The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-10-27
A FAIR AMANUENSES.

''Well, Benton, have seen the last
of themp Really begin to believe my
advertisement reached the eyes of ev-
cry man in London out of employment,
and not yet am fully satisfied with a
single applicant.
Thus addressed myself, half to my
self, half to my worthy butler, one morn
ing in early May, when for two hours
had been interviewing horde of men,
all anxious to obtain the situation of my
private-secretary.
l had had in all some two hundred let
tiers, perhaps, but from these had Sc
lected twenty, nineteen of whom l 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; shut it's not
a man, sir. It's young lady"
"a young ladyP 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 lady Of
twenty, perhaps, simply, almost shabbi-
ly dressed. but possessing pair of very
pretty eyes, which were taking me in
with an intentness which, had / been q
bashful man, would certainly have in
spired blush.
II received note from you this
morning, Mr.. Courtney" she said, in o
voice which was at once sweet and re-
fined.
"a note from mep'' stammered, in
amaze.
Without further argument she rose,
and laying on the table beside me anote,
addressed in my own chirography to
''Sidney Grant, Esq.," resumed her
seat.
''The Esq was not quite correct, you
see," she continued; ''but ! am Sidney
Grant" E
I'll advertised for a male secre-
tary," explained, half amazed, half
amused. II am a bachelor, and living
in bachelor quarters"
II inferred it was a man you wished
to fill the place, but inasmuch as the
duties occupied only certain hours dur
ing the day, i thought it might be
equally well filed by woman. am
very DESTROYS of such a position. / am
q 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-
tirely new. Yet really knew no rea.
son why woman should not do as well
as man. If she had no objections to
accepting the post, I did not know why
should have any to granting it.
This, OF course, was all mental, but
when Sidney Grant, some fifteen min
utes later, babe 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 mo-
ments' consideration resolved the some
thing into the fact that my new secre-
tary was that day to enter upon her
duties. -.ls...-
When 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 a 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 became colder
and more reserved
As clearly and concisely as possible
tried to make her understand her duties.
For time I 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, I |
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.