The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-10
8 YRUPS S.

beginners who are willing TO do II fol
/ little or nothing for the sake Of practice
Lest the uniniuated woman should think
IL possible 10 open an office on her OWL
| account, let me say that no successful
! office Is dependent upon chance custom
! The Offices all seek and obtain contracts
/ some with lawyers some with authors
| or publishing houses, 10y which they have
certainty Of income, however small.
Some copying offices pay large salaries.
| but IL is 20 experts who are generally
/ stenographers those who can transcribe
| reporters notes; who understand the
technical terms and Authorizations In law
| or medicine. who can do tabulated work,
such as invoices, price-lists, or monthly
statements, neatly and without an erasure.
In legal copying this last qualification
Is essential, for an erasure would make
| the paper invalid
Stenography may be learned without a
teacher and may be mastered Thoroughly
by correspondence ] have known two
young boys who taught themselves I'm this
manner; but they were of the stun that
develops our self-mdde men. possessing
the bull dog grip that would ensure
success in anything
The percentage Of those who begin eto-
biography and give it up when that trv-
Ing time comes that threatens TO drive
one crazy" Is a sad record. when ono
takes into account the money and time
wasted by those who could IN afford 10
lose it. ~
The testimony Of one who has not only
learned stenography, but has taught IL
ana oeen connected with a bureau for
supplying such service, is that enough
cannot be learned for it 10 be Of practi-
cal value In less than "A year. and in
that time only By faithful study
A speed Of less than 100 words nor
minute I'm business would be valueless
for there are few men who do not tan
faster than that; from rs 10 $50 words
per minute Is the average rate OF utter
ance.
Expert stenographers command good
salaries but so DO experts In any profes-
sion.
Salaries OF the average operator have
decreased rapidly within the last eigh
teen months. Those who have been re-
eeiying s25 and $50 week are now glad
70 take SIS and SIS; and the advertise
no IN me daily papers show that
there are men who expect 10 secure the
services OF a stenographer and type
writer for less than would be paid 10 the
Ordinary saleswon8n.
What constitutes an expert2
The expert stenographer and typewriter
IS one who can nh the position OF pri-
yate secretary 10 the members Of a firm.
She must be intelligent. educated, have
pleasant manners, tact and a stu
tongue.
She must not stand upon her dignity,
but be ready 10 render any service that
may happen 20 be required. one young
lady who entered business house as
stenographer proved herself or 50
much value In handling customers whom /
she volunteered 10 see In the absence Oh /
those who should have attended 10 that /
duty, that I'm few months time she |
was offered a position as saleswoman with |
large salary and commission, more |
than was given 20 the male clerks hith- |
erto exclusively employed, so that her |
In strong contrast 20 this Is the case OF |
a young lady who took down In shorthand |
ana mechanically copied the following:
Dear sir--Where did leave that let
ter that came this morning.
The most serious phase Of the profess
sion Is one that Is studiously avoided by |
many and Indignantly denied by others /
who discuss this subject.
Nevertheless those who have had ex- |
perlence. not In being rejected personally, |
but In securing positions for operators |