Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-01-21
CHAPTER LII

1 very beginning of by bust
ness career had been notice
able, was that men, general Opin-
ion perhaps to the contrary, had
little time and less inclination
for social amenities during office
hours. [ do not mean to say
there was no place for courtesy
in business; there is always time
for the considerate word or act.
But there was no time for draw
ing-room airs or graces-nOt in
a successful business office.
II a woman has had absolutely
no business training before she
enters an office, she is at disad-
vantage. l realized that imme-
diately I commenced to hire mex
perienced girls. My own two
years of intensive war work had
in a measure given me perhaps
as varied and as broad a business
outlook as would many more
years in an office where the work
was cut and dried; and where the
duties of one day were a replica
of those of every other day.
| recall one girl [ hired when
I first went with Mr.. Stevens.
She was pretty, and had a bright
mind. 1 was almost positive she
would prove a valuable assistant.
For a time she attended strictly
to business. Then one day one of
the firm, quite a young man, paid
her some trif1ing attention. Just
a simple act of courtesy on his
part meaning nothing. From that
minute Lena Moore changed. She
grew flippant, "up-stage" as one
of the other stenographers ex-
pressed it, with her companions.
And worst of all, f1irtatious.
1 watched her closely, also the
young man. had heard and
read many stories of the employer
who forced his attentions upon
the office girl, and [ was anxious
to know the true inwardness of
the affair. Then, too, 1 had al
ready conceived plan of my own
to help girls who either from in
cIination or necessity entered the
business world; plan for which
| should have to wait fulfilment
until my own experience in the
world of economics fitted me for
the undertaking.
One day Lena was very obvious.
| She neglected the work 1 gave
her, and constantly looked at the
| young man seated at his desk, al
though as far as 1 could see he
had not once turned his eyes in
her direction. That she had also
dressed thinking to attract was
plainly to be seen. Her elaborate
couture, inappropriate waist, and
rouged cheeks were sadly out of
place in an office, although no one
could deny her certain charm
and prettiness.
Finally the young man called
for a stenographer. I sent Lena
to him. She primped a little,
looking into a hand mirror she
always kept conveniently near;
then went over to him. [ pur-
posely changed my position to one
where I could both see and hear.
Not only because it was part of
my job to furnish acceptable help
to the firm, but because of a per-
sonal desire to know if the type
of girl represented by Lena was
desired by employers.
Lena made some flippant re-
mark, then, as he paid no atten-
ton, she made a still more fool
ish one. I was watching him
closely, and saw an ominous
tightening of his lips and a de-
cided scowl, both of which were
lost upon Lena. When he paused
for a moment in his dictation, she
once more attempted to interest
him with some-as she evidently
considered it-facetious remark.
He turned quickly toward her
and said sharply:
miss Moore, please listen to
me a moment. I am paying you
to take my dictation, not to en-
terrain me. When ] need to be
amused, I will go to some place
other than my office to find enter
tainment. You can do good work
if you are so disposed. When you
first came, [ had no fault to find
in you as I knew you were be-
ginner. I realized that you, like
all the others. might accomplish
something for yourself, and also
for us, if you had experience. But
if you are going to try to hold
your position because of your sex
the sooner you go to some place
where sex and not business is the
desideratum the better you will
please me-"
I had listened in establishment
at the badness Of the reproof.
Then 1 rejoiced that I had heard.
I at least had one employers side
of the question.
Lena had flushed crimson. But
he Immediately again commenced
to dictate. / moved away with