Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-05-07
YOUNG WOMEN CoPYIsTs.
Some Sound Advice for Asplrants
I'm that Line.

Some Sound Advice for Asplrants
In that Line.
1t may be interesting to the hundred.
OF young and mIddle-aged women who
are uneasy, OF who feel that they musi
make their way in the world, and who
look upon the life of copyist az the
most desirable and attractive one-in
fact. as the ideal life-to hear from a
few copyists, both inexperienced and
experienced.
So many have recently come to Inc
for advice that L have concluded thai
1t may be wise to publish statement,
showing the copyist's life to be one mol
filled with continual sunshine and pr, s.
Ierity, L do not like to discourage
but II seems to me that women should
understa d before entering this profess
S'on-where skill, knowledge, art, ex
actness, perseverance and close applica-
ton and faith ulnesS are required to
make one succe sful copyist-what
capabilities are demanded at the present
lime. A slipshod cCpyist does not stand
the least shallow of Il chance; should she
be fortunate enough to fall into a posi-
ton she will soon be dismissed.
Before preparing ones self to b. a
stenogrdpher, typewriter or pen copyist
one should consider well her fitness fol
such work. To play over the keys of a
typewriter at breakneck speed is not
sufficient; one must think. \ very
rapid copyiSt is not satisfactory if she
Sacr fees neatnesS aud accuracy to
speed. If both can be combined, sue
cess is sure to follow.
why, / can easily write NINETY
words a minute" one DrIght-eyed copy
ist said when l dropped into her EN-
ployer's office, where confusion reigned
supreme.
LET me see your work, please, said
L. And out came lively looking sheet
of legal cap. / looked, said nothing
for a moment. then concluded it was
my duty 10 enlighten the sell. satisfied
female.
Pretty fast work, TO De sure" said
/; "but don't you have any style in the
arrangement of your work?
We'll, no, guess I. take it as
II comes. / must write fast. you know,
and can't stop to plan"
"llow aboug spelling, my friend?''
continued |, eager TO draw her out that
| might have an opportunity to suggest
and help her.
''Well, she replied, II am not much
at spelling, but if a word is misspelled
they draw line through and write the
correction above"
But" SAID /, I'd d you ever con-
sicer how a page-Say a lawyers brief,
which is to be filed in court, and which
is to he read by some judge and pre-
served for future use and reference
would look thus marredI L have had
an opportuni to examine the work
of many copyists," 1 continued. par
ticularly 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 maZed
at the seeming lack of knowledge OF
care!essness, and L may say pride,
shown by the cOpyist."
Just let me sit down at your ma
chine and show yCu page which | Will
10. If | write fast We y good, but let
me say that to be accurate Is the first
point l shall try to keep in mind. AR
rangement is also important, and ones
pages should at once strike the eye as
artistic and carefully prepared. Not 1t
word must be mis- prlled. There, in
goes a fresh sheet. Now, time me.
My heading first. Then we leave suit
able space, say an inch, and continue
our work. We Will not lift the carriage
every minute 10 see blunderS; we Will
be pretty sure 10 have the matter cor
rectly in mind before we start, then <,
aheal. This lawyer doesn't paragraph
written in hurry. undoubtedly }
Well. we must think little and do
this for him. Lawyers, as well A.
others, leave much for copyists to do &;
so one must have sufficient knowledge
10 make the document a correct one.
When | say correct, | mean in the mat
ters referred to. We are not at liberty
Ia change the original wording. As
before stated, accuracy is imperative;
but we must paragraph and begin Il
usw sentence with capital. When a
dash is used III the original paper 10
represent a periol, we are just fed Ill
II ing a period l have never had any
fault found when | have done this.
Here is an expression which is evil
denily intended 10 be emphasized. and
this idea we can convey best by spacing
between letters. L will do this and see
how the idea strikes you. Finished!
Yes, and we have just left a neat
spare at the bottom of ur page. Out
1t comes. How much timep Well, only
three minutes longer than you We're;
besides, we have done some talking
How does the page look TO you, my
friend?"
why! How could you do it so
well?" she asked, looking quite dazed.
by thinking" | replied. "Were
you instructed in typewrlting copyiug g
Def re entering the otlice2'' asked.
''Oh, mol ] picked it up
Been hare lOrg?"
mo, just came, \ busy place, you
5 e. Gentleman are out much of the
time and am left to manage. 1 get s.
a week and, If satisfactory, am 10 have
more another month. Copyist who
VAS here before me left for better
p ,sition. The Office boy tells me she
DID splendid WORK. Was trusted with
everything, and was a real lady. Size
gets big pay now. Hope L shall some
time; but as l have a good home am
ouly 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 TO take the places of ear
nest, capable ones any LONGER" 1 re-
Piled, and bade her good morning.
LATER.-''Lost your position, my
fiiend?" L inquired as we met on the
steps of one of or public build ings;
tell me about it,
''Those men," she realicd, Shave no
patience; expect me to know it all.
Last copyist spoiled the place for me-
They say she Is coming back to them.
and, what do you think? They are tc
pay her SIS per weekll''