Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 176, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1910 — Triads of Girl at the Music Counter [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Triads of Girl at the Music Counter

ST. LOUIS. —“Young woman," said a motherly individual, holding two small children In her weary arms, “will you play ’When the Roses Bloom Again’ for me, please?” The music counter young woman, perched on her stool, selected the piece mentioned among a heap of others and prepared to “reel” It oft. The Bhabby woman listened attentively until the last notes died out €he ogled the children In the meantime. f’Thank you very much,” she said, and strolled slowly off. “There,” grumbled the girl behind the music counter, “that is only one of the things that we’ve got to put up with. There are a hundred others, and as soon as I can get in the ribbons’ I’m going to get out of the music, once and for all. The work Is worth twice as

much as any other job in the store. People think that you are there 5 to entertain the public instead of to sell goods. I feel safe in saying that fully 65 per cent, of the people who ask for a concert do not buy a single ten-cent song.” Whereat the music counter girl whirled on her stool, dashed off a few chords on the piano and looked around just in time to catch the eye of an old gentleman who was studying a list attentively. Hesitatingly, he asked: “I want to get a list of songs—here they are,” he began. Then there ensued a long search for them. The songs were old ones and they weren’t on hand, so the old gentleman asked if the lady would play over a dozen or so in order that he might “match ’em” as near as possible. Large store managers realize that the people at the average music counter are busy, hard-worked indlvlduala There are so many things to contend with aside from the knowledge required of music lists, and the ability to play the piano. < That Is why the salesman and saleswoman In this department average higher wages than air most any others in the whole store.