The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-21
TALKING SHOP" FAD
SOME OF THE DAILY EXPERIENCES
OF MODERN SOCIAL LIFE.
Unpleasant Features One Who Is In
Business Encounters-whiteI
Reds Rctort.

Talking shop is always an uninteresting
pastime for the "shopkeeper" while away
from shop and when he has no financial
reasons for talking, yet nine of every ten
persons insist upon making other persons
talk about matters of which the persons
talked to are sick and tired. 1t must be
very trying to the nerves of a physician,
after spending nearly all of his time with
the sick or studying their troubles, to
imagine he has few minutes for diversion
and then to have some person ask him,
ARE there many sick people now?' Doctors
say under such circumstances they would
rather talk about something else and get
other persons suffering off of their minds.
1t must be distracting to lawyer to spend
six days of ten hours each with the words.
decision, demurrer, clients. venue, etc."
ringing in his ears and then go out to
escape the sound and be met by some kind
ly disposed person who asks him for an
opinion upon some matter regarding which
the Supreme judges of sixteen States have
differed The man in business who watches
the markets and figures all week to keep
on the right side must simply bubble
over with joy when he goes out for a
pleasant evenings entertainment and is
forced to talk about markets. prices and
finances. School teachers say they often
times become so sick of hearing about
scholars, books and of the traits of a
school teacher that they want to scream
when someone asks them to relate some
of their experiences You seldom find clerks
or statesmen saleswomen who show a
willingness to talk about their daily occu-
patton, although they often find persons
who think the experiences and tribulations
of clerks and statesmen are the most inter-
esting matters in the world. You never
find man who works in shop at hard
labor who cares about stopping to relate,
round his daily work. Any little incident
which may arise is relished and willingly
drills, etc." workman will seek a neigh
boring drug store or saloon and talk about
the coming election or the Corbett-Fitzsim.
everybody to get away from that which
surrounds them during working hours and
1t seems to be the nature of nearly every
body else to push them right back in the
surroundings from which they are attempt
ing to escape.
paper offices are probably asked to talk
shop as much as any other class of per-
reporter IS pp on the Constant lookout for
news. but there are times when he does
not want to talk about the mater matte A re-
to-day?" scores of times day. He can't
escape that question. He can't go out to
what her friends insist upon talking of
newspaper work. Very probably the re-
porter would write up his girls grandmoth-
err If by chance he heard story relating to
her, but while making quiet call he would
rather talk about something other than
tiers Which worry him six and often seven
days of the week. 1t is impossible for the
to or h bes ns with ss
is news is expected, and as much as the
poor fellow may try to get away from his
business, he is pursued. A story is told of
a newspaper man of this city who has been
in the business for years. Upon one occa-
sion he was the guest at the home of
friend. He was not there in a professional
capacity, and he was not seeking items.
He was trying to enjoy himself. and so far
scooped that day, when lawyer brought
him back to life by saying:
Hello, Mr.. - Hunting items, chr
Are you here hunting clients?'' asked the
reporter with some show of spirit.
The writer has never been a managing
editor, but it must be delightful for that
on his way To the office or while out for
a walk and commence asking questions
about the paper or throwing out delicate
hints regarding improvements which might
be made. There Is a story told of White
dinner by woman who sat near him She
kept talking about bout. his paper and speasing
would no doubt have been glad to forget
for the time being. She said some very
light and meaningless thing and then turn
ing to Mr.. Reid giggled
Now don't put that in your paper. Mr..
Reid The great editor looked at her sad
ly. almost hopelessy and said rather sr coldIy:
was not bothered any more during the even
ing. ~
politics is expected to pass opinions upon
elections at all times and give his candid
poiitician is supposed to be affable at all
times. but there are surely times when he
would like to- talk about something other
than primaries, candidates and elections:
The man who holds an office is expected
to talk and give information regarding his
affairs If he be 1 county co ntoe of hSn ne Is
ton what the grand jury is doing; II
he be State official he is expected to talk
been trying not to talk about for months
and if he is a government official he is
the government at Washington knows. 1t
is said that member of the Board of
Works cannot go forth for a drive but what
are to be made or if brick pavements have
given satisfaction. superintendent of Police
saws. while away from office than while
there. He has been rather conspicuous
figure here since his appointment ana 6a,I ne
waylaid and questioned about the saloons
and asked if they are obeying the laws.
borhood evening party which Mr.. Powell
attended not many months ago. he was
little late in getting there ,c ana sssnn ne en-
stop to make an arrest?
ANY robberies Tonight
Are you going to arrest us?
Some one remarked, Were Saye now,
and when Ii O'Clock came some other per-
son remarked. 1--WE will have to close up
now, since Mr.. Powell is here" Now it
may be that Mr.. Powell enjoyed all this.
but man who there says that he did
not have that appearance. He acted as If
he wanted to run. doctor met Mr. Powell
and j0kingly asked:
Didn't come here to arrest us, did your
Look here / want to speak to YOU SID
Mr.. Powell, pulling the doctor aside, II
came here to enjoy myself and do let me
forget that / am superintendent of police.
I might ask you If you had made any calls
to-day or have you had any friends to
die. How would you ike that?
LET the matter drop, for heavens sake,
replied the doctor.
The man in public life leaves for vaca-
ton and he is visited by persons of good in
tentions, who ask him regarding public
matters They think he is most interested
in that subject. The doctor forgets his prac-
tice for an hour and endeavors to have a
pleasant evening. Perchance the first man
he meets is a lawyer who asks regarding the
eDidemc of grip. The lawyer seeks diversion
and a merchant brings him back to himself
by asking casual opinion upon some COM
rercaal subject. The merchant goes away
but along comes some person who would
deem If a favor to have a few views on
the tariff The clerk, salesman and sales
woman workman and all try to escape but
everywhere they are forced to talk shop
And the reporter, at times, may worry them
all, innocently enough, OF course.