The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-04-30

For the past fifteen years. ever since
woman, that creature hitherto go in
offensive, invaded the business world,
men have either pitied or rallied against
the "eirl who works. Articles have
been written about her in the maga-
zines, telling of her hardships, her trsg-
ic lot and how she misses the shelter
Of a home. Other articles have in
weighed against her lack OF domesticity,
what she is losing by her independence
and the menace her invasion of the
commercial world is to men. And
through it all the girl goes on work
deadly ennui of middle-class home;
sometimes sadly. because she was es-
sentially feminine, and again indiffer
emily, because she simply must-the
very best reason to make one reconciled
to ones lot.
In Salt Lake City women have al
ways been wage e-earners-perhaps be
cause the pioneer women were sturdy,
energetic lot. At any rate, the male
"queer' for his women folks to want
to work. Yet there are many girls IN
Zion who do not work; whose parents,
while not rich, perhaps hardly comfort
able, are yet satisfied to have their
daughters idle at homo, Up to the age
Of II she has gone TO school, probably.
and then, for some reason or other
poor health, idleness, or nerves-she
quits and stays at home. And then
lessons and has q piano. Very well,
she viii practice. She will study her
French and embroider and Hhelp
mother" This last is tho most beauti
full deusion of all.
Every part of the city shelters these
idle oDes-young women who are up-
fortunate enough to have parents at
to give the girl a chance to hustle for
herself, too poor to have the education
which would enable them TO realize that
a human being without responsibility,
work OF ambition, Is a parasite on the
community.
Today in Salt Lake City there are
probably thousand girls ranging from
the age Of Is to 20, and older, who
lead jpst such a life as the schedule
theater treat, a party or dance, din
ner out or new dress. But never for
one moment is there breath Of
healthy, wholesome striving. The girl
exists and is content, filing up the
many dull, weary hours with thoughts
of some him, CHM who may or
may not be unworthy-it doesp It mat
tcl, btSduht 5uc il<iS W Luluh Oh SONIC
one-reading trash books, OF indulging
in gossip with equally as silly girl
friends. Through the whole day,
through her whole existence. runs the
sonber gray thread of boredom, and
only marriage looms ahead as a break
in the monotony. She doesn't know
housekeeping; it hurts her hands. She
can t SOW; it makes her back ache; and
she doesn't study much because it gets
her nervone. Just poor little lily
whose mother has pitifully kept her
from toiling and spinning and happi-
ness.
Then there is the girl who works. 1t
IS hard to get up, Of course, at half
past 6, and she yawns and grumbles
during dressing. But after her hair has
been prettily fixed in the style her
dearest friend taught her yesterday, and
her mont, we'll fitting black dress
donned, Ehe feels herself again and
gives the pretty face In the mirror a
satisfied smile, The hours are long at
the store, but lunch is break, and then
there is always something new, and
just work makes her fearfully hungry.
Her young man drops in, as he always
ldoes, aud invites her to go to the theA,