The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's WorkPenny, Virginia
General
The Employments of Women: A Cyclopædia of Woman's Work
Penny, Virginia
Women -- Employment
one dry-goods store where four lady clerks were employed at salaries
from $200 to $350 per annum. In one shoe store a lady received a salary
of $250; and one, in another shoe, store, $200. In a millinery and fancy
dry-goods store, kept by ladies, fifteen girls were employed at from $4
to $6 per week. In another, kept by a gentleman, ten girls were employed
at from $4 to $6 per week." In the same city, gentlemen clerks usually
receive from $250 to $600 per annum. At a store on Grand street, New
York, where a number of saleswomen are employed, the owner told me he
takes girls in the spring and fall. He tries them for one month, and
such as he finds he can make anything of he retains. He then pays them
something, and increases their wages in proportion to their advancement.
Some never rise above $3; but those who are ambitious and desirous to
excel and make proportionate effort, he will pay higher. He has paid as
high as $12 a week. A merchant keeping a large trimming store on Canal
street, pays his women from $1.50 to $8 per week, and they are in the
store from seven in the morning till dark. To wait in a store requires
experience; and a lady, in getting a situation, should endeavor to do so
through the influence of a merchant. It is very desirable to have a good
location for a store. Mr. M. pays his saleswomen from $2 to $6,
according to their qualifications. At a confectionery the woman told me
she gives $6 a month and board and washing; but as she does not keep
open on Sunday, the girl would have to go home Saturday night and stay
till Monday. She would be kept busy all the time, from seven in the
morning till eleven at night, waiting on customers, cleaning tables,
washing plates, sweeping floors, &c. On most of the avenues in New York,
merchants do not sell as much, nor receive such a profit, as on
Broadway, and employ women because they can get them cheaper. In a small
variety store, a lady told me she had paid $4 a week and board to one
who had never stood in a store; but the lady was a friend. She remarked:
"If a person has the inclination, a memory, and common sense, she can
soon learn. Few are willing to take learners. American ladies are not
ambitious enough to keep store. For one month in summer and one in
winter there is little doing." A lady confectioner says: "It requires a
very honest person to be in a confectionery, because small sums are
being constantly received and no note taken of them. Girls are paid
according to their capabilities from $2 to $5, and are in the store from
7 A. M. to 9, 10, 11, and even 12 P. M., in busy seasons, which are
about the holidays. It requires some weeks to know the prices, where to
place the articles, and how to make them appear to advantage." A
merchant, who employs saleswomen, told me he thought women have a better
sense of propriety and are more particular than men, but they lack
judgment and promptness. He thinks women do very well as far as they go,
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