8 Oct 1838 - New York Daily Herald (New York City)
Case File: Mary Cecilia Rogers
Vol. IV, No. 126, Page 2, Column 1
The recent affair of the young girl in Anderson’s cigar store, must lead every reflecting person and every good member of the community to desire that something should be done instantly to remedy the great evil consequent upon very beautiful young girls being placed in cigar and confectionary stores, like a brilliant luminary, to catch the butterflies of fashion that love to flutter round so attractive a centre; there being this difference, however, that in the case of the poor girls, they, and not the insects, are generally destroyed.
In these remarks we disclaim any thing personal; we cannot call to our recollection any one instance to which our remarks will apply; but we do sincerely believe, and believing, we unhesitatingly say, that in many instances lovely young girls are sought for by interested store keepers, to be placed behind a counter solely to catch customers. Designing rich rascals drop into these places, buy cigars and sugar plums, gossip with the girl, and ultimately effect her ruin. This needs reformation, and should be done away with. Young girls should attend only in those stores where the customers are ladies. This subject requires the serious attention of the philanthropist.