The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-10

the toast, but of the delivery, be-
cause he was learning to read and
recitc like other men. He want
ed to know if | couldn't give him
lessons, teaching how he used to
do. That was impossible and I
told him so. No civilized human
being except himself had ever done
as he had done.
"Wonen as a rule don't care
1nuc', about their delivery. They
say, and I expect they are quite
right, that the members of their
.clubs never listen to the speeches
and papers read at their meetings.
They either sit and whisper OF they
think about outside affairs. They
do the thing for the sake Ct the re-
putation it gives them and to See
their name in the papers of the re-
ports of the meetings. II one of my
speeches is printed in a magazine,
a paper or an annual I require an
extra payment.
"Women never object to this.
They seem quite satisfied with the
reputation Of having produced
something worth printing. Men
are not so easily satisfied. T,ey
think ore payment ought to suffice
unless they get some money re-
turns for the printed article. Even
then thew will haggIe about it. Of
course, always have enc argu-
1nent to bring them to their senses.
I always ask: What would your
friends and the public say if I
should insert as an advertisement
my affidavit claiming that article as
the product of my brain and re-
search? I don't have to ask that
question often, however, [ am
thankful to say. People as a rule
are willing to stand by their bar
gains.
Next to the Christmas season
the graduation season is the busl-
est for me. I couldn't begin to tell
you how many graduation speeches
I have written in my time. At
least half my orders for such
speeches come from the parents OF
the boy or girl to BE- graduated:
When I remind them that boys and
girls are not supposed to get assist
ance in such work it does no good,
only distresses them.
MY methods are very simple.
To begin with I came to New York
with the intention of writing for
the papers. I didn't make much OF
success, and seeing this opening
I determined to step in the breach
and try my hand at working up a
business. Realizing the necessity
of a convenient locality I rented
this studio. From some half dozen
customers, most of them club wo-
men, nv business has grown until
now I am <. ed to employ two re-
/ gular assistan,, and am already
dreading the day whe. another will
have to be broken in. One assist
ant does my office worn, while the
other spends all her time in the
libraries. I have to have material
to build up articles and speeches on
and it is her business to get as
mitch as the Libraries can give.
"Couldn't I make as much mon
ey as a magazine or newspaper
writer? I certainly don't believe |
could make half as much. There IS
a great difference between speak
ing and reading. A speech or artl-
Gle that would pass muster and ev-
en- be considered clever when wei
spoken might prove both flat anc
Improbable reading. There is
nothing original in my work-a
few Jokes, not always new: few
facts, historical Or to suit the sub
iect under discussion, clothed in
good English. Any well educated
woman willing to give her time
and mind to it might do as we'll. Il
is lack of time among the people
who are rushing about in their ct
forts to keep up with everything
more than anything else that put:
money in my pockets. The ma
jority Of the men and wome1
whose speeches and toasts I sup
ply could do just as we'll themsel
YES if they only had the time te
think them out"