Omaha daily bee., 1888-05-20

tnese helps to progress would certainly
be unwise. What would be thought OF
the common-sense OF a young man whose
pocketbook and time were limited, and
whose business life was to be spent in
Paris, who took up the study OF VolapuK
instead of French, because 1t was said to
be a little easier and it might be spoken
there some day2 Yet many would-be
stenographers are quite as foolish.
The same is true in relation TO type
writing machines, of which there are
over a dozen kinds now in the market.
Some OF the cheaper ones do good work,
though slow; but the price OF the three
most widely in use varies from $50 to
800. Each of these three has it's points
of superiority; one manifolds readily
and beautifully, and is greatly in re-
quest for legal work; another Is more
portable, does more varied and artistic
work, and is especially suited for libra
ries; and another is a particular favor
tie in eastern cities. Tho question of
speed. which should be u great factor in
determining the purchase, is u mooted
point between them. Before deciding
which to learn, make careful inquiries,
and find out which machine is most gen
orally employed in the kind of business
house you wish to enter, then make your
choice and stick toit. 1t isa bad plan to
change either our system of short
hand or your typewriter. Different
key-boards and different touches per-
pick the student. If you u afford to
buy u typewriter, by all means do so. A
woman owning n machine generally re-
ceives 81 more per week, so that the
most expensive machine will pay for its
costs in II year, and if at any time you
are thrown out of n place, copying can
usually be obtained. which, at the ordi-
nary market rate OF 5 cents per folio,
or hundred words, will bring in quite II
respectable income. Dc you think of
studying typewriting only. The COM
petition is too great and the wages too
low. A stenographer and typewriter
combined can command ~ salary from
two to four times as much depending on
speed and a%ccuracy.)
After you nave decided upon your
system, being guided by the advice of
some disinterested experienced friend,
the mex question is, where to study. If
you can afford to pay for the course,
months or more. you will find the bust
ness college of New York or any large
city excellent training schools, where
you gain knowledge of business forms
and habits as well. Unless time is no
object, neve attempt to study short
hand alone. You can form more
bad habits of writing in a month than
you can unlearn in ayear. Ifyoull live out
of town, you a receive instruction by
mail and have your exercises corrected
by a competent stenographer. Tho
cost of a full course of personal iustruc-
ton varies from $50 to $50; by mail about
half the amount is generally asked.
Some of the most excellent schools of
Shnyth n nd MO nnnIlntnI Inv woman
Several enterprising m in the
large cities have Offices with numerous
branches, where they teach classes, and
employ numbers of girls constantly in
copying legal and other work. If Il
young woman enters any of these pay
classes, after three months daily study
Il place is frequently found for her in
the Office at a moderate salary of about
81 per week: and at the end of a year
she has gained speed and valuable bust
ness experiedce. A Smith college girl,
entering one of these offices and re-
naming IL year. Their accepted a posi-
ton in one of the largest architects
Offices in the city at a salary of 80 per
week. In a fortnight her employers
we're so pleased with her that. after
making her a handsome Christmas
present, they raised her salary to $l5
per week. Her success came AS the re-
suit of patience and thorough prepara-
tory work.
But if your pocketbook is slender,
Cooper institute throws its doors open
free to ONE between sixteen and
thirty yea of age. The course lasts
from October to May, an entrance ex-
amination being required. In 1887,
GA pupils were admitted, So ~persevered
till the close of the term. and A of that
number received certificates. The
lessons are held daily, except on Satur-
If you have faithfully studied, are
able to write and read your notes ac-
curately at the rate of not less than so
words per minute, and operate the type
writer not less than 80. you are ready to
begin work. The crucial question is,
how to get II position. First, you should
register early at on of the agencies. If
ylu prefer to advertise, select your
medium with care, and remember hat
that cOnciseness and repetition pay bet
ter thar one long single advertisement.
Search the WANT columns of the great
dailies that make a speciality of such adj
~vertisements, particularly the Sunday
issues. Last, and hardest of all to an
independent spirit, don't be ashamed to
let your influential friends know your
needs Heaven helps those
who help themselves" but
in New York in the nineteenth cen
fury, where the razor edge of
competition in woman's work is sharper
than the serpent's tooth. heaven helps
those doubly who have friends and in
fuence.
In good Mrs. Glass recipe how to
cook a hare, her advice was "First, you
must catch it," Surprising you have
caught your hare, in the shape of n
pleasant position, your next question
will be how to cook and keep it. First,
do not take it until you are sure you can
fill it.. Some merchants cannot afford to
pay for q first-class s~tenographer and
are willing to take a beginner, but do
not sail under false colors. Second, re-
member that a business position de-
mands business. You are trying to fill
a position which a few years ago would
nave been offered to IA a Accuracy,
punctuality, industry, sobordination to
the powers that be, are necessary.
Never nave it said of you what n bust
ness man of New York was forced to say
OF IA young stenograpner in his employ:
''She is doing fairly well; except that
she has a chronic difficulty of getting
here at 8 in the morning, and likes to
nave her W way oyermuch; people