The Washington herald., 1909-01-24

Dear Sir: I have been reading your
advice ever since The Washington Herald
started, and I IKE Il 7 know Just what
TO wear at all the big social things. Just
how 10 act, almost what to say: 1 know
ell about dinners and chaperons, and
conduct at the theater, and how to ride
and drive. but. dear Mr.. Arbiter, never
DO any OF these things, and probably
never VIII, for I stand behind a counter
all day selling soaps, perfumery. lip
salves. and powder 10 fashionable people
Have you no message for Us shop-girls?
We need IL more than the rich. for they
can buy instruction and We cannot.
These are some Of the things I want to
know: What shall I do when the floor
walker scowls at me for some mistake, or
reports me. and I feel as If I would burst
into tears? What shalt do when some
fine lady rails at NE OF treats ne as
though I were the dust under her feet?
Am !. whose ancestor was one OF the
signers OF the Declaration OF Independ-
ence. 70 humbly accept such insults?
What an 4 10 do when some swell gen
tleman, because my hair curls and my
cheeks are red and I an stu young, IS
too familiar in his conduct to me, and
asks ne 10 q little supper, OF for lonely
drive What am I and those Ike ne 20
co II the aggravating situations in which
our position places Us? VIII you stop
writing about the rich for one Sunday.
dear Mr. Arbiter, and devote paper 10
Gs-iust Gs2
This little girl had doubtless been
"scowled" at by the floor walker, snubbed
by some fine lady 20. or Ogled by some
idiotic Johnny when she wrote this let
ter. for there is a CITY in Il that shows q
troubled spirit-a Cry that comes from
the heart-ald II IS no use 10 shout plati-
tudes 10 such a suffering soul But be-
cause she stands behind a counter, and
Is subjected 70 al the annoyance that
such a position brings. she must not as
sumo that she IS alone IN her suffering
The society yOung woman who yester-
day had her chocolate IN bed al Il
O'Clock. went 70 luncheon at . devoted
the afternoon 10 going from one tea to
another, dined out, and then danced IN
III early morning, has often as many an
Eoyences, as many tribulations and trials
IS her sister who sells soap, Perfuaery,
and LID salve 10 the fashionable people.
and she may not be half IS much use in
the world. may not have the privilege Of
doing as much good. or Of carrying into
the lives Of others so mucb sweetness
ans love
There IS Just as mucn opportunity
more opportunity, indeed-for q shop girl
20 show birth. breeding. and character
as for the most petted and pampered
child Of Vanity Fair and If The Arbiter
has neglected 20 especially consider this
class IN his advice, it Is not through any
lack Of sympathy OF appreciation Of their
worth. but because what he has said
generally in regard 10 ethics and man
hers would be as applicable TO them as
their more fortunate" G.? sisters.
Before answering my correspondent
questions specifically, want 70 remind
her that labor IS the greatest blessing
ever given 10 man
There's dignity II z5o.
Truer than ere poup arTzyed-
According 10 Horace. '1abOTare est
orare, which, rendered into English,
means that 70 work is 70 pray He also
speaks Of II as sweet sOlace,' and Il
you viii consult any physician Of the
modern school he viii tell you that work
IS better than medicine.
There IS woman IN Washington who
vas likely 70 become insane. She was
weary. she was blase, she was unhappy.
she suffered ali sorts OF imaginary ills
went from sanatoriUn to sanatorium,
crossed the wafer two OF three times n
search Of health. and finally herself ad-
mitted and was accepted by her family
as a confirmed invalid 4 grumpy old
German nerve specialist, who had more
respect for his professional reputation
than for her wealth OF her nerves, at
last told her very bluntIy that she was
rOttiGg to death. not al elegant express
sion. but 2 true one
What you need" he said, is occupa-
ton, something 10 take you out OF your
self. something that interests you Climb
the Alps. 90 TO the north pole, teach
little ring-tail monkeys how 10 sing, dc
anything, but get 10 work
She founced out OF his consultation
room a very angry person. She was IN
a rage-n fact, she fumed, rallied. walked
the floor in passion. but. strange TO say,
after this ebullitOn Of rage felt better
She had been actually taken out Of her
self. and when on returning 10 her senses
E-LE AD-14ELC4 ALlll6 over LlelL LLlg OLu
specialist had told her, with the result
that she began studying q subject that
had always Interested her because her
husband owned large manufactures in
New England the conditions OF the
working woman She Travelled through
Europe, visited all the manufacturing
towns, and watched these women On their
own heath at their labors. What she
fau -
here. and became so absorbed in the work
that she forgot she had ever been III and
there IS more TO this story. but this SUI
fees TO illustrate the blessings Of labor
and 50 my little friend behind the counter
should be very happy that she has the
privilege OF being there.
How TO make a success Of your worlz
IS the important question Application
and ability are the two greatest means
70 this end. United they are invisible
means separated they accomplish bur
little Earnest application IS. q panacea
for al woes and irritations. II the girl
behind the counter viii put her whole
strength and energy into her work and
CO al she does with all her might and
al her intelligence, she viii not invoke
the scolos and scowls Of the hoorwalker. /
nor viii she notice the lofty airs OF the /
me LADY OF the insinuations OF the young I
foci from up town Bear in mind that 1
z person who feels her own dignity can
not De insulted. She IS as unconcerned. /
as unmoved, as unaffected in her own I
hlgh position by such vulgarity as IS 1
the Goddess Of Liberty on The dome OF
the capitol, protected from stones that /
might be thrown at her. An insult hurts 1
the one who gives il, not the one a.
whom Il is aimed.
As 10 the aggTavating situations in
which your position places rou averv
one has 70 face aggravating situations
the emperor on his throne. the coaT4
naa--a-- IN IL