Page:The Girl Who Earns Her Own Living (1909).djvu/172

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will meet a few men, mostly foreigners of vicious habits.

Understand that this is all under the surface. Outwardly the shop is as beautiful as enameled paint, gleaming mirrors and suave attendants can make it. The game is well played before customers.

As the days slip by, you will realize that hairdressers deliberately burn the hair so that customers will be compelled to buy false pieces, transformations, switches, puffs, etc. You will discover that so-called experts in facial treatment often introduce poisonous properties into their lotions, and thus the customer who falls into their clutches must either continue to have her face literally plastered with cosmetics or go to some high-priced baths, where, in retirement, her natural complexion may be restored. You will learn of horrible cases of blood-poisoning due to the use of unsterilized knives and scissors in the manicuring and chiropody department. But all the while the white enamel gleams, and the mirrors glitter, and snowy white towels will be plentiful.

Gradually you will realize that you are get ting a smattering of very bad methods and learning no branch of the trade thoroughly, When you reach this point, if you are a sensible, brave girl, you will turn your back on the shop and seek some other sort of work. If,