The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-17
THE EVENING STORY
Patricia's Sphere.
(By Mary Marshall.)


(By Mary Marshan.)
Young Harry Craig, though only 80
years old and with the record of hav-
ing been the most eccentric and at the
same time the most original member
OF his class in college, had developed,
in the two years since he succeeded his
father as partner of the firm Of Craig
q Towne, into a business genius.
Already people were asking him to
tell them the secret of his success.
Men who had regarded this awkward,
generally unfriendly young man some
what in the light Of joke in college
were now coming to him to get him to
explain his philosophy of business. He
was asked to make speeches on "effi-
cheney and the psychology of sue
cess at class reunions. The only char
acteristic to which Harry Craig ever
attributed his success was his ability to
judge human nature. My business
success is due to my ability to select
my employees" young Craig explain
ed. L personally attend to the employ
ment of the least consequential copyist
and the most incidental office boy. That
Is the only secret of my business phil
osophy."
1t was the day the new stenog-
rapher was expected. Half a dozen
applicants who had arrived from the
agency were sitting in various pos
lures of expectation and hope in the
were of various sorts, from the two
who had arrived last, who were try
ing to conceal their nervousness by
chewing gum, to the girl at the other
end of the row, who had arrived first,
who was quite unable to hide her I'M
easiness but sat with clenched hands
and scarlet cheeks wondering whether
she would forget what she had planned
to say.
There was commotion and
Strengthening up of bent shoulders
and readjustment of hats when a
voice from the next room-a slow
speaking, distinctive voice-was heard
to say: II will look them over out
there where they are. I can tell with
out asking any questions which one is
fitted for the position" And then
very tall, somewhat stopped, interest
ing looking young man STROBE out, and,
totally unembarrassed, stood looking
critically from one to the other of the
girls.
He looked at them from under low
bent brows, taking in, as he passed
from one girl to the next, the chew
ing gum, the presence Of jewelry, the
state of hands and shoes, the shape
of the head and above all, the man
ner in which they received his scru-
tiny. He also noted the position in
the line-noted that the first arrival
Patricia Flagg-was the one whom
efficient. He paused for a full min
ute looking at her. She was neatly
dressed-exceptionall so; she was en-
barrassed at the ordeal through which
she was going. That was good sign,
too She was wholesome looking, and
yet possessed Of fine, delicate features,
the features that Craig associated with
accuracy and neatness His mind was
made up. With the mastery skill which
characterized his short business career
he had decided.
will this young woman" he said.
looking straight at Patricia F'lagg
ewithout a smile, kindly remain. 1t
will not be necessary for me to seek
further And with that young Craig
left the room, and Patricia was left
to the tender mercies of a straight
figured, straight-faced, experienced
stenographer, who conducted Patricia
to her desk, gave her two pencils and
a notebook and told her to examine
her typewriter and to await future Or
ders."
Patricia was very much disappoint-
ed that she had not been able to
speak to the interesting young man
who had apparently chosen her from
her companions. She wanted to ex-
plain to him that, though she was
quite inexperienced, she was very anxi-
Gus to please him.
1t was as Patrich feared; she was
Craig, who began his letter before
Patricia had opened her notebook. with
the result that Patricia was ratified and
managed to get down only half the
words
She told the experienced stenographer
that she had been unable to transcribe
her notes, and after trying, with less
success, to take notes from less i'm
portant members, Patricia was ushered
into Mr. Craig's Office for inter-
view.
II will tell you, Miss F1agg''-Pa-
tricia felt inexplicable joy at the
thought that he had discovered and
then remembered her name-"I am
an expert in judging human nature.
knew from the first that you had
capabilities. I am satisfied of that.
There is something about you that
makes me sure. You have failed in
stenography; you may be able to sue
coed as a typist."
Patricia felt the color come to her
fresh young cheeks She wanted to
explain to him that she was mex
perienced in tipping, but above all she
wanted to live up to his good opinion
of her, so she told Mr.. Craig that she
would try" and went back to the
big office to begin the task of tipping.
After a week Patricia proved her utter
inability to make herself useful as a
typiSt- Then came another interview
with Mr.. Craig, in which he again as
sured her of his perfect confidence in
her ability, and proposed this time to
try her out as switchboard operator.
A week of struggles with the wires
followed. in which Patricia became
hopelessly confused and again proved |
her inability to live up to Craig's |
good opinion of her. Craig called her |
into his office again
Miss Flagg," he said this time, |
81 find you have made a failure of |
everything you have attempted. The |
n iSoY iYfD 70 L. tha,