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December 12th, 1882
Violet Hodges
Age: 9
Job: Seamstress
Dear Journal, I am 9 years old now. My
birthday was yesterday. I live with my mama,
my papa, and my three siblings: Heather (13
yrs), Peter(2 yrs), and Rosemary(6 mths).
Today was going to be another tiring day as
usual. I woke up at 4 am to go to work at
the factory. My sister Heather and I walked
there. We were running late. I didn't get to
eat breakfast. I haven't in a very long
time. Once I got to work I started to work
on the dress that i had started yesterday.
Someone was staring at me. It was the man in
the uniform. He kept yelling at me because i
was looking out the window. My sister
whispered for me to quit it because we
really need the money. Outside the window i
saw some boys and girls, just like me,
playing in the street. I felt emotions that
i have never experienced before. I was angry
and jealous of those kids. That man beat me
with a stick for not working. My punishment
was unfair. I didn't get my usual half hour
lunch break. He made me work straight
through it! My stomach growled. My hands and
back ached. I wish i could go out in play
like those other kids. But i bet they would
stare at me. I have a hunched back and my
arms aren't in proportion to my tiny body. I
worked long and hard until Heather told me
it was time to leave. We had been dismissed.
Our shift was done. It's 6pm. My days are so
terribly long. I used to only work 10 hours
a day. Since Thomas Edison invented the
light bulb, I work 14 hours a day with only
two short breaks: one for lunch and one for
supper. Some days i have no breaks. Today I
never got a break. My wage is only 20 cents
a day, but most boys younger than me get 25
to 30 cents. I don't understand why. Mommy
and Daddy say I have to work or we will be
living on the streets. Life is so unfair.
Love,
Violet
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