The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-08
By mqrxaret D. sangater.

By Marxarct E. sangster.
 fcopyright 1908, by Joseph B. BcwlesD
 Whatever you do, don't pity yourself.
 Don't spend time in wishing your were better off. that you had more money. an easier position. longer vaca- tions, and a better time. Nobody has SO good a time as the person who has work to do that is necessary in the great scheme Of things. and that she Thoroughly understands. Your work may be obscure. but if 1t IS well done, 1t counts for just as much as the work of the greatest man or woman on this earth.
 The chief trouble Is with some of us that we are too ready to think of our selves before we think of our work. This Is the most wasteful blundef that can be made Put the work first and yourself second. and make up your mind that if you are taking wages from anybody, you will earn every dol lar of them to the last cent.
 One morning some months ago l stood by an open window in dense " crowded section of New York city. It was away down town where the foilers live, and watched with great interest the procession Of people who were going to their places of business. Although 1t was early. they had been at breakfast and were walking stead- fly forward toward the offices. shops ana factories where each had his and her place In that throng l noticed great many girls. Some were aloEe, others were In pairs or groups. but all had the intent. eager appearance Of those who were straining toward goal
 They had the advantage over the idle rich of being the busy poor. But they did not look in the least as though pov- erty were a burden Or a handicap. Most of them were comfortably dressed with short skirts and jackets. trim little sailor hats and well-shod feet; their eyes were bright they wore the air of those who had pleasant day before them After all, what is wealth except a good deal of luggage to carry on the road? What is poverty except marching without too much weight to cucumber ones steps? Nobody Is poor who can pay her way and save little for the day of sickness, or the day when the works may shut down Mo- body is rich who has more desires than she has dollars 10 gratify them.
 If one Is a poor girl who must work, 1he wise course for her is to try to advance her own worth in the market. For example, one should not be con- tented to be a mediocre saleswoman or a Hlovely stenographer. or a mere drudge who watches the clock to as- GNTIA1H W1Gn che may drop her work at the first stroke that sets her free Because one has not much money, there is no reason why her work should be rated low in the scale. A girl who is an expert in what she undertakes. who IS responsi- hie. punctual and Accommodating will surely forge ahead.
 One girl think of whose early home was in a rear tenement, in a great city, whose educational advantages were ex- fremely limited. and who learned her art of stenography and typewriting in working girls club. in the evenings of a winter when she was serving in the daytime as a cash girl in decart- rnent store. She found employment in . publishing house. At first her lack of vocabulary and of general informa- ton told against her, but she was quick witted and watchful, and neglected no detail Very soon she mastered all that che needed to make ner valuable Be- fore long she was known in a large es- tabIiehment as young woman who might be depended upon, who was efi- ciert. trustworthy and capable. ohe was promoted from one department to another, and her salary was increased from time to time. After awhile she was able to give up ner work and as- tnblish herself independently as a wo- man of business employing others. Force. energy and skill help their pfs- segs0r, and she had them.
 
 A young woman who undertakes reg uIar daily work must remember that her health is her most important asset. Tn going to and from the office or mill or shop, she must be dressed for any weather, and she must not commit the folly of spending so much on her best clothes that she has no everyday ones fit to wear business outfit should include an umbrella, overshoes and rain coat. In these days of shirtwaists that may be easily laundered, there is no excuse for presenting an untidy ap- paarance at business. In many of the larger stores. a sort of uniform is in- sisted upon. and 1t usually makes the wearer look both trim and pretty. A simple black frock with white collar and cuffs is becoming to any young wo- man. and it quite saves her from the vulsarity of glaring colors and cheap 1ewelry
 A working girl should be at pains to wear shoes that At her feet and she should keep them well polished and