and during all that time she sat there idly. After transacting my business with her employer, I was bold enough to ask him in an undertone how he got along with his stenographer. He immediately responded: The girl I have is a fairly good shorthand writer, but is a very poor typewriter operator; her letters are full of mistakes, and she cannot operate the machine with any speed; but I suppose that is due to the fact that she has only a little work to do here each day; does not have enough practice, so I can't blame her.' 'Yes, you can,' said I. 'Both you and she are to blame. Now, let me give you a pointer. When she has no letters to write, put her to copying articles from newspapers, books, or anything to keep that machine busy all the time.' He thanked me, and thought it a capital idea, and when I met him a few days after, the very first thing he said to me was: 'Harrison, both my stenographer and I owe you a vote of thanks for that copying idea you gave me the other day; she has improved a hundred per cent in her typewriting and I intend to raise her salary next month.'"
What applies to typewriting in this case will apply equally well to shorthand. Don't be idle; utilize every spare moment and practice—practice—practice.
A FEW DON'TS.
Don't Erase. That is to say, never use an eraser to correct an error in shorthand writing. Sim-
