The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-01-26
HOW SHE eoT A RAISE.
The Typewriter Girl Who Did Not Like
Her Treatment.


From the New York Commercial.
Miss Smith had been the stenographer Of
Jones. Brown & Co. for two months, and,
to express it in her own way. was get
ting dead sore on the job She had fully
recovered from the fears she had at first
entertained concerning her own impor-
lance. 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 increased, Even her new rat, which
gave the hangover effect to her pompa-
dour, had failed to bring results, and her
new embroidered sweater did no bet
ter.
She resolved to speak with Jones con-
corning it. 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 If the grunt meant yes or
no, and then, studying the want ads
she selected two and determined to an
swer them. This is what she wrotei
TX X 12S-Dear Sir: In answer TO
your advertisement, I will say that ] am
young lady Of refinement and good APP
pearance I have had considerable ex-
perience as a confidential stenographer
and am now employed as confidential
secretary by Jones, Brown & Co. My OBJ
ject in desiring to change my position is
that do not feel that I am being treated
fairly here. have to work from O'Clock
to 6, with no holidays and no possible
chance for an increase in salary They
seem to think that am a mere machine,
with no feeling whatever. 1t Is not so
much the workout Mr.. Jones shows me
little respect, and l do not desire to re-
main longer in such a place. He does not
regard the presence of ladies. He pays no
attention. never addresses kind smile
to any of his employees, sits in his shirt
sleeves and uses the cuspidor frequently.
If you have anything to offer l would ap-
preelate an answer.
The letters were mailed Saturday after
noon. Monday morning Miss Smith, with
her pompadour a trifie more effectively
arranged, and her paper cuffs bit more
coquettishly set over her shapely arms,
took her position--three minutes ahead of
time. Jones arrived, and, with short nod,
went to his desk and began to open his
mall Ten minutes later he opened let
! ter ana suddenly sat up straight reaulnB.
Then he exploded with laughter.
Miss smith," he called, Please take
dietatlon.n Miss Smith arrived with her
perfectly pointed pencil and her pad of
paper
Now, take this Miss Smith 1884
Blank street Yes, that's right he said,
as she started in surprise.
You must be mistaken" she hestated,
That's MY
Take dictation, please"
8. 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 stem
ographers. 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, has learn
ed her business and made good progress
on the typewriter. She Is constantly try
ing to make us believe that we are lucky
to have her here-and she wants an in
crease in salary We regret that we, too,
work in our shirtseeves and use the GUS
pidor frequently, but we will try to con-
troll the latter habit IL you accept posi-
ton here, and also we will smile when
ever 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.