January 1905


Pauline

Dear diary,

Finally, Saturday is here, and with it, we only have half a day of work at the mill. Mamma says she is going to cook us a proper dinner. After almost a full week of bread and cold meat, it will be a nice change to have something fresh and warm. My dress shall be washed tomorrow; I will make sure of that. The material has worn down; the pattern has been long gone. With every passing day, my foot fells better as it has begun to heal I assume. It was payday today and Daddy teased us, a joking smile spread across his face as he said “What are you all expecting?” (pg.163)

For my week’s worth of labour, I have 27 cents to show for it. Daddy had to take a good portion of my pay in order to pay the rent. Arlene even got 15 cents for the days she worked as well. We went visit Mrs. Harrell and her new Baby, Aaron. I have never seen any of her sons before and I have to say, they are very adorable. I am happy for them, as they will soon be on their on during the days until they are both old enough to work at the mill. It was a fairly short visit, Arlene and I wanted to get to the store before it closed. I wanted to get the jackstones, but I didn’t have enough. Arlene put down her pay as well. The gesture surprised me. I am getting to know my sister better, I can say we are friends now (but we still have our fights. We are still siblings.) I always used to be jealous of her, getting to stay at home, but I can see now that by working hard enough, we can buy things we wouldn’t usually before.

Maybe one day kids like Margaret and Katie, Arlene and I, won’t have to labour at the mill, or maybe we will get higher pay. But for now, I will do my job of working at the Factory.


Arlene

Dear diary,

Today we will work half a day and get a real dinner other that cold meat and bread. I have worked at the Mill for a few days and I have to say that it was not what I was expecting. You can barely hear each other when you talk and my back is sore from leaning over all day collecting the gray lint that collects on the floor. It clings to my dress and socks turning them grey as well. After dinner Daddy gave everyone their pay. I find it difficult to figure out why Josh gets $1 and Pauline only gets 27 cents. She works just as hard as Josh. I hanged around the table while they got their money to see if I would get anything as well since I worked this week as well. Daddy handed me 15 cents for all the hours I laboured this week. I can get candy!

I was torn between the peppermints or the butterscotch candies when Pauline asked me to put money on the books. She wanted buy Jackstones which where 40 cents.”Jacks are ‘foolishness” I told her (Pg.172) I noticed that she had this disappointed look on her face when she realised that she didn’t have enough. I thought for a moment on whether I was to have candy or maybe I could add my 15 cents to her 27 cents and together we could get the jacks together. Candy never lasts long, but jacks will last for a while. We will both get them. Pauline smiled as I put down my pay beside hers. I am getting to know my sister better; she did not always have the easy life I now realize.

Maybe I can stay working at the mill, helping my family and earning my own money. Maybe one day we won’t have to work so many long hours labouring at the mill. But for now, I will take my job of working at the factory.