The Irish standard., 1895-03-16

than five years, it is naturally inferred
that those who have reached mature
womanhood have long since passed the
period of their first business zeal, and
therefore cannot be counted on as per-
manent. It is found, too, that in mat
ters Of correspondence every business
man has his idiosyncrasies, be they inn
portant or otherwise, which his en-
ployes must respect, and a beginner is
apt to conform more closely to the
specific methods and details required in
her work than one who for years has
known other forms and customs from
which she finds it difficult to free her
self. Despite this there are doubtless
from three to five hundred women in
this city above thirty years of age who
pursue shorthand and typewriting for
a livelihood, though it is believed that
not one in one thousand commences the
study after she has reached this age.
The few who do are oftentilnes women
who have been thrown by domestic cir
cumstances upon their own efforts and
who do not seek the profession either
because of special adaptation or love of
the work
The reporter was told, also, that some
men favor the employment of young
women because they are less trouble
some than their elders in demanding
short hours and frequent holidays. At
the beginning of her career girl has
not learned to annoy her employer with
the daily request: "May go at three
this afternoon?" or: "Do you mind if I
leave this work till tomorrow" She
is content to do whatever is assigned
to her, is always alert and neatly at
tired, and is as yet ignorant of the
tricks Of the trade. On the other hand
a woman with several years. experience
is better able to Judge the mood and
temperament Of her employer, and
knows when to interrupt or offer a
suggestion. She is never fustered and
seldom undertakes a task beyond her
power, and her superior capa bility is
always shown in the finished docu-
ment.
It is characteristic mistake of be-
ginners to look upon their ability to
take dictation as the only essential con-
dition and to regard typewriting as of
secondary Importance. Their ideas also
of punctuation and the typographical
appearance of letter are often de-
fective; while the mature operator who
has been trained in her work knows
the Importance of this part of itand
realizes better that it is the typewriter
sheet that proves her competence, not
the pages of shorthand, about which
her employer knows or cares nothing.
Investigation indicates that personal
beauty in women is not essential to OBJ
tanning the place of stenographer or
typewriter. In many places, particu-
larly in large offices and banks, where
there are young men clerks, mature
women are desired, and often those Of
plain appearance. The books of an en-
ployment bureau show that when
woman's application is filed for refer
ence no note whatever is kept of her
personal appearance, but merely a
plain statement of her speed and ex-
perience ard the salary expected. It
Is none the less true, however, that
among stenographers and typewriters
good Judgment in matters Of dress and
bearing goes q long way toward giving
an impression of neatness and civility,
and often overweighs shortcomings,
which might otherwise be detrimental
to the applicant
The women in this business who give
promise of being permanent employees
are nearly always preferred, and one
who possesses proper qualifications and
sufficient determination need have no
difficulty in finding . place where her
services will be well appreciated and
paid for, whether she be twenty or
forty years Of age.