The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-01-23
TAKING HIM DOWN.


"Fosdick." "Thanks, very much
Now, Miss Fosdick, in commencing
your work as stenographer for the
firm of Poplin Il Son, it is necessary
for me to instruct you as to your du-
ties. 1 have charge of the houses
correspondence-entire charge. My
name, Miss Fosdick, is Nipple"
"Yes, Mr.. Hipple," the girl meekly
replied.
SIN the first place." Mr.. Nipple
went on, leaning back in his chair so
as to expand his chest to its utmost
capacity, and twisting the ends of his
mustache with both hands as he spoke,
"in the first place, l always insist on
my stenographer's taking me down
verbatim ct literatim. 1 suppose you
know what that means. It's Latin,
he added condescendingly.
"Yes, SIR"
"Well, Miss Fosdick, I have had
the houses correspondence in my
hands for several years, and both Mr..
Poplins have come to rely implicitly
upon me. Indeed, do not really see
how this department could move along
without me-"
The girls gray eyes looked at the
indispensable clerk with an amused
twinkle.
81 think can say, Miss Fosdick,"
the young man proceeded, as he set
tied himself more comfortably in his
chair, ''and think 1 can say it with
ont the slightest egotism or desire to
boast, that have made the letters of
Poplin & Son famous throughout the
business world as models of English
composition and ornate diction."
The clerk watched the countenance
OF his new assistant closely, to note
the impression of his words.
Miss Fosdick nodded understand
singly and smiled. 1t was q sweet
smile, for she could not smile any
other sort had she tried.
"Those are the reasons why 1 al
ways insist on absolute accuracy on
the part of my stenographer. 1 do
not permit even the alteration of a
single word, or any change whatever.
trust You apprehend me clearly"
"Quite so, Mr.. Nipple"
"Then we will begin"
Mabel Fosdick's first days work
was perfectly satisfactory to the
hypercritical correspondence clerk.
He found himself taken down with
unvarying accuracy.
Everything went on with apparent
smoothness for about a month. The
members of the firm noted with ap-
proval the modest demeanor of their
new typewriter, and the other male
clerks in the establishment envied
Nipple his pleasant duties.
One day the elder Mr.. Poplin sent
for Miss Fosdick to come into his pri-
vate Office.
''Sit down, please" he said, when
she arrived. 81 have here letter
from my friend, Mr.. Shaw, of Shaw
& King, who says that communica-
tion from this firm contains much ir-
relevant matter.
Poplin looked over his glasses at
Miss Fosdick. and found her blush
ing, with her eyes cast down.. He
asked, not unkindly:
"Did you write letter to that firm
lately?"
"Yes, sir"
"Then you know its character?"
"Yes, sir.
"What have you to say about it?"
az wrote it down just as Mr.. Nipple
dictated it, sir.
$50 l supposed, after reading it
but is it not rather unusual to insert
in letters extraneous remarks n.adt
during dictation?"
''He has always insisted on being
taken down verbatim ct literatim, sir,
the pretty typewriter went on, witt
some confusion; "and really, sir, Mr.
Nipple has annoyed me so much will
his attentions, and has refused to de
.sist, TINT felt must do something t
crush him. I'm sorry took tn
method did, oughtn't to-oh
dear. what shall l DOE"