Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-12-19
SELF-CONTROL REQUIRED.
A BRIEF ESSAY ON THE FACIAL Ex-
PRESTON OF sTENoGRAPHERS.


An Indifference and stoicism to BE
Worn Mt all Times-The Telling of
"WhIte Lies'-Bad Grammar-Busi-
ness Secrets.
In all the advertisements and circulars
which the various shorthand schools aud
colleges are sending broadcast over the
country regarding the qualifications OF
students whom they have graduated,
find one point not alluded TO; and as
believe this omitted point something
necessary to the success Of every one
acting as private seCl etary, it seems TO
ME it should be taught or at least spoken
Of as a necessary requisite in the pro-
ficiency of shorthand writers.
In these days, when so much attention
is given to the Delsarte method of express
sion by those who are fitting themselves
professionally for the stage, and the look
without the accompanying words can De
made 10 express emotion OF any klud, L
would suggest a method-dlffering from
the Delsarte in the opposite extreme
which should be used in connection with
every system of shorthand, that pupils
may learn not to accompany their dicta-
tors words with varying expressions OF
countenance, but so train themselves that
they can assume a stOical expression
which they shall wear at all times and
out of which they will not be surprised
under the most trying circumstances.
In my experience as private amanuensis
I'm n large wholesale house have learned
this for myself. and now would help
others inst entering the field who have no
idea how much depends upon the Cultiva-
ton Of facial expression; or rather the
cultivation OF non-eXpression III the face.
Have you keen sense of hum"r, and
are you unfortunate enough To see the
ridiculous side Of everything, then warn
you to 80 ITIiu yourself that, while laugh
ing inwartlly rs much as you please, not
even the fringe of your eycllds shall
culver or the corners OF your mouth twist
when your dictator expresses himself in
so peculiar manuer as 10 excite your
riSibleS
IL brought up in a conscientious family,
with no knowledge of business entangle-
ments which necessitate the telling OF
''white lies" then again it will he well
for you to be versed in facial expression
to the intent that when you are receiving
words from your dictatOr's lips exactly
contrary to opinions expressed by him in
previous letters to other parties, your eyes
Shall not open wide with questioning
look but will maintain adOwncast, "nOne
Of my business" position, which at all
times suit your employer, for where is
Nrh
science sitting at his elbow ready TO say
in looks, because it dare not in words,
"You are not telling the truth, sir.
If you pride yourself upon your correct
grammar, and vince invOluntarily at the
indiscriminate mixing of pronOuns and
lenses when in the presence of people not
related to Richard Grant White, then will
it be necessary for you to be well trained
that not 4 shadow of horror will pass over
your cOuntenance when your dictator
begins a letter in his most consequential
manner, ave done the best we could, but
it is our intentions to do better, etc,
etc, or so mixes his own individual "I''
with the firm 1--WE" that you are in doubt
as to the proper signature Of the same.
II You feel each hair rising, each muscle
of your face wincing and all the wrinkles
of your forehead holding an indignation
meeting at common center, | warn you
to suppress them all. Say to each CULVER
ing muscle: Cease thy sympathetic con
WILSON'S, " and to the gathering wrinkles:
Depart i'll peace, this is none of your
affair that you should thus show yourself
in battle array"
INDIFFERENCE AND STOICISNIS.
Are yOu subjected to the writing of
personal letters, giving information, per-
haps, on subjects which arouse Your
curiosity, let not one CLEAN Of eXultatiOn
shoot from your eyes that you now possess
the wished for knowledge; or if You are
called upon to take letters of coincidence
to sorrowing friends let not the look of
abject pity show itself on your face, not
even if the tears roll down your dictator s
eyes and your heart is filled with sym
pathy. You are not hired as n mOurner
TO enter into the spirit Of the occasion;
therefore say to you maintain q look Of
the utmost indifference and stoiCism.
If interrupted in the course of your die
tation by friend Of your employer, who
calls for the purpose of discussing politics
and lively conversation enSues-during
which you sit with pencil in your hand
waiting to resume your legitimate bust
ness-let not their words extend further
than your ears, and let not your face ex-
press that you stand with either side i'll
their opinion Of presidential candidates,
but let them judge from the vacant look
in your face that you did not know a fail
election was TO take place.
In conclusion strive not to be your die
tator's conscience, his grammar or his
clown, but simply his phOnOgaph-his
human machine--which shall receive into
its cars anything and everything on all
subjects, and shall through all maintain
a countenanCe us placid rs n summer sea,
as vacant as the face Ut m owl and as UNI
changeable as the sphlnX.-PhOnographio
Monthly.