The San Francisco call., 1906-08-12

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mo side the door and viii
a polish them for you" said
senior at a well-kno~n
woman's college to a wealthy young
freshman at the beginning Of the term
The newcomer was somewhat star
sled. She wanted 10 have her shoes
Dolisbed. but she fancied a ianitor
would be around to do the work In
stead. here was q hne-looking' self
respecting schoolmste offering 70 polish
her shoes.
As she BECAME better acquainted with
college life and conditions the younger
girl ceased TO regard the offer made by
her senior as remarkable. She found
number Of girls in the school who were
adding 10 their finances by selling their
talents or their labor.
She found. too. that such girls were
ss highly respected by their comrades
as the petted daughter Of a millionaire
n many instances more so.
So little. in fact, does the Rristocraey
of wealth hold at most such institutions
that an incident at wellesley may be
cited as an illustration.
II is stated that q college bootblack
there-she was one or the best pupils
in school-one day found herself over
whelmed with commissions.
Her room mate a wealthy girl, who
doubtless had never shined her own
shoes in her life. rolled UP her sleeves,
pitched in 10 help and never ceased
plying the polishing brush until the
last shoe was cleaned and shining.
Then the two girls washed their
hands and went merrily together TO
college entertainment
It is estimated that at least hfty girls
Of Vassar earn their own living. or at
least add largely TO limited resources.
In fact, some do such thriving
businesses that not only DO they make
their way through college but have
substantial sums left at the end OF each
school year.
Several girls tutor their rich sisters:
others began making peek-a-boo shirt
waists when that particular type OF
garment frst came INTO vogue. They
vesped quite a harvest
A number OF students own bicycles,
and they post notices on a big bulletin
board in one OF the corridors. along
with other advertisements. announcing
that the wheels are for rent by the
hour Quite a nice little revenue is
derived in this way.
Two young women have built up q
-
nessness in making tasty apple Gus
tard.
These young women tried their wares
when they first came TO college, and
soon there was a great demand for
them Now stands N front OF their
rooms are laden with these delica acies.
and the girls. rs they pass by, take
" cup and leave dime.
Several dollars DAY find their way
p into. the poeketbooks Of the young
caterers. Vassar has large room pro-
ssEided with stoves, tables and utensils
for cooking and making candy. a
great many girls manufacture confec-
-tions there-especially fudge. This is
on sale at stated places and nets the
makers considerable profit
The richer girls seem TO appreciate
the efforts of their less fortunate class
mates and many q time twice the price
OF an article is paid
No girl has ever been known 10 lose
caste in Vassar through her efforts to
pay her way, but rather she becomes
favorite with her classmates. All who
are thus employed have high standing
in their work
Sorne years ago a visitor 1T vassar
found in the senior class alone twenty
FIVE girls who had thus helped them
selves through school. while a large
number OF others were scattered
through the lower classes
The college itself, it was learned. had
several positions TO offer which gave
some remuneration. Two girIG had
charge OF the institutions postofhcc and
several others distributed mail through
the corridors. One was caretal1er of
the chapel another kept the hall and
parlors supplied with flowers; still
others worked in the library.
J. Those OF artistic tastes or practical
endowments made money by painting
dinner cards. calendars, valentines and
other such season2ble articles; some
derived a revenue from knitting slip
pers and golf jackets others BY making
gymnasium suits.
AS the college is some distance from
the town, a number Of girls pick up
handy additional revenue by acting as
agents for merchants. They sell candy.
lace collars, ribbon and even room fur
nishings.
Mount Holyoke girls seem to acquire
thriftipess from the brisk New Eng
land air that they breathe. During the
d summer vacations many of them work
10 replenish their purses for the COM
ing season. Some act as mattresses at
mountain and seaside hotels during the
summer.
Girls at Mount Eolyoke are agents
for. publishing houses and magazines
end occasionally for manufacturers of
gloves, corsets and such things.
IT is stated, however, that most of
them take I'D these side lines more in