The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-12
THE GIRL WHO BOARDS
SHE TELLS HER TROUBLES IN
A LETTER
When the Man of the House Takes
Hold the soarders Don't Have
Enough to Eat-Sugeestion for
Home for Working Girls

Marie, what is going to become of
the working girl who is forced to take
her meals in the average st. Paul
boarding house? 1t is getting to be
a mighty serious matter, as only those
who have tried it can testify, and the
act of eating becomes disagreeable
task, instead Of a pleasure.
When a mans finances run little
low he and his wife have a heart to
heart talk and decide to keep a board
home cookingi home made bread!
They know the bait that will catch
the tired and hungry working girl
who wants a wholesome meal The
first week the girl feels as though
she had at last found what she has
been spending weary months looking
for. Before the week is up the num-
Der of boarders has doubled. The
woman of the house begins to realize
that she has a bigger proposition be-
fore her than she anticipated. The
man of the house concludes that he
should manage the financial part of
the enterprise, that there is money
in it, with proper management such as
he would be able to contribute, so he
gives up his position and takes things
in hand, explaining to his wife that
he feels she needs his assistance, that
the work is too heavy for her alone.
Now they begin to plan on not how
good but how cheap they can buy,
not how much but how little, and the
first thing you know the boarders are
supporting the family (Which is usu-
ally large on the fat of the land,
while hash and such like is their por-
ton. The bOarders hang on week
after week; trusting that their first
cherished hopes might again be real
lied, but not so, and they seek other
fields only to find similar conditions
existing.
Now, Marie what we want is. to
interest some enterprising man with
a charitable heart in the building of a
home for girls not a cheap one, either)
to be run on a cooperative plan, and
self-supporting; the object of the
home being not for poor girls-for the
Women's Friendly association covers
that nicely-but a home for girls who
are able to pay for what they cannot
get, the protection of a home, and
home comforts and accommodations.
This is carried out in many large cities
successfully. "A Working Girl.
Your letter is very interesting and
concerns something 1 had not thought
of before, except that ones heart goes
out to the many girls who are obliged
to board. The suggestion you make
about home for girls is a good one,
If the right person could be found to
manage it and if the city is large
enough for that sort of thing. What
YOU mean, L fancy, is a sort of apart
ment house or hotel for women such
as has been established in New York
1 suppose you know that it is a diff
cult matter TO make money out of
boarding house and at the same time
give the boarders a very good table
So, at least, 1 have been informed. 1t
is, of course, easy to see that when the
man of the house gets into the bust
ness, that the boarders are not likely
to have as good time as before. He
usually sweeps the porch, bows the
people in and out of the dining room
and collects the bills very promptly.
He also keeps tab on the affairs of
those in the house Boarding houses
should always be kept by widows.
Now, if some st. Paul man with large
means looking for an investment,
should happen to read your letter he
may make use of your suggestion and
do something for you.