Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-07
YOUNG WOMEN COPYISTS.
SOME SOUND ADVICE FOR ASPIR
ANTS IN THAT LINE.

heasohs why Many Lose lhelr fiaces
The Good Results of Little Thinkin.
While Working.
It may be interesting to the hundred
of young and middle aged women VIII
are uneasy, or who feel that they mus
make their way in the world, and VIII,
look upon the life OF a copyist as the mos
desirable ana attractive one-in fact, q
the ideal life-to hear from few copy
lists, both inexperienced and experienced
So many have recently come TO me fol
advice that have concluded that it ms '
be wise to publish in your paper state
ment, showing the copyist's life to bt
one not filed with continual sunshine
and prosperity. l do not like to dis
courage, but it seems to NE that women
should understand before entering this
profession--whe skill, knowledge, art
exactness, perseverance, and close appli
cation and faithfulness are required tC
make one successful copyist-what ca
liabilities are demanded at the present
time. A slipshod copyist does not stand
the least shadow OF a chance; should she
be fortunate enough to tail into posi-
ton she will soon be dismissed.
Before preparing ones self to be ste
nographer, typewriter or pen copyist one
should consider we'll her fitness for such
work. To play over the keys of type
writer at breakneck speed is not suffi
cient; one must think. A very rapid
copyist is not satisfactory if she sacrifice;
neatness and accuracy to speed. 1t both
can be com bined, success is sure to fol
low.
"Why, can easily write ninety words
minute" one bright eyed copyist sale
when dropped into her employers of
fee, where confusion reigned supreme.
LET me see your work, please" said
I. And out came lively looking sheet
of legal cap. looked, said nothing foi
a moment. then concluded it was my
duty to enlighten the self satisfied fe
male.
''Pretty fast work, to be sure" said L
"but don't you have any style in the ar.
rangement of your work.
"Well, no, guess not. take it as ii
comes. l must write fast, you know, and
l can't stop to plan
GLOW about spelling, my friend?' con
tinued l, eager to draw her out that
might have an opportunity to suggest
and help her.
"Well,' she replied, 81 am not much
at spelling, but if word is misspelled
they draw line through and write the
correction above"
But" said l, "did you ever consider
how page-say lawyers brief, which
is to be filed in court, and which is to be
read By some judge and preserved fol
future use and reference-would look
thus marred? | have had an opportunity
to examine the work of many copyists,'
l continued, particularly work which
has been prepared for the courts, and
which has been brought to me to recopy,
as it was SO poorly done, and l have
been amazed at the seeming lack OF
knowledge or carelessness, and l may say
pride, shown by the copyist.'
Just let me sit down at your machine
and show you page which will do. II
l write fast very good, but let me say
that to be accurate is the first point
shall Try to keep in mind. Arrangement
is also important, and ones pages should
at once strike the eye as artistic and
carefully prepared. Not word must
be misspelled. There, in goes fresh
sheet. Now, time me. My heading
first. Then we leave suitable space, say
ipo1, orl xr-nrl-
will not lift the carriage every minute to
see blunders; we will be pretty sure to
have the matter correctly in mind before
we start, then go ahead. This lawyer
doesn't paragraph written in a hurry,
undoubtedly. Well, we must think a
little and do this for him Lawyers, as
well as others, leave much for copyists
to do; so one must have sufficient kDowl.
edge to make the document a correct
one. When | say correct, | mean in the
matters referred to. We are not at lib
erty to change the original wording. Al
before stated. accuracy is imperative;
but we must paragraph and begin a new
sentence with a capital. When dash
is used in the original paper to represen,
period, we are justified in using
period. / have never had any fault
found when | have done this. Here il
an expression which is evidently intend.
ed to be emphasized, and this idea we
can convey best by spacing between let
tiers. Twill do this and see how the ides
strikes you. Finished! Yes, and we
have left just neat space at the bottom
Of our page. Out it comes. How much
time? Well, only three minutes longer
than you were; besides, we have done
some talking. How does the page look
to you. my friend:"
why. How could you do it 50 welr'
she asked, looking quite dazed.
"By thinking" replied. "Were you
instructed in typewriting copying before
entering the Officer" / asked.
"Oh, no! l picked it up"
been here longT'
mo. Just came. 4 busy place, you
zee. Gentlemen are out much Of the
time and am left to manage. get s.
a week, and, il satisfactory. am TO have |
here before me lett for better position |
Ahe od4Ct 10y "S-4s Eic sbe o4o epicAIo!d
work. Was trusted with everything, |
and was real lady She gets big paw
now. Hope | shall sometime; but as |
have good home l am only working |
for pin money and can afford to work |
cheap"
You viii certainly get good pay for |
good work; poor copyists, though cheap, |
are not going 10 take the places Of ear |
nest, capable ones any longer replied, !
and babe heT good morning.
LATEs--"Lcst your POSITION, my 1
friend innuirad a. we met M, ehs !