New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-09

At the corner OF Avenue e and East 4th
draped with black last week. there IS a
dark-walled solemn looking building. which
for years has been the Holy Cross Mission
of the Sisters OF ST. John the Baptist. In
side the walls used 10 be dark and sombre.
too. but they have recently been treated TO
a new coat of cheerful white. The dinsy
furniture has disappeared. and in its place
are fresh blue and white cretonne curtains
and crisp. new wicker chairs. Partitions
have been taken down. and all the light
that reaches Avenue c at all floods into
the big, open rooms.
All this means that a host OF young girls
has taken possession Of the place. 1t has
been changed from mission school TO a
boarding house for working girls, and the
sweet faced sister In charge knows that no
place is fit for young girl 10 live in unless
il has blue and white curtains. Nor does
there seem TO be anything else that girls
like that the same thoughtful sister mas
forgotten. The care with which the new
home has been planned was evident at
every turn, when the Tribune reporter was
conducted over II.
The dining room is at the top of the
fourth floor, with fourteen big windows
looking out across the roofs of the East
Side 10 the river On the roof is space for
gardens. next summer. and in pleasant
weather the sister wants the girls to sleep
up there 1t will be necessary, however
for Providence TO supply hammocks, she
saws, for she has no intention of allowing
her nice new hair mattresses and cots 10
be dragged up and down stairs, even on
hot nights.
Next to the dining room is big laundry
where the girls will be allowed perfect
freedom on certain evenings to wash and
iron as much as they need, for these girls
do not earn wages which allow of laundry
bills. -Four dollars. s. and S. is the average
wage, Most Of them are stenographers OF
clerks. They are to pay this homo & 80
week for room and board. which means
that they will have few dollars left over
for clothes, insurance and one or two
pleasures in life. This 81 30, the sister con-
fesses, will pay for only their food. The
other expenses will be met by the friends
Of the mission house and church.
In the dormitories on the third floor Is
where the blue and white cretonne runs
riot. Each bed has slim iron posts at three
corners, supporting rods for these gay
little curtains which serve as partitions
enclosing each bed in a little private
square of it's Each girl has an iron
wardrobe at the head OF her bed, whlch
was designed and made 10 order for this
house. one side has eight shelves. which
will take the place Of bureau drawers; the
other side has rods, on which to hang
skirts and dresses, and a big shelf above
for hats. The only other furniture is a
small dressing table and chair
All the guests will be treated just alike
the Sisters insist. There will be no private
rooms, though there is plenty Of space in
the big building and plenty Of use for the
money which would come from expensive
private rooms. The Sister only smiled when
this was suggested
Everybody is happier if all are treated
alike" she said. ut is a much safer ar
rangement"
on another floor is a big, homely looking
parlor with a piano and two sewing ma
chimes by the window.
They all have 10 make their own
Clothes" II was explained: yes it Is bad
for their health 10 sew nights, but they