The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-10-26
A FAIR AMANUENSES.

''Well, Benton, have l seen the last
of themp Really | begin to believe my
advertisement reached the eyes of ev-
cry man in London cut of employment,
and not vet AIN l fully satisfied with IL
single applicant"
Thus addressed myself, half to my
self, half to my worthy butler, one morn.
ing III early May, when for two hours
had been interviewing horde of men,
all anxious TO obtain the situatiOn of my
private-secretary.
| had had in all some two hundred let
ters, perhaps, but FROM these l had Sc
lccted twenty, nineteen of whom / had
already seen. One, the one the word
ing of whose answer, perhaps, had
pleased me most had not yet put in an
appearance, -
There is one young person below,
SIR responded Benson; ''but it's not
man, sir. It's young lady"
"a young lady? What can woman
want with me? However, will see her.
Show her up, Benson"
A few minutes later, rustling of
skirts informed me that my latest Visi-
tor had arrived upon the scene.
looked up to find & young lazy of
twenty, perhaps, simply, almost shabbi-
ly dressed. but possessing q pair of very
pretty eyes, which were taking me in
with an intentness which, had been
bashful man, would certainly have in
spired blush.
''I received note from you this
morning, Mr.. Courtney she said, in a
voice which was at once sweet and re-
fined
"A note from me?' I stammered, in
amaze.
Without further argument she rose,
and laying on the table beside ME note,
addressed in my own chirography to
''Sidney Grant, ESQ.," resumed her
seat. ...
The Esq was notquite correct, you
see," she continued; ''but am Sidney
Grant"
I'll advertised for a male secre-
tary," explained, half amazed, half
amused Il am bachelor, and living
in bachelor quarters.
81 inferred it was q man you wished
to fill the place, but inasmuch as the
duties occupied only certain hours dur
ing the day, l thought it might be
equally we'll filled by woman. l am
very desirous of such a position. am
good and rapid penman, and. if my
sex is not an insurmountable obstacle,
think that l might give you satisfac-
ton"
The idea she presented to me was en-
tirelv new Yet 7 really knew no rea-
son why woman should not do as well
as a man. Ii she had no objections to
accepting the post, | did not know why
| ell an tA n
This, of course, was all mental, but
when Sidney Grant, some fifteen min
utes later, bade me- good-morning. it
was understood that from the following
Monday, the hours between ten and
four belonged to- me, on consideration
of certain valuation.
Monday morning | wakened with a
singular sensation that something unu-
sual was about to happen. A few"m
ments' consideration resolved the some
thing into the fact that my new secre-
tary was that day to enter upon her
duties.
When l entered the apartment | had
ordered prepared for her, found her
already at her post. Her hat and cloak
were laid aside, and as she looked up
with grave smile to bid me good
morning, started at the sudden dis
covery that an extremely pretty woman
stood awaiting my orders.
This discovery gave me anything but
pleasure. Instantly l became colder
| and more reserved.
As clearly and concisely as possible
tried to make her understand her duties.
For Il time / would lay the letters be-
fore her with rough draught of my
replies. but later, when she grew accus-
| toned to my mode of expression,
would merely indicate the tone of the
response, whether negative. affirmative,
or the conditions to influence either.
She grasped my ideas very quickly,
| and at three O'clock sent me her re-
plies. With one or two exceptions they
were wholly satisfactory.
Two weeks passed along, everything
working smoothly, when my correspon-
dence became more involved. Some
building was being done under my di-
rection, and l was obliged to inspect
plans and go into minute details, SC
that part of the time Miss Grant could
only perform the manual labor at my
dictation.
It was wonderful how much less irk.
some found the task than l had an
ticipated. The fears had had in the
beginning, that my secretary would at
tempt to fascinate me, died. Her re-
serve and dignity equalled my own.
My secretary had been with me SIX
weeks, and further than that she wa:
assiduous in her duties and infinitely
charming, knew nothing.
have forborne to state that just al
this period, was placed in most del
icate and trying position. BY the terms
of my uncles will, was to marry ny
cousin, Alice Thornleigh, or forfeit t.
her One-half the estate.