St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-23

some girls who had learned the trade
excuse me, girls, profession" L believe
you call it.
ITO me it would be an advantage in
being able to take the talk OF half a
dozen girls on the edge of an apron or
cuff in shorthand. often forgot peril
nent points overheard in the factory,
because | didn't dare to take out my
notebook to lot them down." Then L
meditated while Sauntering idly about
town.
SHORT HAND MADE EASY.
While awaiting an opportunity of get
ting acquainted with a StenOgrapher, l
saw an advertisement of one III the
paper.
II think" it would be good plan to
answer that. Then could form an idea
of how many in this business are look
ing for a position" L said throwing
down the paper and making hasty
search for hat and gloves.
..Why Eva, YOU don't expect to get
office work, if you apply in such a
shabby old dress and shoes. The pro-
proprietor will think you are really poor
and need the work. said a girl friend Of
mine who had Been spending the after
noon with me.
| took an inventory of my costumes.
NV dress had never been pretty. A
cheap dressma6er had affixed her seal
in the form of a bad fit. 1t had often
been torn and hastily darned. The
spots of grease, glue and paste were
gained from too close contact with fac
tory work of all sorts. 81 don't see any
thing wrong about that dress, !"
] remarked. In looking for
factory or shop work. this
dress would be proper form; it would
show that | had worked before and had
no false notions of pride. or at least no
means of gratifying such whims. L
want the employer to know that Pm
poor. Because poverty and honesty are
supposed to be twin sisters. Then too,
he'll be sure of getting me to work for
low wages if | need the work"
"YOu mustn't talk such rubbish now"
said my friend, seriously. You know
Office work is entirely different from
that of a factory. Now just put on your
best dress and manners. Then the girls
will be more apt to talk with you. OF
course you don't expect to get the
place"
Il wasn't likely that I would get a
place without experience or recon-
mendation. But l dOnned my only good
dress and was soon ready.
''What are you going to do about the
shoes?' queried my friend.
"Wear Them" l promptly replied 3;
''they're the only pair have and l can't
go without any,"
Nv friend Shook her head SORROW
fully. She had tried for such positions
and knew what was requisite better
than l.
There were fifteen girls waiting for
the office to open. The firSt-comerS Sc
cured places near the door and the 9TH
ers were ranged along in the order OF
their coming. All of them stared at me
so that | felt like an intruder and would
have liked to retreat. But it's against
my principles to give up project with
out trying for success.
Nearly all the applicants were young
girls under twenty years of age: They
were all neatly dressed, but in some
faces | detected that careworn look,
which beSpeaks some experience with
the trials of looking for work and find
ing none. | listened to their cenYerSa-
ton, but heard nothing of interest, eX-
cept that they had received training al
a business college. Finally the Office
door opened and a girl in the foremost
rank obtained the place. So the disap-
pointed group scattered in all direc
lions.
l concluded to interview the business
college teachers. They were all pleas
shorthand and typewriting.
''What are the terms for admissions
I first asked.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
The professor explained that gradu
ate of High school or seminary was
considered qualified to begin stenOg
raphy without other studies. Other:
who were not so advanced could take {
preliminary course in common schoo
branches.
"Can anybody learn the business?'
was my next question.
"Oh, certainly, certainly any person
of average ability can become a success
full stenographer by taking a full
course" was the teachers pleasant as
surance.
GLOW long does it require to learn?'
From three to six months, according
to the pupils aptitude"
Sat the end of that time a pupi
would be qualified to hold a position il
a business office or take sermon at th'
rate of 80 words minute, Wouldn'
she?" | asked.
was assured that my view of thu
situation was correct, and advised t.
lose no time in becoming pupil. Tit
cost of stenOgraphy alone would b.
about $50 for tuition. But lessons
would be received in the evening or da!
time, as preferred.
was anxious to know what chance
there were for getting a situation afte
expanding the requisite amount of tim,
and money.
The professor made long speech il
order to show that situations depended
on the law of supply and demand
THAT business houses are increasing il
number, hence there is a large and in
sreasing demand for stenOgraphers