sadly neglected!
II must hurry" said the girl with the eye
glasses, so that I can do little shopping
to-day. I haven't had half an hour all win
ter to as much as peep In the stores-''
All, the stores with their pretty windows
windows decked out for the especial de-
location Of femininity!
I Joined with the scramble Of the other
girls to get while in the stores.
HER APPRECIATION
OF THE NOON HOUR.
Noon hours had never seemed such pre-
cious things until I had begun my wage
earning experiments. OF course. when was
a ''hired girl" the noon hour was not
marked by any special relaxation. In my
l"factory girl days-yes. can feel the thrill