Exercise 5.

Write an article of 350 to 600 words on the qualifications, general and special, necessary for an amanuensis in a business office, including the work that may properly be required and a description of the needful apparatus and appliances and the manner of their use.

Exercise 6.

Write an article of 350 to 600 words on what is expected of the modern amanuensis, including a description of the work, besides shorthand and typewriting, that may properly be required of an amanuensis in a business office.

LESSON LX.

MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISES.

I.

WANTED-First-class stenographer who understands bookkeeping. Address W., Times-Union.

2.

WANTED—Bright, energetic man of education and business ability for position where application means advancement. Address 428, Times-Union.

3.

WANTED—A stenographer who can write what I mean, not what I say. Address X, Herald.

4.

WANTED-Young man for office work. Must be good penman and quick and accurate in figures. Apply in own handwriting to H. R., Journal office.

5.

WANTED-Young lady to work on books and do general office work. Must be neat in appearance and write plain, business hand. Wages $6 to start. Address Box 19, World office.

6.

BOY WANTED-Bright, active boy, age 15 to 17 years, to work in office. Good chance for advancement. Wages, $5.50 first two months. Apply in own handwriting, giving references, to M63, Tribune office.

7.

STENOGRAPHER-Young lady stenographer wanted at once in one of the busiest offices in the city. None but first class need apply. Address 99, Star office.

8.

Mr. W. H. Dunn of Seattle, Wash., has been owing you a bill which is long past due. Write him in reference to the matter.

9.

You have received no reply to your letter to Mr. Dunn. Write him more urgently.

IO.

You have decided that Mr. Dunn does not intend to pay the bill unless compelled to do so. Write to your attorneys in Seattle, Griffin & Griffin, giving them the facts and a statement of his account with instructions to bring legal proceedings, if necessary, to collect it.

LESSON LXI.

II.

Mary Smith has been a servant in your father's family for four years and has been faithful and conscientious in performing her duties. Write a general letter of recommendation for her.

12.

Write to one of the Senators from your State, asking for a copy of his latest speech delivered in the Senate.

13.

Some time ago you drew a sight draft on Lawrence Beekman, Erie, Pa., and deposited it in your bank. The bank has returned it to you protested and you have paid the fees, $1.50. Write to Mr. Beekman expressing surprise that he should have dishonored the paper and asking him to remit at once the amount of the draft, $80.00, and protest fees.

14.

Assuming that you are a lawyer and have collected for a client a bill amounting to $374.00, deduct your commission of 5% and write him enclosing your check for the balance. Express the hope that he will favor you with other claims in the future as he may have them.

15.

Assuming that you are a general agent for some farm machine company, write to a special agent in your territory. who is not sending in the orders you think he should be able to secure. Inquire how he is working his territory and offer suggestions.

16.

The firm of Bain Bros., Indianapolis, Ind., have written that some of the goods sent them in the last invoice were damaged through being improperly packed and that the damage amounted to $13.25. Write them enclosing credit memorandum for that amount.

17.

Write an advertisement for a man to take charge of delivery wagon.

18.

You have employed Henry C. Watkins to work for you as bookkeeper for one year beginning May 1 next. Write the contract between yourself and Mr. Watkins.

19.

Write an advertisement for some make of typewriter.

20.

The partnership between yourself and Mr. Merrill is this day dissolved. Write a notice to be sent to the newspapers announcing that fact. Write also the circular letter that would have to be sent to the regular customers of the firm. Assume that you have bought out Mr. Merrill's interest and that all debts are to be paid to or by you

PUNCTUATION

LESSON LXII.

The Comma.

The comma (,) marks the slightest division made in written or printed language to indicate its meaning, and corresponds to the slightest pause which is made in speaking for the same purpose.

There is no mark of punctuation more misused than the comma. If a necessary comma be omitted, an otherwise clear statement becomes ambiguous and misleading. On the other hand, many persons have an idea that a liberal use of punctuation marks indicates that the writer is a refined and educated person and so they ignorantly use commas many times when they are unnecessary.

In the use of other marks of punctuation, we may generally be governed by rules which have few exceptions. There are well-established rules for the use of the comma in certain cases, but in many others we must exercise judgment in determining whether a comma will add to the force or directness of an expression or detract from it. We often hear it said by persons who try to excuse their ignorance of punctuation, that "no two persons punctuate alike." Do any two persons think alike? Do any two persons get just the same ideas out of an article which they both read? The purpose of punctuation is to make clear, and sometimes emphatic, the ideas of the writer.

There are various works on "punctuation without rules," but in examining them we can not avoid forming for ourselves several rules. It is well, therefore, to learn the general rules for punctuating and then take up that part of the work where the individual taste and judgment may be exercised to some extent.

RULE 1. Words, phrases or clauses of a parenthetical or in

termediate nature, introductory words and the nominative absolute with its modifiers, should usually be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

Note. Parenthetical words, phrases or clauses are those which are not really essential to complete the meaning of the sentence. They include explanatory expressions and words used to emphasize the statement. Examples:-I am sure, however, that it will be to your advantage to go. You, too, shall go. It was, as you see, an excellent bargain.

Note. Intermediate words, phrases or clauses are those which, though similar to parenthetical expressions, have some bearing on the thought expressed in the sentence and are placed between some of the essential elements of the sentence. Examples:-Every one who reads or writes English, or any other language, has some knowledge of punctuation. Any one who has formed the habit of accurate reading, even if his reading has been somewhat limited, should be able to punctuate fairly well.

Note. Introductory expressions are independent terms at the beginning of sentences. Examples:-Yes, sir, the work is done. In fact, it was completed yesterday. By the way, what shall I do today?

Note. The nominative absolute is a noun or pronoun, with a participle, whose case depends upon no other word. With this may be mentioned the nominative independent, a noun or pronoun used simply in address. Examples:-The rain having ceased, we started on our journey. The bill having been paid, a receipt was given. Young man, this is the road to success. Plato, thou reasonest well.

Punctuate the following. (Note. All marks of punctuation except commas are inserted.)

1. "Boy don't you want to go to school?"

2. "Good morning little man" said the Major pleasantly.

3. We shall of course expect you to allow us the usual discount.

4. This man as I said before was loved by the poor.

5. No sir I have not.

5. "Take good care of that horse boy."

7. Well here we are.