Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-02-22
SHE RATIFIED HIM.

For a reporter with but little to write
and plenty of time in which to write 1t
there is nothing more pleas ant than to die
tate a narrative to a cheerful typewriter
particularly if she be young and have
nice soft hair to distract the eye and wei!
formed white fingers and be withal eX-
ceedingly pleasing, but fGf Il reporter with
a long yarn to write and n limited amo INT
of time TO finish it things sometimes have
a different aspect
Near Printing House square is a type
writing office which many newspaper me
frequent. A new girl came there one d.
last wcek-a real nice girl and an exec
lent opcrator-but she had never done that
kind of work before. While she was S
ting in the main room upon the afternoon
of her first day newspaper man came
bustling in, and
Mrs. j., have you got anybody to take
two column story in hurry"
Yes replied the manager. 'Hcrc is
young lady who has just come to US
Miss Brown-Mr. Smith. You can go
into that corner room"
In three minutes the young lady was
seated at her machine the Qewspaper man
was sorting out his notes, and the door
was closed so as to leave them undisturbcd.
Now, if you will please begin" the
newspaper man said. In these days Of
stern reality and suffering and struggle
for existence a romantic episode comes
upon one with the refreshing delight with
which traveller in desert beholds an
oasis. "
Clckcty- clickety click went tho keys,
and then
Isn't that lovely! Is it going to be IA
uovel?'
The newspaper man looked up in amaze
ment, but it was utterly impossible to be
angry with such blue eyes regarding him
in admiration.
mo, he said. PLEASE go on. In the
monotOnous routine of Tombs police court
cases, however, there was one yesterday
behind which lay story so romantic and
so picturesque that it would almost seem
to have been created by great novelist
who had striven to excel all his past eff
forts"
When this had been recorded, and while
the newspaper man was wondering what
he would say next, the young lady, sml-
ing most radiantly, prattlod on in this
fashion,
That's just splendid 1t sounds like n
real novel. Did you ever read Clarssa;
or, The Fororn Hope?' 1t begins some
thing like that, only it isn't so interest
ing. Do you know, never took dictation
like that before. The last place l worked
in had nothing to do but copy letters.
Oh, dear, wasn't it tiresome, thought"
The newspaper man felt his collar get
ting too small but after swallowing some
thinCr hot tn Stin ir,h &c In
said as gently as possible:
Wont you please go on? I'm in some
what of a hurry What have you got
there?"
'Whcre" in great surprise.
II mean please read over what l have
dictated"
"Oh, how stupid I ami In these days
of stern reality'-how do you pronounce
that word-in two syllables or three?
Thank you-'stern reality and suffer
ing -
And she read what she had written
Then, just as the newspaper man had set
tied back in his chair, determined to die
tate to the end without giving her another
opportunity to interrupt him, she said:
Excuse me, think my hair is coming
down"
She went to little mirror in corner
of the room, examined her hair carefully,
and then, after touching up the putfs of
her sleeves and smoothing her waist, she
sighed and returned to her seat.
There, now, I'm all ready"
For the next few minutes she had to
work SO hard that she hadn't time to say
a single word. But soon the page was
filled, and she had to insert new sheet,
and that was her opportunity.
Gracious! How fast you dictate! 1t
almost takes my breath away. But do
you know I like it. l think it's good
practice We're you there when all that
happened? Myi l wish l could be re-
porter"
The newspaper man went on with his
dictation. He was fast growing hopping
mad. but he hadn't the heart to say u
harsh word to the girl. She was really
very pretty, and as she became interested
in the story a delicate flush mantled her
cheeks, and it was a positive pleasure to
watch her, but newspaper man has no
time for pleasure during business hours,
and these charms did not interest him as
much as they might have done under other
circumstances, but he struggled bravely
on.
oh" she suddenly exclaimed, stop
ping in the middle of sentence, did that
really happen?"
Yes, yes Will you please go oni"
well, the idea! Wouldn't have be-
lieved it. Do you know don't believe
half what l read in the papers, but o!
course if you say so it must be true"
Pm very sorry can't chat with you,
Miss Brown, but really I'm in a great
hurry"
"Oh, 1 beg your pardonl forgot all
about that"
For nearly ten minutes there was not
break in the dictation, save where a sheet
became full and fresh one had to be in
serted. The typewriter kept her lips firmly
pressed together, as if she were exerting
all her strength to keep silent. 1t was
clear to see that it could not last much
longer. In the middle of paragraph she
suddenly stopped and with brief "EX
cuse me for a moment" left the room. In
few seconds she returned, with her jaws
moving convulsively and piece of chew
ing gum in her hand.
Won't you have some?" she asked pc.
litely.
fundamentally tell you what-er-
guess l won't have time to finish this
story today. I'll come back some other
time"
t.Oh you,rn NOT uOinu are yOuS Tim