The Forrest City times., 1892-04-08
The Ninth Lesson.

Marks of punctuation are used only to . limited extent in actual reporting. The semi-colon is usually indicated by space of an inch or more; the period by a cross. When notes are taken at ver- batim speed, little opportunity is allowed for punctuating, the only practical method being to leave spaces to corre- spond with the speakers pauscs, and insert the proper marks afterwards when trans cribing. Numbers arc expressed in the usual manner, that is by the Arabic nu- morals, l, 2, 8, 4, etc. There is no press ing need for any different method of expressing numbers, since the present method is as shcrt as short-hand itself. This is shown by the fact that column of figures can be written as fast as the numbers are called on.
 The reporter, when pressed, writes larger than at other times. Some persons take this as evidence that q large hand is the most rapid. It proves just the con- trary. The really skilful stenographcr when writing at high speed, is not nur- ried, and writes about as small hand as usual. There can be no question but that the greatest speed will be attained ultimately, only by writing the characters near each other, cultivating a neat style, and writing as small Q hand as practic. able.
 A good fine-pointed, short -nibbed gold pen of medium size is the best for re- rortiDg purposes. It should be more or less elastic, depending on the writer's lightness of touch. Good writing fluid is preferable to ink.
 A small hook at the beginning and on the circle side of a stem, indicates that s. &~~ ho clI Ial saru,y S3iJ line 1. A hook on the opposite side indi- dates 7; see price, trump, line 2. The hooked stems are called double cossson- ants. A circle on the r side of straight letters implies '; see spry, sober, line 3. In order to bring the hook on the left side (to signify ), G Q, and h are re. versed; see orer, thrice, etc. Line 3. A circle may be written within hook. See ciril, distress, suffer. When the r-hook Is prefxed to m or n, the stem is shaded {; see glin,per, trainer, line ?. F and are called initial hooks; the and a hooks, which occur at the end of letters, are called final. r is attached to strdtght stems only, and is written on the circle side, as in pup, line 4. This hook is used for also as in dboUe. The n-hook is put on the opposite side of straight letters, and is also attached to curves. See lines and 5. A circle written on the n-hook side of straight letter at the end of words, implies n; for example, pines, chance, (but not density) line 6. All these hooks should be small and light.
 Exercise. Black blame claim close globe pledge total gray grow break pray dray loiter pry trail cry drill keeper phrase favor Friday through strike stray spree sample cough crave bluff grove strive grieve pain stain bean bone dine twine taken turn bench lone mine fine abstain expense distance.
 Sentences. 1. Every rose has It's prick les. ?. Every path has it's puddle. 8. Variety is the very spice of life. {. For the upright there are no laws. 5. All cruelty springs from weakness. 6. Wise judges are we of each other.
 KEY TO PLATED.
 [ Play able evil civil fleeces shelf devil Maiel. Price breezes trump catcher glimmer trainer exaggerate distress. Spry sober suffer over thrice pressure measure cigarette. Puff spine above brain stiff strain cuff clown. Flown thine assign ozone shine hen explain sus- tain. Pines chance density lonesome extensive behavior reference sister. Translate lines to l5.