The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-07-03
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
Force of Words.
BY JANE OSBORN.
(copyright 1913, by the Mcclure

been here three Times IooaS' auu ~
gou don't see him now he'll Just keep
IN coming"
small for the large swivel chair in
which she sat and, as you looked close.
b. absurdly young for the ponderous
toiltop desk before her. Then, II you
had looked again you would have
wished that, because she was so young
and petite, she might have had enough
Hunshine and fresh air in her days to
put q little more color In her cheeks
md little more life in those blue
yves that obviously were meant 10 be
more sparkling than they were.
.'Did you ask him to write it," she
asked YEARLY.
Eyes, but he says it's important" re.
fterated the girl.
"If it's important, Peg" explained
Jane Peterson, who had a way OF ex-
planning things to the indefatigable lit
de office girl, eff it's very important
be had better write 1t, because ! can
write SO much better than l can talk,
and / might have to make some i'm
portant answer, and If l had to say It,,
Z / wouldn't know how, Peg" she went
on, dipping her pen in ink in order
that she might go on signing the let
ters that lay before her, and then re-
garding the point OF the pen almost af-
Eectionately ut seems as If could
write. almost anything, but when 1t
comes to saying them I'm stumped."
eThen I'll tell him to come in?"
Eyes" and there was resignation ana
WEAKNESS in the tone.
But Peg" and Jane showed more
interest, what does he look like? Do
you suppose he wants to sell history
Of Napoleon on installments or to get
nae to have my life insured?"
"He Is no agent" announced Peg
loyalty. And he doesn't look like the
people you see around here. He's big
and Just little rough looking. Just a
little like the movie actors when they
are fixed up to look like cattle rangers
or something. No THE way he's dress
ed, but the way he walks and the look
Of his face"
well, send him in" and Jane again
lapsed into resignation and weariness
Thus Peter Trevis was ushered into
the office of Jane Peterson, and Peggy
closed the door as she went out of the
room, although 1t usually stood open.
II he had something really important
10 say, reasoned the romantic Peggy,
maybe 1t was to propose, and she was
sure he wouldn't want to have the
whole outside office hear It.
But Peter Trevis did not want to pro-
pose-at least he didn't want to pro-
pose marriage. With considerable alb.
ruptness he got down to the business
IN hand and to begin with produced
creased and well ITorn sheet torn from
one OF the popular agricultural publ
cations. He spread 1t out on the slide
Of James desk, and Jane blushed as
she beheld the words, in display type,
Of one Of her own compositions.
Increase your income 100 per cent"
were the words on the first line. and
then more words of an equally dIcta-
storial nature, assuring the farmer or
ranchman that by learning how to use
a typewriter and how to write COM
pelling business letters he could, in
spare minutes, double his income. All
that was necessary was to buy type.
writer. which he was assured he could
learn to operate within a few weeks
by "our new lightning method" and
takeNa course of fifty lessons in force,
eul letter writing" and the purchase
and use for future reference of some
dozen or SO books on business and
business English, any one of which
would be worth the price of the entire
course.
"You wrote that, didn't your" de-
handed Peter, becoming aware as did
all who entered James sanctum, that
she really was too small and too young
for the heavy oak furniture.
2 Yes" she faltered, and then CROPPED
IN her mind for something to say. For
Jane was not glib, when it came to
talking.
well, want to tell you that I've
come all the way from Oregon just to
meet you and show you that and to say
TO you Just as did now: You wrote
that, didn't you? I didn't write to tell
You because / can talk better than
can write. Now, what are you going
10 say?"
Il don't believe am going to say
anything" faltered Jane, feeling ex.
tremely uncomfortable.
Nothing? You aren't going to de-
TEND yourself or explain or anything?
Out there in Oregon own and operate
SA6SSAO ~ uhC lauCll,
are enough trees on that place so that
In few years, If they are properly
marketed l could buy out-why, l could
buy out this entire plant" He waved
his hand rather scornfully toward the
surrounding offices Of the Union Core.
spondence School. 1.-THE trouble is. lust
running that place is enough to keen
pne man busy, and l didn't want 10
take the chances with a partner to
take the business end of it. The result
Is that haven't marketed my prunes
70 the best advantage. / read that
uarned advertisement of yours and n
fell for it and was convinced that n
could do what you said I could. So !
bought the whole outfit and began the
lessons" 49, Nt4e
But / wrote only the advertise.
mentf protested Jane. az had moth.
Ing TO do with the course. You see. nj
write all the advertisements from
points suggested by the people thar
get out the different courses"
Yes, but It was that advertise.
Ient said the prune grower, wagging
his finger threateningly at the Sheet
that was stretched before them.
It was that advertisement that mar
sueded me to do 1t. Well, / thumned
That typewriter every night for