Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1914-10-30

the current events of the day. They
are far removed socially from people
of wealth and luxury. They can un'
fold, however, an intimate knowledge
of them that Is marvellous. Before
hand, they are able to whisper when
love match is about to blossom into
an engagement. They see the begin
ming and growth of affairs that end
in scandals.
Watching these women and their
ideal lives, as it seems, is the one
Joy Of these girls. The manner in
which they touch elbows with these
rich women Is somewhat unique. Dur
ing the day, these young women work
at their allotted tasks, as though life
contained nothing else for them.
When the closing hour comes they
hurry eagerly from their labors to
their lonely hall bedrooms, blithe as
the birds that twitter outside their
windows. Usually two young women
share their room together. They are
in cramped quarters; must take turns
in cooking their frugal suppers over
the oil stove. II there are pleasures
ahead they don't mind the hardships.
Girls are clever with their fingers,
and help one another to fashion simply
out of odds and ends their evening
gowns that would vie with a million
aires wife's sumptuous robe, and not
look out Of place by comparison.
throwing scarfs round their shoulders,
the girls scurry eagerly forth. To the
cheap picture shows for an evenings
amusement? Oh, no., A dark skirt
and plain shlrtwaist would answer
for going there; their attire would
not be closely observed. On past the
moving picture places they go; their
destination being one Of the grand
hotels. The drawing room and lob
bies are free to all guests who look
to the manner born. They loiter in the
beautiful lobby for while; sitting on
the rich divans they are so near the
favorite of fortune they could reach
forth their hands and touch their
robes. They drink in their floating
bits Of conversations; feast their eyes
on their dazzling gems, inhale the
exotic perfume from the rare flowers
they wear Like the tabled Cinder-
ella of legend, these girls seemingly
are transported into different world.
The dreary hall bedroom fades away
from their memories. In its place
are marble halls, strains of sweetest
orchestra music.
The rich and the great ebb to and
fro past them. They secure seats
in the magnificent dining room. To
be sure it is an obscure corner; still
they are part of that rich throng.
The girls order rolls and milk. Eve
ming is spent amidst surroundings Of
bright lights, flowers, gayety, happy
laughter, and all that makes life one
grand sweet song. When it is over
they slip out, unobserved, retracing
their steps homeward, eagerly chat
ting over all they have seen and
heard They make the rounds Of the
great hotels and restaurants. Man.
ayers know them; they are unobstru-
sive. quiet girls. Usually they are
sorry. to refuse them a table, but tell
them their tables are all engaged for
the entire evening. Their expenses
are high. They reserve tables for
those who spend money generously.
1t does not take long to make the
rounds; while 1t lasts these pretty,
innocent girls have their fling in lead
ing double life, as it were. They
are surrounded by hardships in day
time and luxury by night.