about twelve to fifteen
He was the most industrious and , in his small way , the most resourceful of men . He was insurance agent , toilet soap agent , piano tuner , giver of piano lessons , seller of pianos and of music on commission . He worked fourteen and sixteen hours a day . He made nominally about twelve to fifteen a week . Actually -- because of the poverty of his customers and his too sympathetic nature he made five to six a week -- the most any working person could hope for unless in one of the few favored trades . Barely enough to keep body and soul together . And why should capital that needs so much for fine houses and wines and servants and automobiles and culture and charity and the other luxuries -- why should capital pay more when so many were competing for the privilege of being allowed to work ?