Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-06-07
The Daily Short Story
The New Typewriter.


typewriter. He made his head clerk try
the different applicants and test their
skill and engage the best one. The one
the head clerk engaged was a large, i'm
pressive looking woman OF much beauty
and with the haughtiness of a duchess.
She dressed we'll and richly. and her
manner when sitting before the machine
was that OF a grand woman of society
who condescended to play occasionally
on the piano. She had much the air OF a
woman who was employing the men in
the Office to take care of her millions and
make out her accounts. Mr.. Bulles al
ways felt as though he ought to ask her
permission TO smoke and was almost
afraid to ask her to take down any OF his
correspondence. What work he dared
to give her she did as we'll as it could be
done, so he had nothing against her ex-
cept her pride. lie determined finally TO
break down her pride. He had been I'M
comfortably impressed with her dignity.
Now she should learn what it was TO feel
that way toward him.
SO the next morning he called her in.
and after debating few business letters
he said: Now. ON the smaller paper,
please. Are you ready? Let me see"
He unused as he bit carelessly at the top
Of his cigar and gaZed out OF the win
dow.
Thanks very much" he began. but
II will be quite impossible. i have posi-
lively refused TO 20 into political life
in any capacity. and. though the position
OF minister 10 so important n city as ST.
Petersburg TO succeed Smith is highly
complimentary. l could not leave New
York and my work. Tell the president
In 4 nfff L, haf no 10
very good, but that he must look for
some one else"
The typewriter girl took this down
with a calm. unruffled countenance. Her
severity OF demeanor was absolutely I'M
changed. lis that all?" she asked.
YES" said Bulles weakly. YES. l be
lieve that is ALL" He was not TO be put
down by little thing like that and called
her in again during the afternoon and
dictated the following note:
Delmonico's-wiIl YOU reserve one Of the largest
private dining rooms for this evening and
prepare supper for 100? find my are too
small and will have TO have one Of yours Serve
the same supper ordered and prepare floor for
dancing. You can 20 70 any length in the mat
ter Of decoration. but keep the cost Of the flowers
down 10 $1,000. Yours truly.
The other note was:
Dear Old Mani should be very glad 20 accept
Certainly you can have all the horses you want.
Tue two leaders in town. but viii have them
sent out 10 you think the price you offer for
the coach is reasonable, and viii let you have
it for that, as am going TO give up coaching
and get yacht Yours
Mr.. Dulles said: That will do. When
they are finished. let me see them" He
thought he detected a slight unbending in
the superior manner of the young wom-
an, but he was not too hopeful.
When the girl brought in the letters,
finished and ready for his signature. he
tossed them carelcssly aside and said, Il
will sign them later. and I'll post them
myself" lie signed them and slipped
them in their envelopes under his other
papers, where the clerks might not see
them. and planned for the future. On
the day following he refused three invi-
tatiOns to dine with distinguished peo-
ple ordered an architect 10 call and see
him about building a country house at
Newport and wrote to order diamond
necklace.
The typewriter girl began to take n lit
tie more interest and said. Yes. sir" in
stead OF simply "Yes." which was some
thing. He felt that he was getting on.
But on the fourth day she appeared
with even a colder and more naughty
air and laid three letters down upon his
desk. She always opened his mail for
him and divided the private notes from
the business letters. Here" she said.
''are three notes which / did not know
whether to hand TO you or to the clerk. ="
Bulles glanced at one of them. 1t read:
The private dining room and supper ordered by
yOu for Tuesday evening were prepared and in
readiness for you as directed, but no one ap-
peared. Are we to understand that there has
been a mistake, or is your letter. which we have
retained. to be considered in the nature Of hoax.
has some one forged your name? Awaiting
your reply, etc, DELNoNIcos-
Mr.. Bulles sank still farther into his
chair. He opened the next letter with a
trembling hand. The girl still lowered
above him like an aveDging spirit.
The letter was from a friend and con-
tanned a clipping from n newspaper.
Dear Hen" the note ran, have you
seen this Associated Press clipping
And what in heavens name does II
mean? Some one has evidently been
playing a practical joke on you and one
that must strike you as most unpleas-
ant one"
The clipping read as follows: