The Press., 1919-11-13
Force of Words
 +
 By JANE OSBORN '

paper Syndlcate)
 ''But he says he has something i'm portant to say," protested the snub- nosed little office girl. Anyhow, Miss Peterson, he's been here three times today, and If you don't see him now he'll just keep on coming"
 Miss Peterson seemed absurdly small for the large swivel chair in which she sat and, as you looked closely, absurdly young for the ponderous rolltop desk before her. Then, If you had looked again you would have wished that, because she was so young and petite, she might have had enough sunshine and fresh air in her days to put a little more cOlCr in her cheeks and a little more life in those blue eyes that obviously were meant to be more sparkling than they were.
 Did you ask him to write it?" she asked wearily.
 "Yes, but he says it's important" re iterated the girl.
 "If it's important, Peg" explained Jane Peterson, who had a way of ex- blaming things to the indefatigable little office girl, Eff it's very important he had better write 1t, because I can write so much better than I can talk. and might have to make some impOr- tant answer, and if I had to say it, 1 wouldn't know how, Peg" she went on, dipping her pen in ink in order that she might go on signing the letters that 1a " hnf Inr nd orIir hn point of the pen almost affectiOnately. Tt seems as if 1 could write almost anything, but when 1t comes to saying them I'm stumped."
 "Then I'll tell him to come i'm"
 "Yes," and there was resignation and weariness 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 me 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 a little rough looking. Just a little like the movie actors when they are fixed up to look like cattle rangers or something. Not the way he's dressed 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 it usually stood open. If he had something really important to 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 1t.
 But Peter Trevis did not want to propose-at least he didn't want to propose marriage. With considerable abruptness he got down to the business in hand and to begin with produced q cr,ased and well-wOrn sheet torn from one of the popular agricultural publi- cations. He spread 1t out on the slide O1 Jane's desk, and Jane blushed as she beheld the worlds In display type, of one of her own compositions.
 Increase yGar income 100 per cent" were the words of the first line and then more words of an equally dicta- tCrial nature, assuring the farmer or .lanchman that by learning how to use typewriter and how to write com. pClllng 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 tG operate within a few weeks by "Our new lightning method," and take course of fifty lessons in force ful letter writing" and the purchase and use for future reference of some dozen or so books on business and busi- ness English, any one of which would be worth the price of the entire course.
 'YOu wrote that, didn't yOu?" de- handed Peter, becoming aware, as did all who entered Jane's sanctum, that she really was too small and too young for the heavy oak furniture.
 "Yes," she faltered, and then groped in her mind for something to say. For Jane was not glib, when 1t came to talking.
 "Well, I 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 I did now: You wrote that, didn't you? I didn't write to tell you because I can talk better than I can write. Now, what are you going to say?"
 "I don't believe I am going to say anything," faltered Jane, feeling ex- tremely uncomfortable.
 Nothing? You aren't going to de- fend yourself or explain or anything Out there in Oregon I own and operate a rather sizeable prune ranch and there are enough trees on that place so that in few years. If they are Fl loperly marketed. I could buy out why, could buy out this entire plant" He waved his hand rather scornfully toward the surrounding offices of the Union Correspondence school. "The trouble Is, just running that place Is enough to keep one man busy, and I didn't want to take the chances with a partner to take the business end of 1t. The result is that I haven't mar keted my prunes to the best advantage. I read that darned advertisement of yours, and fell for 1t and was con- vinced that I could do what you said l could. So bought the whole out fit and began the lessons"
 "But I wrote only the advertise ment," protested Jane. I had noth- ing to do with ths course. You see, I write all the advertisements from points suggested by the people that get out the different courses"
 "Yes, but 1t was that advertisement" said the prune grower, .wagging his fin- ger threateningly at the sheet that was stretched before them.
 Tt was that advertisement that per suaded me to do 1t. We'll, l thumped that typewriter every night for a month and, honest, can't do thing with 1t, and read the books and took the lessons and when it comes to writ