Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-02-25
How She Got the Increase.

Miss Smith had been the stenographer
of Jones, Brown & Co. for two months,
relates the New York Commercial, and to
express it in her own way, was getting
dead sore on the job" She was fully re-
covered from the fears she had at first
entertained concerning her own Importance
and had almost learned to get to the office
on time in the morning.
She could take dictation fairly well and
had learned to use the typewriter. She
felt aggrieved. She had worked two whole
months and her salary had not been in
creased. Even her new hat, which gave
the hangover effect to her pompadour, had
failed to bring results, and her new en-
broidered sweater did no better.
She resolved to speak with Jones con-
corning 1t. She spoke and Jones grunted.
He didn't even look up from his desk.
So Miss Smith retired and determined to
seek another position. She waited a few
days to see IL the grunt meant yes or no,
and then, studying the want ads she
selected two and determined to answer
them. This is what she wrote:
TX 12S-Dear Sir: In answer to your
advertisement will say that I am a young
lady of refinement and good appearance.
I have had considerable experience as a
confidential stenographer and am now en-
ployed as confidential secretary by Jones,
Brown & Co. My object in desiring to
change my position is that I do not feel
that I am being treated fairly here. I
have to work from o'clock to 6, with no
holidays and no possible chance for an
increase in salary. They seem to think
I am a mere machine, with no feeling
whatever. 1t is not 50 much the work
but Mr.. Jones shows me little respect, and
I do not desire to remain longer in such
a place. He does not regard the presence
of ladies'. He pays no attention, never
addresses a kind smile to any of his em-
ployes, and sits in his shrtsleeves and uses
the cuspidor frequently. II you have any
thing to offer I would appreciate an
answer"
The letters were mailed Saturday after
noon. Monday morning Miss Smith, with
her pompadour a trife more effectively ar
ranged and her paper cuffs a bit more
coquettishly set over her shapely arms,
took her position-three minutes ahead OF
time. Jones arrived, and with a short nod
went to his desk and began TO open his
mail Ten minutes later he opened letter
and suddenly sat up straight, reading.
Then he exploded with laughter.
miss Smith," he called. please take die
tation." Miss Smith arrived with her per-
fectly pointed pencil and her pad of paper.
'Now take this: Miss Smith. 1924 Blank
street. Yes, that's right" he said. as she
started in surprise.
you must be mistaken" she hesitated.
That's my"
Take dictation, please"
1--WE have your note of Saturday and
beg to assure YOU that we appreciate your
reasons for wanting to make a change.
We have been thinking of changing stenog-
raphers because our present one. who is
OF good appearance-in fact, actually pretty
is so sure of her own Importance that she
does not attend to business. She came to
US incompetent and green. and in two
months, at our expense she has learned
her business and made good progress on
the typewriter. She is constantly trying
to make us believe that we are lucky to
have her here-and she wants an increase
In salary We regret that we, too, work in
our shirtsleeves and use the cuspidor fire.
quently, but we will try to control the
latter habit II you accept a position here,
and also we will smile whenever we look
at you. Yours sincerely That will do,
think"
Since they understand each other Miss
Smith and Jones are getting along IA
mously-and her raise in salary is in sight.