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were up in years and uncommunicative. One of them had an ugly sore on her hand which she tried to keep covered. I would not "finish "for her, and so incurred her dislike. I said nothing, but always took work from someone else in preference.
Another place, where I worked but half a day, was more
interesting to me because a number of young girls were there and they kept the place lively all the time. I asked one of them if she supposed we could get work in a factory, and she said : " Law, yes, if yer wants to join the union !" As for herself, she claimed that anything was better than "livin" by rule." The others declared that she was not skilled enough to belong to a union, and they grew quite merry in the dis- pute, so I could not determine just what her real objection to the factory was. These were the first happy sweaters I found. The six girls chewed gum, and laughed while they sewed. They ran the machines in a care-free way that almost made my hair stand on end. I got fifteen cents for my half-day's work. I was not needed longer, so I had to seek other scenes of labor.
I did not want long engagements in the sweat-shops. They were not necessary for my purpose. I simply wished to verify my knowledge regarding actual conditions of work. I had visited over a hundred of these places, and I already knew the aspect they present to the observer; but a few minutes' visit can never teach one the hardships of the workers. We may gasp when we are told of women who toil twelve or fourteen hours for a mere pittance, but, after all, it is without meaning until one has experienced the weary eyes and dizzy head and aching back
A YOUNG TOILER.
