South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-31

% watch the stenographic characters
fy from the pencil Of Ann Parsons.
Ills gaze wandered from her busy
fingers 10 the piquant profile and
fluffy brown head, a proceeding
which caused his thoughts TO stray
far from the staid concerns of the
Tungsten Steel Co. his employers.
The girl looked u2 inquiringly.
ION. yes-where was u" Dave
asked hurriedly.
Relative 20 the delay in shipping
your ORDER" she prompted with a
smile that caused Dawes heart to
miss a beat
we desire 10 state that present
conditions in the railroad world
make it very difficult 70 get our GUS
tomary allotment of cars" he hast
ened to resume. Again he allowed
his gaze TO rest upon her as she bent
over her notebook. and straightway
/ he forgot the irate customer whom
ne was endeavoring to conciliate.
Yes" she ventured after a brief
wait
! And then Dawes wandering
thoughts snapped back into the we'll
worn groove Of business In crisp
tones ne finished debating the letter
/ he had begun so haltingly, and fol-
lowed 1t with several others.
That Will be ALL" ne said finally.
The girl gathered up her note
book and pencil and arose.
"One moment, Miss Parsons" ne
added suddenly. as she turned 10 90.
Here is another letter I have writ
ten out in long hand. Make a care
full copy Of it. please"
It's in Portuguese he explained.
as she looked curiously at the mis-
sive he handed her. ITO Santos &
/ Co. Manaos. Brazil"
I've been studying Portuguese
I for some time" he added with a
/ deprecatory grin; "but this IS the
! first time I have dared TO address
. our Brazilian customers in their own
language. I thought it might please
them-also I should like 10 get into
the foreign end of this business. The
I best paying positions are there"
The girl smiled slightly and went
\
room. Dave also smiled musingly as
( ne watched her exit.
A few weeks later an office boy
entered Dawes office.
"Mr. Lynch wants 20 see you in
( his office" was the youngsters bald
/ statement when Dave looked up.
"You must be mistaken" objected
1 strrFg- IL fr7 fr
/ in there"
The boy vouchsafed no explana-
ton in defense OF his impugned
veracity. MIR. Lynch wants 10 see
YOU i'm his office" he repeated calm
/ Iy and shunled out
| Dave approached the Office of the
I president bordering on the turn Of
events which should lead 10 his be-
/ ing summoned before that official
and the board of directors in quar-
terly session assembled.
Gentlemen" said Mr.. Lynch. as
Dave entered, this is Mr.. owens,
chief of our order department"
Dave bowed and tried to stand up
bravely under the scrutiny which
Mr.. Lyncb's dignifed associates bent
upon him.
/ Owens, l have here letter from
Manuel santos of Manaos. Brazil "
continued Mr.. Lynch.
Yes. sir"
He expresses his delight at get
\ ting a letter in his own language
from this firm, and says that he re-
/ CARDS it as a sign that America is
/ beginning TO wake up 10 her oppor-
tunities in south America. You
wrote that letter. did you not2"
( YES. sir. I've been studying
/ Portuguese for some time.
why. Owens2'
ct thought that after the knowj-
edge might prove profitable 10 the
company 70 myself
"Hum-m-m" unused the president
You were rejected in the draft,
weren't you?"
Yes. sir" confessed Dave sadly.
Il couldn't tell an enemy from an
ally without these thick glasses"
I'm that case there IS nothing 70
interfere with your leaving the
country now" said AIr Lynch.
Owens. we are not going 70 wait
untn the war ends. The early bird.
YOU know We have decided 20
omen an office I'm Brazil az once. and
in view OF your knowledge OF the
language OF the country and the
good work YOU have doae here, We
have decided TO put you in charge o.
it,"
AR -gentlemen-I-"
You needn't answer right or the
bat. owens" said the president with
a smile Take plenty OF time &c
think things over and make your
arrangements. The salary viii be
right-double what you receive here
10 start-more later"
Dave returned 10 his desk in 8
happy daze. Opportunity had ham
mered on his door and ne had been
ready for her. II was fitting that he
should 90 10 Brazil, He was alone
IN the world. There were no home
ties 10 be broken. he reflected.
The noise OF "a typewriter came
from the adjoining room. Its rattle
caused Dawes thoughts suddenly t.
take a sober turn, We're there IN
deed no ties 70 be broken