Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 4.djvu/754

 734 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

For charity dinner' - - - - - - - .13

Paper, 3 nights --- .06

Postal cards ..--.05

Candy' .10

Stamps - - - - - - - - - .10

Oranges ' .09

Present for table girl --- .05

" matron -- .10

Laundry - - - - - - - - - .16

Total expense -....- S4-79 What I earned for the week was as follows :

Wages S2.00

Commission 3.25

$5.25 Less fines' 30

Total earnings -- S4-95

Thus I had a balance of sixteen cents after my bills were paid, and that was as much as many had. At that rate it would take a long time to earn enough to buy a pair of boots.

The next week I started out again to look for a place, and I found one where I most wished to work. When I first sought employment I was an unskilled laborer, but the next time I was an experienced saleswoman, and as such I was engaged at a sal- ary of four dollars a week plus i per cent, commission on sales. This time my work was selling dolls, and there were four of us at the one counter. I realized at once that this was a much bet- ter place than the first one. The managers and floorwalkers were gentlemanly and kind, and the work was carried on in a thoroughly business-like way. I breathed freely when I found that no one would swear at me. There it was no crime to sit down, and behind each counter could be found one or two little boxes which the girls used for seats. They were awkward things,

' The matron asked for contributions from two cents up. Every girl in the home responded.

' These articles were for a " treat."

'A fine of ten cents was imposed for each tardiness, unless over half an hour; then twenty-five cents was charged.