Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-05-27

and am still young. I am wearing
mourning and not going out much. How
long should I wear black and should |
accept the attentions of gentlemen while
still in mourning. Z. H..
The custom of wearing mourning is
rot followed as much as formerly and
six months is considered long enough,
to appear in black. AS for accepting at
tentions from men friends. 1t is a mat
ter entirely within your own discretion.
Seeks the Fourth Estate
Dear Miss Doom:
l am a girl 10 years DID,. 1 have a
high school education, went through
business college and a one years ex-
perience as a s~tenographer. l would
like to become a newspaper reporter.
Will you advise me to study and
how to apply for a position of this
character? Yours truly, b. c. G.
The newspaper field Is a hard one for
a woman to enter. a hard one in which to
gain a footing, but one of the most de-
lightful, interesting and broadening lines
of work in which one can engage. How
ever, there is no need of my l%eulogizing
1t, as the fact that you desire to enter
1t shows that you, too, realize its ad-
yantages.
Perhaps my experience may help you.
From the time l was able to hold a pen
ell with any degree of steadiness / had
visions of myself as a reporter. With
that aim in mind I directed my educa-
ton along the line of my ambition. After
graduating from college l made a tour
of most Of the newspaper and magazine
offices In New York and vicinity, left my
name and address and took in return a
promise that l would be sent for as soon
as Miss Brown of the woman's depart
ment, or Miss Jones of the social depart
ment should embark on the matrimonial
seas. Realizing the uncertainty of such
events / coupled with my visits nswer
to every advertisement that could be
construed as a position even distantly
related to one on a newspaper.
Finally an Out-of-town paper adver-
tised for a society reporter with expert
ence. 1 answered by letter and also
took an early morning train to tina
little town. The editor happened to be
one Of those broadminded men would
there were more of them in every pro-
f~ession) who do not spell experience
with a big e and every other qualifica-
ton with small letters, and so decided
to give me a chance. And in the news
paper field, as in all other fields, when
one has once made an opportunity every
thing else depends upon the degree to
which one enters into the work.
If 1 were you l would make personal
application at every newspaper office In
this city, New York and the suburbs,
inquiring not only for a position as a
regular member of the staff, but also for
an opportunity to do space work-that
is, to send in articles to be paid for, If
accepted, according to the space they
occupy.
As to study, read, read, read and then
read some more, not only the best books
you can obtain, but the best newspapers,
not forgetting that the editorial page of
a good, unbiased newspaper is an educa-
ton In itself. Try writing up little per-
sonal experiences, rewriting newspaper
stories and above all things cultivate a
nose for news" You will be surprised
how many of the little incidents you see
or hear of and which occupy your
thoughts for only a moment will in the
hands Of a reporter make a first page
story.
Human interest stories, or, as the news
paper men uellBnC TO call Jnem, SOD
stories,'' have long been considered wom-
ans special sphere, probably because
woman is more sympathetic than man.
You can't go down into the busy thor
oughfare of this city without finding
some little incident which, properly writ
ten, will appeal to every reader. As you
are a stenographer, practise going to lee
lures, taking down notes and then
writing a report in your own words and
writing criticisms of every play you at
tend. Under no circumstances let a day
pass by without writing an article from
200 to 500 words in length.
Persevere. The end is worth the strug
gle. Success to you, and may l some day
nave the pleasure of reading your ar
ticles.
Mrs, j.. H., of Ar1ington-Many thanks
for your good wishes conveyed In your
letter of May 8. I hope you may have
an opportunity to enjoy many such eve.
nings.