THE LIBRARY 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
f?Z. 
 
 (CKHAi. ^. OojJiJuir 
 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2007 
 
 http://archive.org/details/completemanualofOOdougiala 
 
A COMPLETE MANUAL 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ^rief §ijstBin dF Jhortfiand 
 
 Arranged for Self-Instruction and for Schools. 
 
 Geo. E. Dougherty, Author. 
 
 TOPEKA. KANSAS. 
 
 1895. 
 
Copyrighted 189^, by Geo. E. Dough ertv, 
 Author and Publisher. 
 

 c 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 None but those who have had experience in this line 
 
 can appreciate the amount of work and care required to 
 
 prepare a Shorthand text book. The author himself did 
 
 not realize what a task it was when he commenced it. A 
 
 considerable portion of the time during the past eight 
 
 months he has devoted to the preparation of this volume. 
 
 Even after the matter had been definitelv arranged, the 
 CO - & 
 
 ^ work of preparing the copy for the engravers and printers, 
 
 and of the revising necessary in order to insure accuracy, 
 
 K was so great that in some cases several days time was 
 
 0^ spent upon a single page. All of the Shorthand plates 
 
 ■^ have been read and re-read carefully a number of times, 
 
 but in spite of the great pains taken to avoid errors, it will 
 
 5? not be surprising if some have still been overlooked. 
 
 ■* It was expected that this book would be ready for deliv- 
 
 ^ ery by March ist, and to the many whose advance orders 
 
 we have had since that time, and before, we desire to offer 
 
 an apology. We have regretted the delay more than any 
 
 P one else could, but under all the circumstances it has been 
 
 p unavoidable. 
 
 It was first intended to issue the first half of the book 
 earlier, as Part One, the complete volume to be issued as 
 soon thereafter as possible. We believe that all will 
 approve of our final decision to issue only one book, and 
 make that cover the whole ground, although smaller in size 
 
 448444 
 
4 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 than originally planned. Supplemental Shorthand reading 
 exercises, which we had intended to include in the book, 
 will be published in our monthly journal, Shorthand for 
 Everybody, which will be found of great value to every 
 student, and none the less so to advanced writers, of the 
 Brief System. 
 
 Most of the sentences and longer selections contained in 
 the Shorthand pages of this book have been borrowed from 
 various sources, being selected with reference to the Short- 
 hand outlines they afford. In many cases it is not practi- 
 cable to give definite credit, and in this general way we 
 desire to acknowledge our indebtedness for such selections. 
 
 Topeka, July ist, 1895. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The author, when a schoolboy of twelve, first became 
 interested in Shorthand, and at that time amused himself 
 and boy friends by preparing a system, using a character 
 for each of the ordinary alphabetic characters, and spell- 
 ing according to the ordinary orthography. In after years 
 he came in contact with various systems of "the winged 
 art," making more or less a study of them. It was not, 
 however, until after the preparatory training of twelve 
 years experience in journalism that he set out with the 
 definite object of becoming a practical stenographer. 
 Taking up the Graham system, he at the same time made a 
 general study of Shorthand, adopted Benn Pitman modi- 
 fications, later changed to the Pernin, seeing very readily 
 the wonderful advantages presented in its simplicity and 
 its connective vowel feature. In learning Pernin, however _ 
 he made many modifications of his own, in the direction of 
 simplicity and brevity, so that the system as he wrote it in 
 actual work was not the Pernin as its author writes it. 
 
 One morning, between regular dictations, he jolted down 
 an alphabet — without any special pains or previous thought, 
 except in regard to the letter S, with which he headed the 
 list ; it was done, too, without really a thought of starting 
 a new system, until the surprising results of experiments 
 with the alphabet thus obtained revealed its possibilities. 
 Only four changes have ever been juade from this original 
 alphabet, and the most exhaustive and careful experiment- 
 ing has only the more fully proven its merit. 
 
 In 1891 the author dropped the Pernin entirely and has 
 used his own system exclusively ever since. Early in 1892 
 he had his production copyrighted under its present name. 
 
6 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Later in the year he issued what was intended as the 
 manual of the system ; but he was not satisfied with its 
 arrangement, and only a fe*^ copies were sold. In 1893 the 
 Chart, containing all the principles of the system, was 
 issued. The author did some teaching by individual in- 
 struction, but aside from this did scarcely anything to 
 introduce the system until the beginning of 1894, when, in 
 order to accommodate the number who desired to take up 
 the study of this system — having learned of it from those 
 who had studied it — he started an evening class. By May 
 1st of that year the venture had so developed that he was 
 obliged to resign his stenographic position and start a day 
 school. Since that time he has devoted his entire attention 
 to the school and the introduction of his system. His suc- 
 cess has indeed been gratifying, and the merits of the sys- 
 tem abundantly proven in the work of his pupils. 
 
 This text book is the outgrowth of the Author's exper- 
 ience in teaching the system. Continually on the lookout 
 for new ideas, it is not surprising that he has arranged this 
 book upon an entirely different plan from that first de- 
 signed. And it is confidently believed that the student of 
 the volume will readily appreciate its admirable arrange- 
 ment for the attainment of the best results in the most 
 satisfactory manner. 
 
 There are systems and systems of Shorthand ; there are 
 also "standard" systems, standard for the same reason that 
 locomotion by horse power is "standard" — because they 
 have been used for years and years. But as steam and 
 electricity are superseding horse power, so surely must 
 improved methods of Shorthand supersede these "standard," 
 but behind-the-times, systems. Of late years a number of 
 systems intended to meet the popular demand have been 
 invented. Most of them have excellent features, but 
 nearly all retain the most objectionable feature of the old 
 systems— the use of certain positions, above, on or below 
 the line, to indicate certain sounds. We are not foolish 
 enough to follow the example of some old-system authors 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 7 
 
 and advocates, and claim that Shorthand is now perfected, 
 in our System. But we do claim that the Brief System 
 possesses at least a number of features essential to the pro- 
 duction of the ideal system. 
 
 The ideal system must be based on the use of a distinct, 
 single stroke, connectible character for each and every 
 sound, vowel as well as consonant ; so that outlines may 
 be written absolutely without reference to position, as in 
 longhand. Several systems — the most notable of which 
 in this country is the Pernin — are so constructed. But the 
 alphabetic characters in these systems are such as to make 
 awkward joinings. The alphabet of the Brief System is so 
 arranged that the characters combine much more smoothly, 
 are more easily written, and afford a great saving in the 
 number of angles and strokes, so that the outlines are much 
 briefer, while they possess a degree of legibility equal to 
 that of any other system. 
 
 Then, too, the ideal system must approach as nearly as 
 possible in simplicity to that of longhand. The fact that 
 eight pages of this text book are sufficient to present all 
 the principles, wordsigns, etc., so fully explained as to 
 answer almost every question which might arise in the 
 mind of any student, will suffice to show that the Brief 
 System possesses this requirement in a remarkable degree. 
 Moreover, we believe that principles (i) to (ii), or even (i) 
 to (9), with a part of (10), would be ample to give a per- 
 fectly practicable degree of speed in writing, although the 
 length of outlines would be greater, of course, than by the 
 use of all the principles. 
 
 Each of the ordinary longhand characters requires from 
 three to seven strokes. If each letter could be written 
 with one stroke, the outlines would be probably five times 
 as brief, even with the ordinary orthography. Omitting all 
 the silent letters, the outlines would be still further reduced 
 in length. Now, the Brief System of Shorthand has a dis- 
 tinct, connectible and one-stroke character for each and 
 every essential sound, vowel as well as consonant. Thus, 
 
8 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 the Brief alphabet alone — affording equally as great a 
 degree of simplicity as that of longhand— gives five times 
 as brief outlines as longhand. The succeeding principles 
 of the system are to secure still greater brevity of outline. 
 
 If it be asked why so many principles are used, 
 when we believe them to be unnecessary, we say: 
 The idea that the efficiency of a Shorthand system is in 
 proportion to the brevity of its outlines, had such a 
 hold upon the minds of the psople generally, including the 
 profession, that we were obliged to produce brief outlines, 
 first of all, in order to even gain attention ; the over- 
 coming of prejudices and erroneous ideas to be done 
 afterwards, by degrees. The fact is, however, that what is 
 requisite for easy, rapid writing is not nearly so much the 
 shortening of the written outlines, as it is the reducing to 
 a minimum the mental effort required in writing— the 
 transferring of the work, as far as possible, from the brain 
 to the hand— and this can be done only by simplifying the 
 system. 
 
 Our experience in teaching has demonstrated that the 
 best way to learn Shorthand is to first familiarize one's self 
 with the characters by reading them in words. Accord- 
 ingly we have so arranged the Shorthand reading exercises 
 as to introduce the alphabetic characters and succeeding 
 principles of the system gradually and easily. The complete 
 key to the Shorthand matter, in the last part of the book, will 
 enable the pupil to prove his work, making sure that he is 
 right, so far as the exercises contained in the book are con- 
 cerned. With the chapter of "Suggestions to Students," the 
 eight pages of principles, so fully explained, the fifty-seven 
 pages of Shorthand reading exercises and the key to the 
 same, we are confident that the pupil, either with or 
 without instruction, will find this book admirably adapted 
 to his needs. 
 
SUGGESTIONS TO STUDENTS. 
 
 (i) All the principles, as presented on pages 17 to 24, 
 are numbered, and the explanatory notes lettered, in paren- 
 theses, and reference to them is thus made in other parts of 
 the book. 
 
 (2) First read carefully the Introduction and Princi- 
 ples (i), (2) and (3), with the explanatory notes thereon, 
 found on pages 17 to ig, inclusive. Then turn to the Short- 
 hand Exercises on page 25 and read same, referring to the 
 alphabetic characters as may be necessary. For the sake 
 of proving your work, you may refer to the Key on page 
 82. Read the first two pages of Shorthand several times 
 before going to the next one, and so on with the following 
 pages. 
 
 (3) Refer frequently to the principles, so as to make 
 sure that you fully understand everything as you proceed. 
 
 (4) Be careful not to memorize outlines as arbitrary 
 outlines for words; but, in reading, notice the characters 
 which compose a word, thus learning to readily recognize 
 the alphabetic characters, and as readily think of the 
 sounds represented by them. In most systems the outlines 
 are required to be memorized. With the Brief System the 
 student is merely drilled in representing the sounds by cer- 
 tain signs, and in combining these signs in the formation of 
 words; this is the chief reason for the simplicity of this 
 system. 
 
 (5) At first confine your writing practice to the sepa- 
 rate alphabetic characters. Write one character carefully 
 many times, endeavoring to make the strokes uniform in 
 size and shape. Then take another letter in the same way. 
 Do all the practice of this kind possible. The more read- 
 
10 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 ily you can write letters alone, the more readily you will 
 write them in words. 
 
 (6) When you have familiarized yourself with the 
 Shorthand characters and their use in words, by reading and 
 re-reading the Shorthand exercises to and including page 
 48 until you can read them as readily as longhand, take 
 pages 37 to 48, one at a time, copying the Shorthand sev- 
 eral times, carefully. Next, turn to the key of the same 
 and write without referring to the Shorthand matter. After 
 writing the exercises of each page in this way, compare 
 carefully with the engraved outlines of the same, makmg 
 the necessary corrections in your notes. Write these pages 
 a number of times from the key, comparing each time. 
 Then read and write pages 49 to 54, inclusive, in the same 
 manner as before; after which take pages 55 to 62 inclusive 
 in the same way. Next, take pages 63 to 65 inclusive; do 
 not leave these until you can read and write the words con- 
 tained therein with readiness and accuracy. The story on 
 pages 67 to 69 inclusive contains examples of every princi- 
 ple in the system, as well as all the wordsigns, and this 
 should be taken as before directed, and written at least one 
 hundred times. The business letters and other matter con- 
 tained in the succeeding pages should be handled in the 
 same manner. 
 
 (7) The beginner, as a rule, more readily distinguishes 
 the alphabetic characters if written large; hence in the 
 eight pages of principles and the first twenty-four pages of 
 Shorthand exercises, the characters are larger than they 
 should ordinarily be written, 
 
 (8) Characters should not be written larger than shown 
 in the Shorthand exercises on pages 49 to 81. Small out- 
 lines, closely written, afford much greater speed than 
 large, scattered notes. 
 
 (9) Use a pencil in learning, rather than a pen. The 
 best pencils we have found are the Rockwell & Rupel, 
 (Chicago), No. 2, and the "Stenographer SM," made by 
 Dixon Crucible Co., Jersey City, N. J., which may be pro- 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. u 
 
 cured from most dealers. The former is hexagonal in 
 shape, while the latter is round. Persons who are inclined 
 to write heavy lines will find No. i of the first named pen- 
 cil, and the "M" grade of the "Stenographer," better 
 adapted to their use. These pencils are made of tougher 
 lead than ordinary pencils, and are much better adapted to 
 Shorthand work. 
 
 (10) Do not sharpen a pencil to a point. Cut off the 
 wood, leaving the lead intact. A little practice will enable 
 you to make just as fine lines as with a point, by turning the 
 pencil around occasionally, to get a new edge. The ad- 
 vantages of this plan are several: The pencil will last 
 several times as long; no bother of point breaking off; 
 makes shading easier; requires much less frequent sharp- 
 enmg; no soiling of fingers in sharpening. 
 
 (11) Ease of writing depends much upon the writing 
 materials — the kind of paper as well as pencil. Paper with 
 a somewhat rough surface is better for pencil. 
 
 (12) Use ruled paper in beginning to write. Make all 
 half length strokes the same height, and all full length 
 characters the same height, above the line you are writing 
 on. This will help you make the strokes the right propor- 
 tionate size and shape. Lines are no more necessary to 
 write on, however, in the Brief System than in longhand. 
 
 (13) Note the diagram on page 17, showing the pro- 
 portionate sizes and shapes of characters. We have prac- 
 tice paper for learners, specially ruled in squares, as indi- 
 cated by dotted lines in that diagram. This special paper 
 is of great advantage in learning to write the characters 
 correctly. The paper is put up in fifteen and twenty-five 
 cent books, which arc sent postpaid at these prices. 
 
 (14) If you are in the habit of pressing heavily on the 
 pencil in writing, break yourself of the habit. You can 
 write much more easily by holding the pencil lightly. 
 
 (15) In writing, do not try to remember how you wrote 
 a word before. Learn instead to readily recognize the 
 sounds of words, and as readily think of the characters for 
 
12 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 those sounds. The more readily you can do this, the 
 greater will be your speed in writing. 
 
 (i6) Do not raise the pencil in the middle of words, 
 and do not hesitate between strokes that are joined, but 
 write them with a continuous motion of the pencil. Care- 
 fully avoid these habits. In learning, if compelled to hesi- 
 tate in the middle of a word, keep the pencil on the paper 
 until the complete outline is formed. 
 
 (17) While learning, either Shorthand or typewriting, 
 do not entertain a thought of speed. Lose sight of every- 
 thing but accuracy. Do not be influenced by what others 
 may say to you about speed. Many a person, because of 
 his anxiety to "get speed," forms habits of carelessness in 
 writing which greatly handicap him in his future work. 
 Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon the importance 
 of observing accuracy while learning to write. Never mind 
 speed — it will surely come if you do enough of careful, 
 accurate practice; and the speed obtained in this way will 
 not be at the expense of legibility, as is so often the case 
 otherwise. Remember, speed in writing, without ability to 
 read what you write, is worth nothing. 
 
 (18) Make it a strict rule to read everything you write, 
 every time you write it. This will give you a necessary fa- 
 miliarity with your notes, and will enable you to note incor- 
 rect outlines, and thereafter avoid them. Rewrite incorrect 
 outlines until thoroughly learned. 
 
 (19) As stated in principle (15), on page 23, there is 
 great advantage in judicious phrasing or combining of 
 words in writing. In the Brief System, phrasing is, with 
 the exception of a few arbitrary but self-suggestive phrases, 
 merely the joining of words, without changing their form, 
 just as if words were combined in longhand. Therefore it 
 is not necessary to memorize phrase signs as in systems 
 using vowel position. But a word of caution is necessary. 
 Most students, when beginning to phrase, go to such ex- 
 tremes that they have difficulty in reading their notes. 
 First, avoid awkward joinings; phrase only where outlines 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. i3 
 
 combine smoothly. Second, avoid phrases which run too 
 far above or below the line; the farther from the line, the 
 more time required to get back to it for the next word. 
 Third, avoid joining words which are not grouped together 
 naturally in speaking. Thus, do not write "tell me-to go," 
 but "tell-me to-go." Some can not phrase safely to the ex- 
 tent that others can. Proceed cautiously; commence with 
 a few of the common words; increase your list of phrases 
 gradually, according to your ability to read them. Avoid 
 all phrases which do not prove easy for you to write and 
 read. The phrases on page 66 are not arbitrary, but merely 
 suggestive. All of them may be used with advantage, pro- 
 vided you can learn to use them without hesitation. Nothing 
 is gained by phrasing when outlines can not be made with- 
 out hesitation between words. 
 
 (20) Some persons may go farther in the way of con- 
 tracting outlines than others, because of their greater famil- 
 iarity with phonetic spelling, and their more extended 
 knowledge of language. Do not adopt any outlines which 
 make your notes more difficult for you to read. Legibility 
 is the first consideration ; and it is possible to make the 
 writing, with the Brief System, every bit as legible as long- 
 hand. 
 
 (21) In learning on the typewriter, make it a rule not 
 to erase. Do not get in the habit of depending upon cor- 
 recting your mistakes. Get in the habit of not making 
 mistakes. If you will adhere to the rule to entirely rewrite 
 a page upon which you have made an error, it will help 
 you wonderfully to form the habit of accuracy. 
 
 (22) It is necessary to have a good knowledge of lan- 
 guage and of business terms and methods generally, in 
 order to become a thoroughly competent stenographer. 
 Read general literature, magazines of the day, etc. Keep 
 a note book always with you ; in it make a memorandum of 
 every word you find, with the spelling or meaning of which 
 you are not familiar ; and at your first opportunity study 
 it up in dictionary or cyclopedia. If entering upon the 
 
14 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 duties of your first position as stenographer, make every 
 effort to familiarize yourself with the vocabulary used by 
 your employer. Going through old letter copy books, in 
 the way above suggested, will enable you to quickly make 
 yourself much more useful to your employer. 
 
 (23) One must be a good speller in order to become a 
 really proficient stenographer. If you are deficient in 
 spelling, make that branch a special study. One of the 
 best helps obtainable is the Teachers Edition of Stickney's 
 "Word by Word," published by Ginn & Co., Chicago. This 
 book is admirably adapted to the use of those desiring to 
 combine a study of spelling with that of Shorthand. Con- 
 siderable reading matter is given, to illustrate the meaning 
 of words in the accompanying spelling lessons ; and the 
 lists of words, as well as choice selections from the best 
 authors, afford excellent Shorthand practice, the classifica- 
 tion making them all the more suitable for such purpose. 
 We have used the book in our Shorthand classes ; and our 
 experience warrants us in thus recommending it. 
 
 (24) A knowledge of punctuation, composition and 
 grammatical construction is an essential to the best work 
 as a stenographer. Treatises upon these subjects may be 
 found in ordinary school books, and it is not deemed neces- 
 sary or advisable to attempt to treat them in this work. 
 
 (25) Read as many Shorthand journals as you can, 
 giving preference, of course, to that which represents the 
 system you write. Shorthand for Everybody is the journal 
 of the Brief System, and its aim is "to encourage a more 
 general use of Shorthand by introducing up-to-date 
 methods." It publishes much that will be helpful to all 
 students and writers of the system. 
 
 (26) Train yourself to remember what you hear ; this 
 can be done by practice ; in listening to a speaker, repeat 
 after him, mentally, all he says, beginning with a few words 
 at a time, and gradually increasing the number. The 
 ability to remember twenty-five to thirty words, after they 
 have been spoken, will wonderfully increase your speed in 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. i5 
 
 reporting, by giving you such confidence that you will not 
 easily become flustrated, and by enabling you to catch up 
 with a speaker during pauses, when he gets ahead of you. 
 
 (27) After the student has mastered the principles of 
 the system, and the exercises contained in this book, he 
 will find a book of business letters and forms a great help 
 in further practice. By far the best dictation book we have 
 found is "Brown's Business Correspondence and Manual 
 of Dictation," published by the Excelsior Publishing House, 
 New York. It contains a very large selection of business 
 letters and legal forms of all kinds, literary selections, 
 chapters on punctuation, proper forms in letter writing, 
 abbreviations, an extensive spelling list, hints to students 
 in Shorthand and Typewriting, and much else of value, 
 making in all a volume of 350 pages. 
 
 (28) Write all notes for reference in Shorthand. Once 
 form the habit of doing this, and it will enable you to save 
 much that you would otherwise lose, and you can make 
 memoranda in so much less space, and so much more 
 quickly. Besides, it will give you confidence in writing, 
 and familiarity with your notes. You will be surprised, too, 
 to see how much use you can make of Shorthand in this 
 way. 
 
 (29) There is great advantage in several studying to- 
 gether. Different persons have their special difficulty at 
 different points, and therefore they can help one another. 
 Then, too, such study incites interest and emulation. 
 
 (30) There is great advantage in reading others' notes. 
 It gives one even greater familiarity with Shorthand writ- 
 ing to read the notes of various other writers than to con- 
 fine his reading to his own writing, and he will read his own 
 notes better for such practice. Besides, it may be worth 
 something to him sometime to be able to read readily the 
 writing of others. Exchange books frequently with fel- 
 low students, and read much from their notes. Also cor- 
 respond with persons as far along with the study as you 
 are. If possible, read actual work of writers of the system. 
 
i6 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 (31) Learn to turn the leaves of your note book with- 
 out loss of time in writing. This can be done by holding 
 the leaf with the thumb and fore finger of the left hand, 
 moving it up gradually as you write, and turning instantly 
 when the bottom of the page is reached. 
 
 (32) In writing, make all angles distinct. Where it is 
 necessary to make angles, it is easier to make them as 
 sharp as possible, and they will also be more legible when 
 so written. There is a tendency on the part of students to 
 round off all corners, and in this way outlines are often 
 made quite different in shape from what they should be, 
 thus tending to illegibility. 
 
 (33) Writing on narrow pages, or in narrow columns, 
 will help to make small, closely written outlines; and as the 
 hand will remain more nearly in the same position than in 
 writing across a wide page, the writing will be done more 
 easily. 
 
 (34) After practicing on the exercises contained in this 
 book until you can write them at the rate of one hundred 
 words per minute, you may take up outside matter. Select 
 an article or letter; write it in Shorthand carefully; read it 
 over, noticing mistakes; write it again carefully a few times; 
 then have some one read it to you a number of times, a 
 little faster each time, until you can write it at the rate of 
 one hundred words a minute. Then take another selection 
 in the same way. When you can average one hundred 
 words a minute on new matter, try reporting speeches. In 
 doing this, be sure to take/«//5^«/^«<:^5 — not merely parts 
 of sentences, a jumbled mass of words making no sense. 
 Let all you write be in such shape that it can be easily 
 read. By persistently following this plan, keeping ever in 
 mind the importance of thoroughness and accuracy, you 
 will succeed. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 THE PRINCIPLES. 
 
 (I) THE ALPHABET. 
 
 a"* as in Ate, Aid, Eight, Say, JT as in Jew, G«nius, Waje, 
 
 Bey. ly "J Suggest. 
 
 Vi as in At, Had, Am. pi* as in Choose, Which. 
 
 I 'a as in Erie, Eat, Eel, Peed, y^JT as in King, Cat, Chasm, 
 I C Receive, Yet, Yacht. ' i P'Ck, Plaque. 
 
 _. A as in Edit, Men, Any. J T as in Law, Well. 
 
 / T as in Ida, Bite, Fight, lAt, \. M as in Mow, Him, Pro- 
 ' i Try, Sleight. ^ * * gramme. Hammer. 
 
 ^ Y as in It, Dim, Merry. >/ IV *^ '" ^°> Know, When, 
 / 1 A' Pneumonia, Gnat. 
 
 Ort as in Old, Own, Owe, Beau, \Nfi ^^ '" Song, Wrong, 
 
 U- Oh, Hoe, Mow, Though. Y' ** Angry, Language. 
 
 y as in Hot, Dog, F-'oHy. Vx P 3.&in Pit, Prop, Asp. 
 
 ^MT "S in Awl, AH, Anght^ /li as in Row, Roar, Her. 
 aw Ought, Raw. / *v 
 
 ^11 as in Use, Cuhe, Ewe, YOU, /- C as in So, Cease, Rice, IS, 
 (y U Mew. *- "^ Zeal, Asthma, Psyche. 
 
 \ll as in Up, Mud, Other. «. QVl '*^^ '" Shadow, Pshaw, 
 
 U J Oil Ash, Leisure, Azure. 
 
 In as in But, Hub. y^ T "s in Tell, Phthisic, Let, 
 
 O /I Quartette. 
 
 T\ as in Do, Woul4. * V as in Very, Have. 
 
 ^t; as in For, Pife, Philosophy, fll/ as in Win, Why. 
 
 r Tariff, Rough. — 
 
 /P as in Good, Big, Intrignc. \t\t\ -^^ '" Ooze, Food, Book, 
 
 U (Wl Do, Rude, Assume. 
 
 II as in Hat, Whole. z' V as in Ax, Extra. 
 
 The following shows their proportionate size and shape : 
 
 
i8 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 (a) With the exception of the dots and circles, there 
 are two sizes of alphabetic characters, called "half length" 
 and "full length" characters, the latter being twice as 
 high as the former. All half lengths are the same height, 
 and all full lengths are the same height, though the actual 
 length of sorpe strokes is greater than that of others of 
 the same height, on account of their greater slant or curve. 
 
 (b) Short "a" is as small a circle as can be plainly 
 written; short "o" is the same size as the half length 
 strokes; and long " o " is enough larger to be readily dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 (c) The circles and long "u" are written down towards 
 the right, commencing at the top. 
 
 (d) Long "a" dot is written with the same movement 
 of the pencil as in writing a circle. 
 
 (e) Long "a" dot is always joined to other characters, 
 except in the words "a" and "hay;" "H" dot is never 
 joined 
 
 (f ) H may generally be omitted. 
 
 (g) Long " u," where combined with other letters, is 
 written in the most convenient position. 
 
 ( h) T, R, K and N are the only alphabetic characters 
 written upwards. 
 
 (i) Up strokes slant more than down strokes ot simi- 
 lar shape. 
 
 ( j) S and Sh are small half circles; S may be written 
 as a hook, in any position to avoid angles, but when ju^ 
 as convenient is written open to the right (C)- Sh is 
 written down and open to the left ( 3). 
 
 (k) Long "e" is often used for short "i," when more 
 convenient. 
 
 (I) Long "e" is used for the sound of Y in "yet,** 
 "yacht," etc. 
 
 (m) S is used for soft sound of C, and K for the hard 
 sound. 
 
 (n) Kw is used for sound of " qu." 
 
BRIE-F SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. i' 
 
 (o) Long "e" may be indicated, where more conven- 
 ient, by beginning the following stroke back from the 
 end of the stroke which precedes "e."- Called "Retrace 
 e." Thus :^/\. teem. 
 
 (p) Long "i"" maybe indicated, where more conven- 
 ient, by beginning the following stroke deyond the end of 
 the stroke which precedes "i," and writing so that it 
 touches the end of the preceding sign. Called "Retrace 
 I." Thusj^„x\ time. 
 
 (q) Diphthongs: o-oo { q- ) for ow, as in cow, house, 
 Aw-T ( /^ ) or aw-e ( C] )— as more convenient — for oi, 
 as in oil, boy. 
 
 2) COHBININQ. 
 
 Alphabetic characters are combined in the simplest 
 possible manner to form words, being written and joined 
 in their regular order, and in the most convenient way, 
 only actual sounds being written. The same sounds are 
 always written in the same way, regardless of ordinary 
 spelling. Ihus, the sounds of "o" in old, "oa" in oar, "oo" 
 in door, "eau" in beau, "oe" in foe, and "ough" in though, 
 are all exactly the same, and are all written long "o" in 
 •Shorthand. 
 
 (r) For the sake of convenience and neatness result- 
 ing from uniformity of outline, let the first stroke of a 
 word or phrase, as a rule, resi on the line. 
 
 (s) As far as possible write all strokes so that the mo- 
 tion of the pencil will be continually towards the right. 
 
 (3)/ PUNCTUATION MARKS. 
 
 Period Xor/ . Interrogation point: /or as in long- 
 hand. Dash /)r underscore, wave line:/— ^r Semicolon, 
 as in longhand, or may be indicated/by leaving extra 
 space between words. Other marks as in longhand. 
 End of paragra/f)h/iia;y'^ /Indicated by an additional 
 /o«^ period :X/ or// or// ; proper name by two dots 
 ( „ ) under wytd.^ ^ 
 
o BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 (4) VOWELS OMITTED. 
 
 Short e, i, u, and similar sounds are usually omitted 
 in the middle of words. 
 
 (5) DOUBLING. 
 
 Doubling the length of a stroke adds T or D to the 
 letter lengthened. 
 
 (6) TREBLING. 
 
 Trebling the length of a letter adds L. 
 
 (t) Except in a few familiar words, the half length 
 strokes— W excepted — are not lengthened. 
 
 (u) A double length down stroke at the beginning of 
 a word should rest on the line, same as a single length; 
 treble length down strokes should begin at same height 
 as double lengths, and run through the line. 
 
 (7) SHADING. 
 
 Shading a character adds R, in which case the R al- 
 ■way^ follows all the other letters contained in the shaded 
 stroke. 
 
 (V) Any character, except a dot, may be shaded; but 
 the stroke R should be used where more convenient. 
 
 (8) NUMERALS. 
 
 Ordinary figures are used for numerals, except for the 
 .word "one" where it occurs alone. First, second, twenti- 
 eth, etc., are indicated by writing a horizontal line under 
 the figure: i 2, 22. 
 
 (9) ABBREVIATIONS. . 
 
 Use ordinary abbreviations, such as: Mr.,\ : R. R.,/; 
 
 use ordmary aboreviations, su 
 Mo., \ ; amtvs. ; abt., | ; Sept., 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 (lO) WORDSIGNS. 
 
 A wordsign is analphabetic character, or combitiation 
 of alphabetic characters, not a complete word, which is 
 used arbitrarily for a certain word. Many of the follow- 
 ing list are so self-suggestive that they need scarcely be 
 regarded as wordsigns. 
 
 Any, ^ 
 As, o 
 
 At, o 
 
 aaX cS'-x— ••) 
 
12 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 (II) VOWEL COMBINATIONS. 
 
 ^ en, as in Men. Written down. 
 
 ^ m, as in Win. Written down. 
 
 /^ jm, as in Dim. Written down. 
 
 "^ ^m, as in Them. Written down. 
 
 \ un, as in Dun. Written down. 
 
 \ on, as in John. Written down. 
 
 ^ an, as in Man. Written up. 
 /^ om, as in Bomb. Written up. 
 /^ um, as in Dumb. Written up. 
 I Tm, as in Time. Written up. 
 
 (la) FINAL VOWEL COMBINATIONS. 
 
 At the ends of words • (a) may be used for the sound 
 of am, as in claim; o(a) for an, as in pain; i (e) for eh, as 
 in clean; /fT) forTn, as in fine;0(^) ^^^ ^n, as in loan; 
 O (aw) for awn, as in dawn; ^ (u) for un, as in June; 
 — (oo) for pom, as in assume; andQ- (o-oo) for oun, as 
 fn down . 
 
 (13) "INO" POSITION. 
 
 "Ing" may be indicated by beginfltng \.\\t sign which 
 follows "ing" directly under and close to the end of the 
 sign which precedes " ing." Doing what: ^''^ O 
 
 (w) When more convenient, a dot may be written in 
 the "ing" position. At the end of a sentence write punc- 
 tuation mark in position. 
 
 (14) "CAN" POSITION. 
 
 The syllable "can" may be mdicated by writing the 
 sign which follows "can ' through the sign whiehprecedes 
 "can." I can do: yh^ Mercantile: 
 
 (x) When more convenient, a short stroke may be 
 used instead of the preceding or following sign. At the 
 end of a sentence the punctuation mark may be Xvrit- 
 ten in the "can" position. Candy: ^<^ We can. "Tf 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 23 
 
 (15) PHRASING. 
 
 Judicious combining of words in writing is advanta- 
 geous, as the raising of the pencil from the paper between 
 two words is practically the same as waiting one stroke 
 on paper. 
 
 (y) As a rule only such words as are grouped together 
 naturally in speaking should be combined in writing. 
 
 (2) Owing to the completeness of outlines in the Brief 
 System of Shorthand, letters, syllables and even words 
 may often be omitted, the sense of the sentence supply- 
 ing the omission. 
 
 (A) The repetition of a word to form a familiar phrase, 
 such as "from time to time." may be indicated by writing 
 the word which follows the phrase, or a dot, if more con- 
 venient, above and close to the end oi the word which is 
 repeated. 
 
 (B) In phrases long "i" may be used for the word my, 
 short "a" for have; "aw" for how; "Tm" for "time" or "I 
 am;" "dm" for "some;" "St" for "that;" "an" for "than;" 
 —the last three not to be used at the beginning of phrases. 
 
 (C) Arbitrary phrase signs: Dear Sir; •^ — :> ; My dear 
 Sir: \^ — ^^ ; Yours truly: y^ ; Yours very truly: ,^^\ 
 Dear Madam :'^^~X; Yours respectfully: f/\ \ by re- 
 turn mail: \y\ \ Dy early mail: I ; by an early 
 mail: 1 >. , isvt: 1/ ; was it: /I \ ; in the mean- 
 time: 
 
 ^D) "Ing" position may be used for the syllable "thing." 
 
 (E) One curved stroke under a group of proper names 
 mav take the place of two dots under each word. 
 
 (F) "Un" may be used for "hundred," "ous" for "thou- 
 sand," "mil" for "million." ^ 
 
 (Q) T and D may generally be omitted after M and N. 
 at end of words. 
 
24 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 (i6) PREFIXES. 
 
 Com, con, coun, cog, " ^ "following sign beginning \\xst 
 below and in line with prefix. Command : \^ Con- 
 
 . [)mmaijc 
 dition:^>-^ Counsel: O Cognizant: ^^ 
 
 Contra, contri, contro, counter, " \ " — written s£ 
 "Con," but twice as long. Contradict: \^ 
 trive: \ Control: \ Counferact:\ 
 
 Pro, per, pru, " / " — following sign beginning just below 
 and in line with prefix. Propose: i Porter: ^^ 
 
 Prudent: 
 
 / 
 
 ^ 
 
 Impro, impor, impru, " ' "—combination "Tm" in "pro" 
 
 position. Important: C^'^~^ 
 <Tol, " ' " — above and at left of begintting of following 
 
 sign. Collect: \ /^ 
 Cor, " "^ — above and at right of beginning oi following 
 
 sign. Correct: U"'''^ 
 Trans, " — " — followmg sign begmning under middle of 
 
 prefix. Transfer: ^^ i 
 
 Pre, " \^" — "Pr" joined to following sign. Prepare: (^^ 
 Inter, \x\\r\,''^ "-double length N joine^Kt) following 
 
 sign. \nXtrtsi\y\ Intricate: 
 Under, " \ " — combination "un" johied to following sign. 
 
 Understand: /* 
 
 (17) AFFIXES. 
 Shun, ashun, " " — Sh, joined, \ision: J Gre- 
 
 cian: / Constellation: \ ^^^--""^ 
 
 Ly, ingly, "/^ "—Short i, joinetl. Only: \ 
 ingly: y ^^ 
 
 Graph,"/ "—G, joined. Telegraph: ^ — 
 
 Tive, ative, "y "—V, joined. Motive: NQl^elative:. 
 
 Ward,"- — " — WD, joined. Forward: ^ 
 
 Ty, " I "--Long e, joined. Party: \^Vicinitv: U 
 
 Ment. " \ "— M, joined- Paymentr ( ' 
 
 Will- 
 
 \ 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 READING EXERCISES. 
 
26 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 ;(!./' U ^— ' '^ A- 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 2 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 /V///^-^ /j. 
 
 
 \ 
 
 . ^c^ 
 
 ^^^:^ 
 
 "[/ •!— N 
 
 •I -l/ 
 
 
 L.4^ 
 v.^- 
 
30 . BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Retrace S: 
 
 
 V 
 
 -^^7 7 7 \ 
 
 R.tr«. I: ^i^ L > \/ V V 
 
 V^ ^^ /\ Xl y^/'X^^ 
 o ^^ 9- /. 
 
 
 /^^ A-x^ ^o^ 
 
 V\' 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
32 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 >v 
 
 
 7 
 
 \'i 
 
 '^h^. 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 K/ SJ s/ 
 
 ^ r \ 
 
 
 
 y /^^ ^ 
 
 ^i' Ve 
 
 
34 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 H 
 
e 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 '^ 
 
 
 l^^\. 
 
36 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 eji^U omitted in midxlle of ^ords. 
 
 ^t^r^f^^/Y 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 37 
 
 Doubling ^ds Tor D. 
 
 i/\y_.A 
 
 
 
 448444 
 
38 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Trebling adds L. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 39 
 
 Shading adds R. J y^l^i^XS^ 
 
 x*'>c X>j /^, •. ^ /• i/^ 
 
 fc^c ^ V^\ -^ /^ X e> 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHOKTHAND. 
 
 INTRODUCING PRINCIPLE (lo). 
 
 i-V-> 
 
 O v_4^ Y • 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 ^?- ■ ■ ■ ' ■ 
 
 .//X^^./^ 
 
 <T 
 
 ^^ ^ 
 
 
 V — ::^ Vn / '^ ^^^ 
 
 /'":).\-x 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 /- V, 
 
 
 •<r 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 43 
 
 i^^jyy^oY^ 
 
 
 •'X 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 JD ^^ ^ 
 
 f U , 4 
 
 .x\yvo 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 
 .\/yi\ x^ry, r.^//^ 
 
 O D y "I C 
 
 --/*V 
 
 A I 
 
 A- 
 
 •le^^/V .? 
 
46 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 -r- 
 
 .r 
 
 ^<T- 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 /I _: \ O \j u y^ ^ / C (( V . / 
 
 <^y^. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 
 "^K^^^'^^^^ 
 
48 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 o-^xOv 
 
 6 
 
 KC;^:;^^^! 
 
 
 
 ^ X 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 49 
 
 INTRODUCING PRINCIPLE (ii). 
 
 an:^ \j ^^\^ r^\y _yf\, ^ yx^ 
 
 o^/^ /^^^ L; 
 
 '^ 
 
 .V v,^ 
 
 o?^ >- 
 
 e 
 
 c 
 
 in 
 
 \. v^ ^. 
 
 y \y' — ^ 
 
 <r 
 
 ^\.^ 
 
 U^ 
 
 y 
 
 ^/^. /^^^y^-- 
 
 ^^^ ^ 
 
 
50 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND, 
 
 or ^ 
 
 ^ "11 
 
 cr~ 
 
 dn: \ (-xA ( ^ 
 
 Ai 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 J // . ^ (f) 
 
 / 
 
 X I 
 
 
 ^^•^-^y i^^-^^vo-v 
 
 ^ 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 
 /'s ^Z" 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^Jf 
 
 J> 
 
 ^ 
 
 o ^ ^x 
 
 
 /^•">\--^^ 
 
 -^^ 
 
 / 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 c_ 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 V/ o 4^^ . .//^o /^/o c/ 
 
 V ^^ 
 
 /^, 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 "A.- 
 
 ^ 
 
 "^ 
 
 V. o 
 
 rj) 
 
 o '^v ^ 
 
 /^ 
 
 "S' 
 
 7^ 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 v> 
 
 V 
 
 ^''X. 
 
 
/1 1 ^/ 
 
 <bnyo ^ 
 
 en 
 
 Vs 
 
 V/^ 
 
 ^yj\ ^/y/' ^--^j-^ 
 
 ^ X J 
 
 J r // 
 
 
 /O o /^^ 
 
 "] 
 
 ^i_^ 
 
 
56 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 A/ 
 
 Q-^ 
 
 V 1^ ^ 
 
 )/■ 
 
 e.. 
 
 y" 
 
 y 
 
 / 
 
 
 . /'/.^ 
 
 O \j 
 
 
 D 
 
 O y^ ^ G ^ 
 
 \^/' 
 
 1/ 
 
 
 \. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND, 
 
 C/3)an(lC/^) 
 
 71 
 
 g&^ 
 
 A y- 
 
 
 ^-^/--y 
 
 
 
58 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 . \y o 
 
 './ 
 
 ^ 
 
 A 
 
 J<^ 
 
 ' " -A ^^^ 
 
 A 
 
 ^\ I ^ 
 
 J c 
 
 en ■-•■-■- ~j en 
 
 
 
 ^^\lf.9./rKj.^ 
 
 ^ J 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 /•^ . 
 
 n \^ 
 
 ^^. / 
 
 ^Z- /^^^o/ 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 59 
 
 INTRODUCING PHRASING. 
 
 L 
 
 / 
 
 L 
 
 y 
 
 I 
 
 _D 
 
 \?A 
 
 Q_ 
 
 
 y .y ^ 
 
 n 
 
 V.^^ C/o .^, 
 
 'j 
 
 
 -/ ^5r"^ 
 
 / 
 
 J> 
 
 . c_ r'^ ry'\ K. ^ X 
 
 \ vy 
 
 -1, 
 
 p ^i. yy 
 
 
 ^ '^ -7 
 
6o 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 „^; ^ ^x' Ij/ -^ -^ '^rs 
 
 r^y-^ 
 
 ^^/ 
 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 6i 
 
 5^. 
 
 \.y^\ 
 
 V7 
 
 ~v. 
 
 
 -\ 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 a»x 
 
 "^-o^^, 
 
 
 n 
 
 > 
 
 
 n 
 
 V 
 
 <<_,_/ k / V 
 
6k 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 /_5^ 
 
 I' 
 
 ' "2k 
 
 A /^ I -a Y 
 
 "^y 
 -^/v 
 
 9- o 
 
 '<f^ 
 
 c" 
 
 ^0 0— 
 
 (J— 
 
 ■/'C?. 
 
 ^./>^.J> 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 63 
 
 INTRODUCINQ PREFIXES AND AFFIXES. 
 
 nn\\V\\v. vvwv 
 
 V > \ >^ N 
 
 
 I t I / 
 
 *^ // > :^ >i <^ 
 
 r 
 
 -■"v 
 
64 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 'A^i^: 
 
 ^/S 
 
 
 C,{ V A -^ 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 6^ 
 
 f A v/^ — '^.^ C 
 
 
 \ 
 
 -^ 
 
 V 
 
66 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 SUGGESTIVE PHRASES. 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 O' 
 
 c7~^ 
 
 ■-0/ 
 
 ^O e.^. ^/U^.^'.,5^^^/^ 
 
 ■4. o^ 
 
 "V--. 
 
 yj^ y\^ (i/l (f. <f^.^ 
 
 k K^ 
 
 V H V 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^-Q. ^ 
 
 .^?^ 
 
 \y 
 
 
 -77 ^^ Z^^'^., 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 67 
 
 (The following story, adapted from the German, contains 
 all the wordsigns, and examples of every principle of the 
 Brief System, so that it is especially valuable for writing 
 practice. It may be written several hundred times with 
 profit.) 
 
 
 o^ 
 
 - I ^( 
 
 
 or \ 
 
 
 
68 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 ^^^^^-^^3^^' 
 
 L/^l^s 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 x^^ 
 
 
 
 ^. 
 
 tO -r ^ 
 
 \ 
 
 ^^X.^^^_/l/^i 
 
 ^^_ 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 6g 
 
 -^ 
 
 ^-^o 
 
 \y^j^o^. yr/o^ ^"^^r 
 
 en 
 
 kK^x. 
 
 o. 
 
 ^V _=% y/rJ^/-" \^0VV;^_, .>. 
 
 /•o.v / o 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 %/*" 
 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 \J 
 
 ^#^ 
 
 o\ 
 
 
 '^ -^ i 
 
 -*? 
 
 
 
 / A. 
 
 Q 
 
 
 7 y 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 .J A ijl 
 
 2j^ «A* 
 
 O (P / 
 
 a 
 
 V. v^ :io/fM 
 
 y^ 
 
 
12 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 w 
 
 -A, 
 
 o 
 
 
 s. 
 
 ^^^-^ 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 73 
 
 3 \ ^rC^y^ 
 
 O 
 
 y^ /^ <;^ ^ -^^1 
 
 ^A. 
 
 "^z 
 
 o^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 ^v^/' 
 
 ^^^?^ ^ y? Jj e OS 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 r 
 
 :\ 
 
74 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 '^^- 
 
 
 \ 
 
 ^V 
 
 sJcfS 
 
 311 
 
 h 
 
 /^ 
 
 '/ 
 
 Xi 
 
 
 ^J^_^^-^^ 
 
 V ^ 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 o © 
 
 y^ ^ 
 
 
 -f 
 
 ^ 
 
76 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 ih^/-^^ 
 
BRIpF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 -0/ 
 
 ex 
 
 
 
 -<l. 
 
 
 ^" cy 
 
 
 /I 
 
 ^ 6^ ^ 
 
 1 
 
 ^^,°i 
 
 ^^ 
 
 cV /^>^ 
 
 ^A 
 
 Vy^V 
 
 
 S<r^. ^*^ / 
 
 ^-A-5 
 
 <r? 
 
78 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 /X'v/ 
 
 1^ 
 
 
 V 
 
 _ ^ -^ 
 
 
 <s\;' 
 
 -^^• 
 
 \ 
 
 Moo 
 
 k 
 
 IX- 
 
 ^^^ 
 
 
 /\^ v^ /?; . V (^ A, . 
 
 -I -7 ° ^^^//cr 
 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 L^ 
 
 o^ 
 
 X 
 
 y 
 
 ^oUJ ^ A^ 
 
 ', ^ Co y ^^ o \y 
 
 J- 
 
 -0 
 
 V- 
 
 
 /.^ 
 
 ^^J 
 
 
 o\c^ 
 
8o 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 
 
 
 ^\3 ^ 
 
 <n^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^y 
 
 V ^^> V^/'^'i 
 
 
 ;» 
 
 o v-- 
 
 ^ ^-> ^>Y ° ^ > -^ "T), " ^ 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ A-^/^ 
 
 I I ^ ^ . \y^ J? 
 
82 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 KEY TO SHORTHAND MATTER. 
 
 Page 25. — Bay. Pay, May. Buy. Pie. My. Beau. 
 Po. Mow. Fay. Fie. Foe. Lay. Lie. Low. Aim. 
 Ape. Ail. Bale. Pale. Mail. Fail. Foam. Bile. Pile. 
 Mile. File. Fife. Abe. Bowl. Pole. Mole. Life. 
 Lime. Malay. Babe. Maim. Fame. Lame. Loam. 
 Loaf. Mope. Buy a pie. I lie low. I may mow. I may 
 pay Fay. My ire. Tay. Tie. Tow. Ray. Rye. 
 Row. Rail. Ate. Neigh. Nigh. No. Tare. Rare. 
 Care. Bear. Pair. Fair. Tire. Mire. Fire. Lyre. 
 Bore. Pour. More. Four. Roar. Tore. Core. Bait. 
 Pate. Mate. Fate. Late. Rate. Air. Kate. Nate. 
 Bite. Might. Fight. Light. Tight. Right. Ache. Kite. 
 Night. Boat. Mote. Wrote. Coat. Note. Tape. Cape. 
 Tame. Came. Name. Nail. Bait. Bake. Make. Fake. 
 Irate. Lake. Take. Rake. Cake. Bane. Pain. Main. 
 Fain. Lane. Rain. Cane. Type. Ripe. Time. Rhyme. 
 Rife. Knife. Tile. Rile. 
 
 Page 26. — Pike. Like. Pine. Mine. Fine. Line. 
 Nine. Robe. Rope. Cope. Rome. Comb. Toll. Roll. 
 Coal. Knoll. Pole. Coke. Bone. Moan. Loan. Tone. 
 Roan. Cone. Known. Bray. Pray. Fray. Pry. Fry. 
 Cry. Fro. Crow. Frame. Frail. Freight. Crate. Prate. 
 Prayer. Break. Brain. Crane. Bribe. Prime. Crime. 
 Bright. Fright. Brine. Broke. Probe. Prone. Croak. 
 Chromo. Play. Plate. Plain. Clay. Claim. Ply. 
 Plight. I may make a fire. I may row a boat. Write 
 Ray a note. Kate might make a bright light. May might 
 row my boat. I like pie. I might pay Fay. May I buy a 
 rope? Kate broke my knife. Ray tore my coat. I ate my 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 83 
 
 cake. Buy a chromo for Nate. Kate ate a pear. Way. 
 Wy. Woe. Day. Die. Dough. Wear. Wait. Wail. 
 Waif. Wake. Wane. Wade. Wife. Wire. Wile. 
 Wight. Wine. Wide. Wore. Woke. Dare. Date. Dale. 
 Dime. Dire. Dyke. Dine. Died. Dome. Dole. Am. 
 At. An. Dab. Dam. Dan. Paid. Made. Fade. Laid. 
 Raid. Bide. Abide. Ride. Ida. Tide. Bode. Abode. 
 Mode. Rode. Code. Add. Ira, 
 
 Page ^7.— Bad. Pad. Mad. Lad. Tab. Cab. Nab. 
 Map. Lap. Tap. Rap. Cap. Nap. Calf. Bat. Pat. 
 Mat. Fat. Aid. Rat. Tat. Cat. Gnat. Back. Pack. 
 Tack. Rack. Lack. Knack. Ban. Pan. Man. 
 Fan. Ran. Tan. Can. Nan. Lamb. Lamp. Cam. 
 Camp. Damp. Ode. At. Do. To. Doom. Act. Tomb. 
 Room. Moor. Rule. Tool. Loom. Fool. Food. Rude. 
 Mood. Root. Tour. Book. Brook. Roof. Took. Old. 
 Bold. Mold. Door. Wind. Kind. And. Mind. Find. 
 Band. I took a fine nap. I made a fine cake. Ida and 
 Ira wrote a book. I might find a wide board. Ralph paid 
 a dime to Dan, I made a cap to wear. Anna owed Ralph 
 a dime to-day. Frank ran away at night. Ida ran and 
 took a fan to Kate, I took a tour to a brook today. I am 
 to find Nan at noon. 
 
 Page i-^.—High. Hoe. Hugh. Who. Hay. Hire. 
 Height. Hide. Home. Hope. Hole. Hold. Whom. 
 Hood. Hook. Hoop. Hoot. Hat. Had. Ham. Half. 
 Hack. Hate. Hair. Why. Whey. While. White. 
 They. Thy. That. Though. Both. Ruth. Wrath. 
 Hath. Than. Bath. Lath. Clothe. Human. Hath. 
 Few. Mew. Pew. Pure. Dew. Mew. Cue. Lieu. 
 Tune. Feud. Fume. Mute. Cute. Why do you make 
 Hugh a new hat? Why do they loaf today? Who ate 
 that pear? They know Ira came home today. Do you 
 know who paid Ralph that dime? Do you ride to your 
 home? Whom do they hate? They can frame a photo 
 and a new chromo. Do they find a new rake and hoe? 
 Tie that calf to a hook. Ruth wore a hood today. They 
 
84 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 do roll a hoop. Dan wrote a note to Ralph. That white 
 cat ate my cake. Hugh had a whole ham at home. 
 
 Page 2Q. — Gay. Go. Gate. Game. Gain. Gale. Goat. 
 Goal. Gold. Wag. Bag. Rag. Tag. Gag. Lag. Gray. 
 Great. Grape. Gram. Grab. Grow. Grope. Groan. 
 Grew. Group. Groom. Grime. Grain. Age. Page. 
 Rage. Cage. Wage. Jane. Jail. Joe. Joke. Batch. Patch. 
 Match. Latch. Catch. Attach. Huge. Char. Charm. 
 Charge. Watch. Odd. Hod. Hot. Papa. Mamma. Bog. 
 Rod. Rock. Walk. Talk. Bought. Brought. Got. 
 Dog. For. Form. Moth. Pod. Dark. Mark. Park. 
 Dodge. Jaw. John. Jew, Ow. How. Bow. Mow. Row. 
 Cow. Now. Allow. Our. Bower. Power. Tower. Dower. 
 Out. Pout. Rout. Doubt. About. Owl. Howl. Growl. 
 Prowl. Kraut. Joy. Me. Lea. Tea, Key. Knee. We. 
 Lead. Lean. Keen. Read. Weed. Alloy. Near. Tear. 
 Rear. Deed. Dear. Neat. Need. Here. Heed. Week. 
 Wheat. He. Heat. Chain. Wad. Chew. Each. Reach. 
 Teach. Leach. Peach. Preach. Chief. Cheap. Chat. 
 Chap. Nor. Not. Dot, Jot. Caught. Drop. Crop. 
 
 Page JO.— Beam. Beef. Beat. Bean. Bead. Beach. 
 Meal. Meat. Peal. Mere. Meek. Mean. Feel. Feet. 
 Fear. Feed. Keep. Keel. Deep. Cheap. Deal. Weal. 
 Wheel. Weep. League. Real. Teem. Appeal. Ream. 
 Bite. Bide. Abide. Mile. Might. Mine. Fight. Fine. 
 Fido. Time. Tile. Type. Tine. Ripe. Dial. We need 
 a key for our door. Read my new book while I go to 
 town. How do you know that they got back? Tie your 
 cow to the barn. You might eat our peach pie now. I 
 hear you talk now. Weigh the tea for me. Lead the dog 
 to the gate. The gray cat caught a fat rat today. Rock 
 the babe while I bake the cake. We rode on a car to To- 
 peka. Why do you weep? We walk to jail. The wheat 
 grew. Harry rode out to the farm. 
 
 Page 31. — Say. Same. Sane. Sale. Sage. Saw. So. 
 Sue. Suit. Soup. As. Has. Use. Assume. Shay. 
 Shame. Shape. Shop. Shade. Shale. Shall. Shawl. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 85 
 
 Show. Shoe. Shoot. Sure. Assure. See. Seem. Seat. 
 Sear, Seek, Seen, Seed. Sigh. Sight. Sign. Side. 
 Ease. Easy. Peace. Tease, Lease. Cheese, Keys. 
 Freeze. Please, Ice. Wise. Mice, Pies. Rise. Ties. 
 Nice. Whose. Ruse. Goose, Choose. Lose. Spy. 
 Spire. Spite. Spear. Snow. Sneeze. Sleigh. Sly. Slice. 
 Smite. Smile. Small. Stay. Sty. Sat. Sack. Sad. 
 Sake. Safe. Sought. Sorry. Maps. Weeds. Wires. 
 Muse. Amuse. Fuse. Mask. Task. Ask. Scout. Choice. 
 Speak to that boy for me. Do you read our books? Please 
 see who comes now. The white cow eats grass now. What 
 shall we say to Sarah? Jane walks to the new school 
 house near the farm. Harry mowed the weeds. Sue wears 
 new shoes. Here are the keys for our doors. We shall 
 ask Sam to amuse our boys while we go for the sleigh. The 
 sleepy cat sat near the fire. The cat caught a mouse. 
 
 Page 32. — Ax. Ox. Box. Wax. Coax. Excite. Ex- 
 ceed. Vie. Veer. Vale, Rave. Brave, Lave. Gave. 
 Save. Shave. Arrive. Vague. Vine. Hive. Rang. 
 Wrong. Sang. Song. Move. Rove. Veal. Vile. Leave. 
 Live. Hang. Pang. Fang. Long. Angry. Pale. Cave. 
 Vain. Value. Vogue. Achieve. View. Vow. Vouch. 
 Void. Avoid. Voice. Veto. Volume. Vice. Voyage. 
 Joe sat near the wide box. Sarah eats a piece of cheese 
 now. They are skating near the dam. Do you grind the 
 ax? We are eating our peaches now, Jane sang a nice 
 song. Ralph weighed out the wrong tea for Mamma. Joe 
 hangs the rake to the hook. Why do you move that 
 house? He took a valise to our house. They took a voy- 
 age across the sea. We are angry at those boys. Harry 
 gave Hattie a hive of bees. We had a fine view from the 
 top of the high tower. 
 
 Page j>j.— Ed. Head. Edge. Egg. Hem. Hen. Her. 
 Met. Men. Red. Let. Led. Said. When. Get. If. 
 It. In. III. Mill. Him. Is. His. Bit, Will. With, 
 Run, Rut. But, Shut, Jut. Jug. Cut. Put. Us. Thus. 
 Judge. Church. He is not here at this time, but will re- 
 
86 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 turn next week, I wish you would let us watch you print 
 the newspaper. Please shut this door when you pass into 
 the room. Did you fill our jug with oil for the mowing ma- 
 chine? They are quite happy in their new home. Our 
 baby has that map, and will tear it if you let him keep it 
 long enough. We are sure this failure will not affect your 
 business. The new judge heard this case. Fanny went to 
 church. 
 
 Pages 34, jj.— The Kind Old Oak. — It was almost 
 time for winter to come, and the little birds had all gone 
 far away, for they were afraid of the cold. There was no 
 green grass in the fields, and there were no pretty flowers 
 in the gardens. Cold winter, with its snow and ice, was 
 coming. At the foot of an old oak, some sweet little vio- 
 lets were still in blossom. "Dear old oak," said they, 
 "winter is coming; we are afraid that we shall die of the 
 cold." "Do not be afraid, little ones," said the oak, "close 
 your yellow eyes in sleep, and I will take care that the win- 
 ter shall do you no harm, for you have made me glad many 
 times with your sweetness." So the violets closed their 
 pretty eyes and went to sleep; they knew they could be- 
 lieve the kind old oak. And the great tree softly dropped 
 red leaf upon red leaf, until they were all covered over. 
 The cold winter came, with its snow and ice, but it could 
 not harm the little violets. Safe under the friendly leaves 
 of the old oak, they slept and dreamed happy dreams until 
 the warm rains of spring came and waked them again. — 
 From Little Flower Folks. 
 
 Many a man is rich without money. No man can serve 
 two masters. A good name keeps its lustre in the dark. 
 Gold is gold, be where it may. To waste another's goods 
 is robbery. 
 
 Pagesd.—V^cL With. Will. Would. Bid. But. Met. 
 Give. Live. Big. Dig. Put. Book. Get. Did. Good. 
 Were. Work. Word. Church. This. Busy. Business. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 87 
 
 Judge. Edit. Buggy. Head. Hit. Held. Affect. Ef- 
 fect. Learn. Debt. Deaf. Help. Mill. Witch. Which. 
 Led. Cut. Nest. Rest. Test. Does. Dip. Dipper. 
 Rich. Hitch. Pitch. Ring. Ditch. Much. Such. Chest. 
 Suggest. Check. Subject. Object. Village. Labor. 
 Music. Physic. Gossip. Redeem. Release. Rely. Re- 
 peat. Will you ride with this boy? Did they expect us to 
 tell you where we were? 1 wish you would help us to take 
 this buggy to the mill. The Judge was at this church last 
 Sabbath. Hard work is not hard except to those who are 
 afraid of it. The way to do a great deal of work is to keep 
 all the while doing a little. 
 
 Pa^e jy.—But. Get. Met. Let. Wet. 
 Put. Did. Apt. Act. Out. Doubt. Rout. 
 Mouth. Tact. Wrapt. Fact. Stay. Sty. 
 List. Stew. State. Stale. Stove. Sift. 
 Shaft. Remit. Mast. Past. Last. Fast. 
 Used. It. Exit. Bind. Mind. Wind. 
 Kind. Exalt. Watched. Stain. Sustain. 
 Soft. Result. Joe watched the boys shoot. Harry did 
 this work well. They suspect that he stole our cow out of 
 the barn. We must get more definite news about this old 
 lady's sister. Let us know at what time you resumed busi- 
 ness. We have decided to find this kind of a hatchet for 
 our use. It is the mind which makes the body rich. The 
 best is always the cheapest. We will send you with a new 
 stove to put it up in our fine stone house. 
 
 Pa^^e j8.— Able. Blow. Blew. Table. Blight. Blind. 
 Bleach. Believe. Bland. Blame. Bill. Build. Fable. 
 Stable. Will. Wilt. Wealth. Weld. Spill. Pill. Play. 
 Plate. Plain. Plight. Apple. Apply. Pelt. Idle. Rid- 
 dle. Peddle. Liable. Fly. Flight. Flow. Float. Flower. 
 Fell. Felt. Supply. Chill. Chilly. Angel. Tell. Fea- 
 sible. Glow. Glory. Glass. Glad. Angle. Glean. 
 Gleam. Gloss. Glide. Glove. Guild. Glue. Rule. Stool. 
 Saddle. Dull. Mill. Melt. Cool. School. Tool. Annul. 
 Final. A black chick may come out of a white egg. The 
 
 With. 
 
 Whet. 
 
 Pout. 
 
 Kraut. 
 
 Best. 
 
 Must. 
 
 Shift. 
 
 Swift. 
 
 Lost. 
 
 Cost. 
 
 Rind. 
 
 Find. 
 
 Old. 
 
 Hold. 
 
88 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 noble deed all tongues may read. Who runs with wolves 
 will learn to howl. 
 
 Page jg. — Bray. Break. Brain. Bright. Bride. Fray. 
 Bridle. Brief. Brood. Labor. Brass. Liberal, Library. 
 Fibre. Pray. Pry. Preach. Paper. Express. Chapter. 
 Gray. Grate. Grade. Grace. Grow. Grew. Group. 
 Acre. Cry. Occur. Cripple. Crate. Freight. Fry. 
 Fright. Fraud. After. Matter. Meter. Try. Tree. 
 Trade. Trouble. Trifle. Ear. Hear. Rear. Tear. Seer. 
 Queer. Appear. Spear. Mire. Spire. Dray. Draft. 
 Fodder. Other. Either. Neither. Brother. River. Your. 
 Pure. Cure. Secure. Obscure. Were. Word. Work. 
 Our. Bower. Tower. Flower. Or. Hard. Order. Ard- 
 uous. I desire to purchase a new dray. Better a lean 
 agreement than a fat lawsuit. Strike while the iron is hot. 
 Pride must have a fall. Use soft words and hard argu- 
 ments. How delicate is the golden thread of life! Life 
 glides away like a brook. Nature is the glass which re- 
 flects God. Our boy cries for a big kite. Charms strike 
 the sight, but merit wins the soul. 
 
 Page 40. — The great heat did melt the ice. Did you 
 tell that boy to get the whip or the hoop at the hotel? Must 
 you go with us to the school house? This is the best way 
 to go to the bakery. We walked with Papa to the mill. 
 Will they tell us how they get out of this house? The 
 river flows to the deep, blue sea. I will buy a new glass at 
 his store. Where was he at 5 o'clock? May was at our 
 house today. Is James at the school now? Were they well 
 the other day? Either Mary or Amy will be obliged to go 
 with you to the market. Our gray cat ate a piece of 
 cheese. Why do you take my apple pie? Do they go to 
 the saw mill? We do not know where he is now. 
 
 J^age 41. — Send out to the store for a bushel of wheat. 
 Is his hotel as near here as it is to the post office? Has he 
 brought her hat to the shop? Is he as old now as Amy was 
 last Tuesday? Did you go to the house for a cup full of 
 water? We expect to be successful with our business. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 89 
 
 Please tell us where you will be tomorrow. I wish you 
 would send us a copy of your paper. We had added your 
 name to our list before we received your letter. I must 
 stay at the hotel. We should be there by 5 o'clock. How 
 do they get out to the park from this place? The old lib- 
 erty bell was rung. A famous library was burned. The 
 odious Stamp Act was repealed. Several large, ripe, lus- 
 cious, mellow apples were picked. A poor, black, tired 
 fugitive made good his escape. The serfs were freed. 
 
 Page ^^.— The water is ever smooth where the brook is 
 deep. The cricket and the kettle sang very well together. 
 Why does she not subscribe for all these periodicals? 
 They should be sure to reply to this letter as soon as they 
 receive it. To make other people happy should be our 
 chief delight. Charity suffereth long and is kind. I would 
 suggest that you give this question most thorough study. 
 She should have sent us an immediate reply, if she did not 
 expect to go with us yesterday. What subject does he pre- 
 fer to discuss? Does Albert ever go to their general offices? 
 Do they look quite like their father? Tell Martha she 
 must get the money to pay for the apples which she bought 
 yesterday. How much more money does this firm request 
 for its services? The great city of Chicago was almost 
 destroyed by fire a few years ago. 
 
 Page 4j. — We had a very delightful trip to the hills the 
 other day. Please specify what you expect us to do. Will 
 you please send us a basket of fruit? We would submit 
 the whole matter to you to be settled. It is quite necessary 
 that you give us credit for all that we have paid you. They 
 shipped the goods by express today. I wish you would 
 please describe your machine. It is not very difficult to get 
 the amount subscribed. This deed should be executed 
 without delay. I have no knowledge of the affair you 
 speak of. Knowledge is power. Please order a bill of 
 goods for me, to be shipped next Thursday. A mosquito 
 bit me on the ear. After the well goes dry we learn the 
 worth of water. There is nobody so deaf as those who 
 
go BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 will not hear. People who live in glass houses should never 
 throw stones. 
 
 Page 44.. — What do you regard as the most satisfactory 
 part of this work? It is a baby mind which always asks to 
 be amused. He has been selected from among a great 
 number of people to perform this work. New knowledge 
 which we discover for ourselves, always gives us great sat- 
 isfaction. We have not so much money as we had yesterday. 
 The sober General has sold me a quart of milk. We will 
 be judged by our associates. They have gone to New 
 York, to examine a piece of real estate there. Be sure to 
 examine well the papers, before you close the deal for that 
 factory. The article which he wrote was so short that it 
 did not satisfy the editor. How much more money will it 
 be necessary for us to raise at present, for this purpose? 
 They have just gone to present that matter to the digni- 
 fied justice of the peace, to be settled. The little girl is 
 too young to go to school. 
 
 Page 4.^. — Life is half gone before we know what it is. 
 Look before you leap, for snakes among sweet flowers do 
 creep. Never praise a ford till you are over. Life that is 
 too short for the happy is too long for the miserable. It is 
 easier to bear what is amiss than to go about to reform it. 
 It is easy to keep a castle that is never assaulted. He that 
 knows little very soon repeats it. A soft answer turneth 
 away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue 
 of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools 
 poureth out foolishness. The way to get good is to do good. 
 If the devil had to travel without a mask, he would never 
 be followed. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart 
 for it; and he that hateth suretyship is sure. He is quite 
 discouraged with the present outlook for business. Does 
 he assume this debt? 
 
 Page 4.6. — Weak rule is cruel rule. Our hardest jour- 
 neys are made before we start. He who comes late stays 
 half at home. Gold is ductile, but it is not possible to 
 make heart strings of it. Anger without words is like a 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 9t 
 
 snake's fangs without his rattles. Reform a crooked stick 
 by praising his straightest part. It ought to be and may 
 be a delightful task to teach the young. It is not all of 
 life to live, nor all of death to die. Shakespeare was fifty- 
 two years old the very day of his death. The lamp of a man's 
 life has three wicks-brain, blood and breath. The idle 
 brain is the devil's workshop. The trouble with most of us 
 is that we are so busy planning the next thing that we have 
 no time to do the present thing well. I shall pursue this 
 subject further. 
 
 Pa£-e 4y. — Bright eyed daisies peeped up everywhere. 
 The oppressed serfs have been liberated. A free people 
 should be educated. Why do people exaggerate so? He 
 who is too old to learn is too old to teach. The precious 
 morning hours should not be wasted. Feudalism did not 
 and could not exist before the tenth century. This apple 
 tastes and smells delicious. Velvet feels smooth and looks 
 rich and glossy. The ear is the never closed gateway of 
 the soul. The moon revolves and keeps the same side to- 
 ward us. At the time Abraham lived there were already 
 thirty pyramids built. The axis of the earth sticks out 
 visibly through the center of each and every town and city. 
 Plato and Aristotle are called the two head springs of 
 philosophy. They named New York for the Duke of York. 
 The cackling of geese saved Rome. See the mouse. 
 
 J^a^e 48. — We should learn to govern ourselves. Prayer 
 is the key of the morning and the bolt of the night. The 
 laws of Nature are the thoughts of God. The petals of 
 the daisy close at night, and during rainy weather. The 
 old miser kept saving and starving. Saint Paul the Apostle 
 was beheaded during the rule of Nero. We shall strive to 
 please you hereafter. To be or not to be, that is the ques- 
 tion. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work. 
 Eastern life is dreamy. They offered Caesar a crown. 
 Beauty that knows itself spoils itself for others. The 
 father of thought is leisure; her mother is toil. Those that 
 love truth do not love ease. Work postponed is peace de- 
 
9* BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 throned. Sorrow becomes heroism when it hides itself 
 through love. Truth is never afraid of thought. He who 
 takes the wrong road must make the journey again. 
 
 Page 4Q. — Ban. Dan. Fan. Can. Man, Nan. Pan. 
 Ran. Tan. Than. Van. Band. Bank. Dance. Fannie. 
 Fancy. Fanatic. France. Frank. Bran. Brand. Rank. 
 Tank. Thank. Vanity. And. Land. Stand. Chance. 
 Chancery. Grand. Grant. Channel. Panel. Flannel. 
 Wrangle. Tangle. Jangle. Angle. Mangle. Gland. 
 Glance. Bland. Plan. Plant. Slant. Balance. Bin. 
 Din. Fin. Chin. Kin. Men. Pen. Sin. Tin. When. 
 Then. Think. Wink. Pink. End. Bend. Mend. Rend. 
 Tend. Attend. Intend. Rent. Bent. Open. Lend. 
 Lent. Relent. Again. Against. Pencil. Dinner. Many. 
 Since. Intense. Went. Happen. Even. Tenant. Enter. 
 Hinder. Envy. Endure. Endorse. Spin. Spinner. Spend. 
 Spindle. Inch. Pinch. Lynch. Finch, Slender. Bench. 
 Wrench. Defend. Amend. Revenge. Mingle. Tingle. 
 Jingle. English. Wrinkle. Tinkle. Sprinkle. Insist. 
 Invite. Shingle. Enlist. Inform. Informal. Point. In- 
 trinsic. Interest. Infest. Infect. Wind. Winter. Enclose. 
 Specimen. Cringe. Fringe. 
 
 Page 50. — Time. Rhyme. Lime. Dime. Chyme. Chime. 
 Crime. Prime. Sublime. Bum. Dumb. Gum, Hum. 
 Come. Mum. Numb. Rum. Some. Tom. Bump. Dump. 
 Hump. Jump. Mumps. Thump. Pump. Drum. Grum. 
 Crumb. Sum. Summer. Summit. Handsome. Humble. 
 Fumble. Jumble. Glum. Plumb. Plumber. Plump. 
 Mumble. Tumble. Rumble. Grumble. Crumble. Bun. 
 Done. Fun. Gun. John. Run. None. Pun. Sun. 
 Shun. Ton. Won. Once. Dunce. Bond. Bundle. 
 Funny. Fund. Until. Hunger. Sunday. Under. Un- 
 tie. Blunder. Blunt. Gunner. Hunt. Hunter. Diamond. 
 Dim. Jim. Limb. Rim. Tim. Limit. Gimlet. Timid. 
 Simmer. Glimmer. Grim. Simple. Dimple. Nimble. 
 Thimble. Symbol. Skim. Slim. Glimpse. Immerse. 
 Poem. Flimsy. Image. Imbibe. Imagine. Imbue. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 93 
 
 Imitate. Imbecile. Hem. Emma. Them. Temper, 
 Temple. Ember. Emblem. Empire. Eminent. Em- 
 body, Emphatic. Immense. Imply, Employ. Resem- 
 ble. Emerge. Emery. Eminence. Permanent. De- 
 scend. Different. Indifferent. Relinquish. Intelligent. 
 Incur. Encourage. Anchor. Hand. Handle. Uncle. 
 Sonnet, 
 
 Page 5/, — An honest man speaks as he thinks, I will 
 come when I have finished my lesson. A bobolink and a 
 robin sang a sweet duet. I stood on the bridge at midnight. 
 Their history is written on tablets of stone. The wise old 
 owl dozed in an ancient tower, ruined and ivy covered. 
 The prince was clad in a garment of velvet that glistened 
 with gems. The war of the Colonies against England ex- 
 cited sympathy among the people of Europe, Above the 
 mists rose the snowy summits of sharp needles of rock, 
 which seemed to float in the air like a fairy world. Two 
 hundred years have changed the character of a great 
 country. He at once affixed his signature to the document. 
 He is a much handsomer man than his brother John, 
 Tompkins is general manager of a match factory in this 
 city. When does he intend to go to Humboldt to engage a 
 mammoth drum for a Christmas present for his son? 
 Frank and Jennie ran away with an umbrella, Anna went 
 to the window when the wind blew. The melancholy au- 
 tumn days have come. 
 
 Page J2. — Substantial suspension bridges have been 
 built at an immense expense. It is his intention to endeavor 
 to induce that intelligent gentleman to subscribe for his 
 periodical. What funds does your friend intend to invest 
 in this enterprise? This envelope is too diminutive for 
 practical use. This plan is both feasible and practicable. 
 The Santa Fe is one of the greatest railroad systems in the 
 world. He has achieved phenomenal success in his busi- 
 ness venture here. Minnie thinks it will be necessary to 
 dispose of our organ. He has just joined a new company 
 which has been organized at this point for the manufacture 
 
94 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 of cotton cloth for flour sacks. What is your opinion in 
 regard to this gold pen? Wiilard says he would not hesi- 
 tate to endorse these merchants. He does not possess a 
 sufficient amount of money to purchase a farm. The time 
 has been extended, so that this note and mortgage will be- 
 come due January ist, Our clerk made a mistake when he 
 mailed our reply to your recent letter, so that it went to 
 another man; we shall see that such an error does not oc- 
 cur again very soon. 
 
 Page J5'. — Deserve success and you shall command it. 
 The captain's quick eye caught one possible chance for 
 escape. We stood upon the ragged rocks when the long 
 day was almost done. Fierce winds often sweep over the 
 desert and fill the air with sand. A handsome lady with 
 dark eyes stood before an ancient mirror. The swimmer 
 bravely breasted the waves which every moment threatened 
 his destruction. Who hunts two hares at a time leaves 
 one and loses the other. The success of Benjamin Frank- 
 lin as a public man is attributed to his integrity of charac- 
 ter. It is said that Julius Caesar never suffered himself to 
 show anger at all — that he would repeat the entire Roman 
 alphabet before he spoke. The bright flowers of the 
 morning glory climb over the garden walls. A torn jacket 
 is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child. 
 It is easier to stem the brook than the river. A small leak 
 may sink a large ship. A beautiful bird sat on a lofty 
 bough and sang a most melodious song. Too many cooks 
 spoil the broth. 
 
 Page ^4. — A schoolmaster had a small dog which be- 
 came very much attached to a kitten. They were accus- 
 tomed to associate together before the fire, at times asleep, 
 at other times at play. One day while they were taking a 
 comfortable nap, the kettle boiled over and scalded the 
 dog, who rushed away, howling piteously. He had not 
 gone very far, however, before he thought of his friend. 
 He returned at once, took up the kitten in his mouth, and 
 carried it to a place of safety. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 95 
 
 Whene'er a noble deed is wrought, 
 Whene'er is spoken a noble thought. 
 Our hearts in glad surprise 
 To higher levels rise. — Longfellow . 
 
 About 150 B. C, there was a water clock used in Italy, 
 Greece, and Egypt; the water escaped from a jar and fell 
 into a receptacle beneath, in which floated a small oar, 
 which, by its rising on the water, showed the hours. He at 
 present represents some eastern insurance and loan com- 
 panies. He intends to recite a poem at the lyceum. Indus- 
 try pays debts, while despair increases them. When will 
 he come? 
 
 Page ^^. — What is his name? This fine pane of glass 
 is clean. Jane came from town through the rain. It was 
 plain to be seen that the blue ink had left a stain. Our fine 
 new house will be either frame or stone. They own this 
 plane. The insane man came down the lane from town 
 last June. He found a tame rabbit down near the lane. 
 Do as they do in Spain — when it rains let it rain. Will you 
 be kind enough to ascertain who became the owner of this 
 land? We claim that Eugene is not to blame because he 
 failed to obtain a prize. Think that to-day will never 
 dawn again. The queen of England wears a crown. Will 
 has drawn a map of the world, which is fine. Joseph re- 
 quested Chester to loan him some money, but the latter 
 was obliged to decline to assist his friend in this manner. 
 This man, whom I have known for a number of years, is an 
 honest and capable man beyond any question. 1 prefer to 
 remain at home through such a heavy rain. 
 
 Page j6. — What does he expect to attain by such be- 
 havior? They will resume business after the boom. We 
 presume you will assume this indebtedness. He has 
 amassed an immense fortune. The old historic Charter 
 Oak was blown down August 21, 1856. One-half of all 
 known materials is oxygen. The range of thirty pyramids, 
 even in the time of Abraham, looked down on the plain of 
 Memphis. He expects to resign his position with that 
 
96 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 company. Have you seen our new machine? Man is said 
 to be the architect of his own fortune. Can you not loan 
 this poor lone woman a cane? None of us knew the girl 
 in her nun's gown. This boy has not won one single prize 
 this year. Fame is the fragrance of heroic deeds. Wind- 
 sor Castle is the residence of Queen Victoria. The gain 
 which is made at the expense of reputation should rather 
 be set down as a loss. He that knows not when to keep 
 silence, knows not when to speak. Paris is built on both 
 sides of the river Seine, and has many bridges. Do not 
 detain us now. 
 
 Page J7. — We cannot go by way of Canada. They can 
 be there soon. We can tell them to engage an American 
 workman to perform this operation. We can see them for 
 you if you can wait until we cancel these notes. They will 
 both be candidates for the same office. He can't see them. 
 This lot is vacant now. Can they get into some mercantile 
 business soon? Are you doing all that you can do in the 
 way of assisting him with the building which he is erecting 
 at this point? We cannot make good candy, but they are 
 making a very good kind at the other store. We intend 
 using incandescent lights throughout our building. An 
 eminent American gentleman is speaking now. There is 
 danger of his remaining in the water too long and drown- 
 ing as a result. He was disturbing a meeting. How far 
 that little candle throws its beams; so shines a good deed 
 in a wicked world. One can say to one's friend the things 
 that stand in need of pardon, and at the same time be sure 
 of it. The animal known as the ermine, lives wherever it 
 can find a snug hiding place. He was alone in the store 
 when the awning was blown down. Washington is known 
 as the Father of his Country. Are they eating dinner? 
 
 Page ^8. — When a man has not a good reason for doing 
 a thing, he has one good reason for letting it alone. How- 
 ever good you may be, you have some faults; however dull 
 you may be, you can find out what some of them are; and 
 however slight they may be, you had better make some — 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 97 
 
 not too painful, but patient — effort to get quit of them. 
 Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge the wing where- 
 with we fly to heaven. 
 
 Pekin boasts of having the oldest newspaper in the 
 world. The first number was issued in the year gii, and it 
 has not missed an issue in 700 years. Before printing was 
 invented, the work was done with brushes. It is known as 
 the King Pan, and now issues three editions each day. 
 
 When I had gone half a mile my opinion of the charac- 
 ter of the pools was unchanged; never were there such 
 good places for trout, but the trout were out of their places. 
 
 I dozed and dreamed until the dawn flushed through 
 the waning moonlight. 
 
 Roses were blooming in the gardens at the old Spanish 
 house that stood on the bay. We heard the moaning of the 
 wind and the pattering of the rain. 
 
 Pages jg, 60. — It is not what people eat, but what they 
 digest, that makes them strong. It is not what they gam, 
 but what they save, that makes them rich. It is not what 
 they read, but what they remember, that makes them 
 learned. It is not what they profess, but what they prac- 
 tice, that makes them good. 
 
 DO WHAT VOU CAN. 
 
 There was once a farmer who had a large field of corn; 
 he plowed the ground and planted the corn, and harrowed 
 and weeded it with great care, and on his field he depended 
 for the chief support of his family. But after he had 
 worked hard he saw the corn begin to wither and droop 
 for rain, and he began to have fears for his crop. He felt 
 very sad and went over every day to look at his corn, and 
 see if there was any hope of rain. 
 
 One day, as he stood looking at the sky, and almost in 
 despair, two little raindrops up in the clouds over his head 
 saw him, and one said to the other, "Look at that farmer; 
 I feel sorry for him; he has taken so much pains with his 
 field of corn, and now it is drying up; I wish I could do 
 him some good." 
 
98 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 "Yes," said the other, "but you are nothing but a little 
 raindrop; what can you do? You can't even wet one hill." 
 
 "Well," said the first, "to be sure I can't do much; but 
 I can cheer the farmer a little, at any rate, and I am re- 
 solved to do my best; I'll try. I'll go to the field to show 
 my good will, if I can do no more; and so here I go." 
 
 The first raindrop had no sooner started for the field 
 than the second one said, "Well, if you are going, I believe 
 I will go, too; here I come," And down went the rain- 
 drops—one came pat on the farmer's nose, and one fell on 
 a stalk of corn. "Dear me," said the farmer, putting his 
 finger to his nose, "what's that? A raindrop! Where did 
 that come from? I do believe we shall have a shower." 
 
 By this time a great many raindrops had come together, 
 to hear what their companions were talking about, and 
 when they saw them going to cheer the farmer and water 
 the corn, one said, "If you are going on such a good er- 
 rand, I'll go, too," and down he came. "And I," said 
 another, "And I," and so on till a whole shower came; and 
 the corn grew and ripened — all because the first little rain- 
 drop did what it could. 
 
 Page 6i. — 
 
 Think not that strengtli lies in tlie big round word, 
 
 Or that the iDrief and plain must needs be weak; 
 
 To whom can this be true who once has heard 
 
 The cry for help, the tongue that all men speak, 
 
 When want or woe or fear is in tlie throat. 
 
 So that each word gasped out is like a shriek 
 
 Pressed from the sore heart, or a strange wild note 
 
 Sung by some fay or Hend? There is a strength 
 
 Which dies if stretched too far or spun too fine, 
 
 Wliich has more height than breadth, more depth than length. 
 
 — Alexander . 
 Down falls the pleasant rain, 
 
 To water thirsty flowers; 
 Then shines the sun again 
 
 To cheer this earth of ours. 
 
 If it were always rain. 
 
 The flowers would be drowned; 
 If it were always sun. 
 
 No flowers would be found. 
 
>. BAKEK 
 UWYER 
 
 T^AMJiS, TEXA^ 
 
 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. <W 
 
 Any life that is worth living' must be a struggle, a swim- 
 ming not with but against the stream. — Dean Stanley. 
 
 He who speaks sows; he who keeps silence reaps. 
 
 He sins as much who holds the sack as he who puts 
 into it. 
 
 More men are drowned in wine and beer than in water. 
 
 Do good and thou shalt find no evil. 
 
 Page 62.— A True Story About a Horse. — There 
 were two horses, one of them blind, belonging to a country 
 doctor out West, who for eighteen years drove them on his 
 rounds of visiting, generally harnessing them together. 
 
 One evening the doctor took out his blind horse alone, 
 driving him until late. On his return he put the horse into 
 a stall next to that of its mate, there being a tight board 
 partition between them from floor to ceiling. Then he 
 threw some ears of corn into the manger and went indoors. 
 
 By and by the doctor was startled by curious sounds 
 from the stable, and he took a lantern and went to see what 
 was the matter. As he drew near he heard the two mates 
 calling and answering each other in cheerful tones; and 
 when he looked into the stable, there was the blind horse 
 pushing ears of corn to his friend through a big knot hole 
 in the partition! The two old chums were having a broth- 
 erly chat, and enjoying it all the more because they were 
 going halves in something good to eat. 
 
 This story of the intelligence of some dumb animals 
 was published in the St. Nicholas magazine, for the month 
 of June, i8go. 
 
 Page 6j. — Command. Commend. Comment. Common. 
 Commonwealth. Comfort. Commit. Committee. Com- 
 mune. Compare. Compass. Company. Compel. Com- 
 ply. Complain. Complex. Complete. Compile. Com- 
 pete. Competent. Incompetent. Comma. Competitor. 
 Compensate. Compose. Composed. Compositor. Com- 
 pound. Comprise. Compute. Comrade. Recommend. 
 Accommodate. Accompany. Accomplish. Discommode. 
 
100 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Discomfort. Uncomfortable. Concave. Convex. Con- 
 ceal. Concede. Concern. Concert. Condemn. Con- 
 centrate. Concise. Condense. Confer. Condescend. Con- 
 clude. Conclusive. Conduct. Consign. Confess. Con- 
 fine. Confuse. Confound. Consist. Conference. Con- 
 firm. Congregate. Connect. Contain. Consider. Constant. 
 Consent. Continue. Contest. Continent. Contingent. 
 Conscience. Contact. Count. Account. Discount. Re- 
 count. Countenance. Council. Counselor. Cognizant. 
 Cognizance. Cognomen. Cognate. Cogwheel. Recognize. 
 Contract. Contrast. Contradict, Contrary. Contrive. 
 Contrite. Contribute. Control. Controversy. Counteract. 
 Counterfeit. Countermand. Counterpane. Counterpart. 
 Countersign. Encountered. Probe. Probate. Proceed. 
 Proclaim. Procure. Program. Produce. Profane. Profuse. 
 Profound. Proficient. Promote. Propose. Protest. Pro- 
 cess. Promise. Prompt. Profit. Project. Product. 
 Proper. Progress. Progressive. Prophesy. Prophecy. 
 Proffer. Prospect. Problem. Prod. Port. Portable. 
 Porter. Portray. Portrait. Portico. Prudence. Prudent. 
 Prove. Improper. Improvise. Improvidence. Import. 
 Importer. Important. Importance. Importune. Improve. 
 Imprudent. Imprudence. 
 
 Page 64. — Preside. Prepare. Predict. Prevent. Pre- 
 mature. Preserve. Predispose. Predominate. Precede. 
 Preclude. Pretend. Premium. Prepay. Prelude. Pre- 
 meditate. Pre-empt. Pre-eminent. Predestine. Predes- 
 tinate. Prepossess. Preoccupy. Comprehend. Appre- 
 hend. Appreciate. Commission. Commotion. Compas- 
 sion. Compensation. Apprehension. Comprehension. 
 Session. Concession. Procession. Compilation. Position. 
 Composition. Proposition. Competition. Compulsion. 
 Completion. Condition. Condescension. Connection. Col- 
 lection. Correction. Condensation. Consideration. Con- 
 solation. Conception. Prediction. Production. Concen- 
 tration. Constellation. Contention. Mention. Mansion. 
 Confirmation. Recognition. Preparation. Congregation. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. loi 
 
 Progression. Precaution. Pre-emption. Preservation 
 Vision. Version. Aversion. Mission. Tension. Atten- 
 tion. Omission. Submission. Discussion. Description, 
 Tuition. Division. Only. Daily. Easily. Aptly. Soberly. 
 Gladly. Falsely. Certainly. Rapidly. Early. Previously. 
 Shrewdly. Homely. Manly. Gaily. Sincerely. Cheaply. 
 Chiefly. Family. Honestly. Nearly. Queerly. Fre- 
 quently. Wisely. Sadly. Immediately. Commonly. 
 Widely. Sweetly. Brightly. Busily. Hurriedly. Purely. 
 Dubiously. Recently. Justly. Likely. Coolly, Largely. 
 Kindly, Minutely. Monthly. Willingly. Exceedingly. 
 Longingly. Payment. Judgment. Sentiment. Experi- 
 ment. Improvement. Complement. Testament. Tem- 
 perament. Enforcement. Endorsement. Instrument. 
 Enjoyment. Tenement. Punishment. Ornament. Ac- 
 quirement. Requirement. Arrangement. Attainment. 
 Agreement. Inducement. Predicament. Ailment. 
 
 Page 65. — Colic. Collapse. Collate. Collation. Col- 
 lateral. Collect. College. Collegian. Collide. Collision. 
 Colony. Colonize. Column. Colloquial. Recollect. Corn. 
 Corporal, Corporation. Carpet. Correct. Incorrect. 
 Correctly. Correspond. Cord. Corridor. Corrigible. In- 
 corrigible. Corrode. Corroborate. Corroboration. Accord. 
 Record. Concord. Discord. Discordant. Transfer. 
 Transact. Transcribe. Transcript. Transform Trans- 
 fuse. Transmit. Transmission. Transmigrate. Trans- 
 pose. Transparent. Transaction. Transgress. Trans- 
 marine. Transportation. Transubstantiation. Interest. 
 Interview. Intercede. Interfere. Interrupt. Intermit. 
 Intervene. Intercessor. Interpose. Entertain. Enter- 
 prise. Intersect. Interline. Interpret. Interruption. In- 
 tricate. Introduce. Understand. Undertake. Undergo. 
 Party. Insanity. Affinity. Society. Property. Propriety. 
 Impropriety. Capacity. Sincerity. Commodity. Quality. 
 County. Quantity. Empty. Profanity, Pretty. Prettily. 
 Vicinity. Asperity. Liberality. Equity. Iniquity. Assi- 
 duity. Acidity, Severity. Civility. Animosity. Stupidity. 
 
102 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Fidelity. Purity. Cruelty. Credulity. Tranquility. Enor- 
 mity. Photograph. Phonograph. Autograph. Lithograph. 
 Telegraph. Mimeograph. Photography. Phonography. 
 Orthography. Geography. Motive. Executive. Consec- 
 utive. Relative. Sedative. Indicative. Talkative, Leg- 
 islative. Comparative. Decorative. Forward. Afterward. 
 Rearward. Eastward. Upward. Downward. Outward. 
 Northward. Specialty. Interposition. Interference. In- 
 tervention. Transgression. Transcend. Accordeon. Cor- 
 morant. 
 
 Page 66. — I will be. I will be there. I do. We do not. 
 He has. He has been. He had. I have been. We 
 have been. We are. We are sure. He is. He is not. 
 You are. We are to go. I receive. We receive. We see. 
 You receive. Who was. Where is he? To be. To me. 
 To which. To know. To us. At any. To our. To say. 
 To see. To the. I would say. I will say that. I should 
 say. I would like. I would like to go. I would like you 
 to be. I shall have. As soon as. As soon as he is. As 
 soon as he is able. As soon as we see him. As well as. 
 As long as. As much as. As far as. As good as. As 
 great as. The time. At the time. At that time. At what 
 time. At any time. At present. At the present time. 
 You do. You did not. You know. Which is. Which is 
 to be. Would you. Will you. What is. At the same 
 time. At which time. Of which. What will you say. To 
 be there. To go there. What did you say. For you. 
 From you. To hear. Will he. Let me. Let us. Let us know. 
 He will have time. At what time will he do. Is 
 the. Is that. Is this. Is now. To be sure. So as to be. 
 So that he. So that he is not able. So that he does not. 
 Will you kindly. Will you please. With our. Will he be. 
 Must he go. Must I go. Would I be. Shall I go. For 
 me to be. For me to pay. Any more. Any other. At any 
 other time. Would he be. As early as possible. At such 
 a time. In any other. I am in. I am in receipt. Send 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 103 
 
 me. Send us. I send you. I send you herewith. Accord- 
 ing to. In accordance with. In account with. On account 
 of. You would. You will be. You will have to be. Why 
 did you stay? He would have been. I should have been. 
 On hand. He was able. I would say that we have. Which 
 would prove. Just as soon as. Just as well as. And as 
 soon as I can do so. Which is now. So as to be able. 
 And to be. I did not have time. I would have gone. For 
 which. Had been. We had been. By which. Must they 
 be. In your. In your letter. I would have seen them. 
 And will go together. I will be there soon. Will you go 
 there with us. I hand you. I hand you herewith. With 
 the. With the man. .And would. And will. And will 
 have to be. Which will necessitate. And for that reason. 
 And from that time. And at that time. And at what time. 
 And when. Let you. Some way. In some way. For 
 some time. Do something with it. Referring to yours. 
 Replying to yours. 
 
 Pages 67, 68, 6q. — 
 
 A TALE PERTAINING TO A DONKEY AND A LOAD OF SALT. 
 
 Once upon a time, at a somewhat distant period of his- 
 tory, a merchant had in his possession one of that class of 
 animals who, by reason of certain characteristics, have won 
 for themselves the reputation of being decidedly contrary. 
 In connection with his necessary commercial transactions, 
 he was accustomed, from time to time, to send this 
 diminutive specimen of his kind with a load of salt from 
 his own to a town in close proximity. The introduction of 
 this novel method of carrying on a mercantile pursuit 
 proved quite a success. The little donkey would make the 
 trip entirely alone, returning safely in the evening with a 
 reply from his master's correspondent, and his task accom- 
 plished in a most satisfactory manner. Then, with the 
 consciousness of duty well done, he would arrange to enjoy 
 a sleep "full of sweet dreams and quiet breathing" until 
 Aurora ushered in the dawn. 
 
104 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 But alas for donkey! Alas for man! One day an inci- 
 dent occurred which threatened to change the countenance 
 of things, and which, but for the transcendent knowledge, 
 or wisdom, of this enterprising merchant, would not im- 
 probably have marred the even tenor of their way for both 
 man and beast. I presume you are anxious to hear all 
 about it. But do not be impatient — I am just coming to 
 that part of this interesting narrative. 
 
 When winter had gone by, and the sultry days of sum- 
 mer came, the subject of this sketch, all unaware of the 
 impropriety of his conduct, conceived the idea of reclining 
 in a brook by the way, in order to cool off. You will under- 
 stand, of course, that this was his principal motive. The 
 execution of this design resulted in a short time in dis- 
 solving his saline burden, for, as you undoubtedly know, 
 salt has the quality, or property, perhaps I should call it, 
 of dissolving if brought in contact with a liquid. It there- 
 fore transpired that when the donkey got up to resume his 
 journey he found his load so very light that he ran along 
 quite gaily, satisfied with himself and everything else. 
 Upon his return, the merchant, who saw immediately just 
 what his donkeyship had been doing, took counsel with 
 himself after this fashion: "1 do feel sure that ever after 
 this, so long as the atmospheric conditions are conducive, 
 the donkey will continue to lie down in that brook. That 
 would be of no advantage whatever to my business, for I 
 would lose a great deal of money by it. 1 do not want to 
 have a controversy with him, neither do I care to inflict on 
 him any unnecessary pain; but I must adopt some method 
 of procedure — contrive some means by which I can coun- 
 teract this tendency, and point out to him the imprudence 
 of his course. Otherwise he will no longer prove a finan- 
 cial success." Accordingly, on the following day, he had 
 our little friend loaded with sponges, and the gentle little 
 fellow trotted along contentedly with them, not being cog- 
 nizant of the conspiracy against him. As soon as he 
 reached the brook, he complacently repeated his perform- 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 105 
 
 ance of yesterday, which had on that occasion been pro- 
 ductive of so much satisfaction, but which did not on the 
 present one result in such good fortune. As you have 
 doubtless anticipated, the sponges had received, or absorbed 
 rather, their greatest capacity of water, and he found the 
 process of rising a thing very difficult of accomplishment. 
 Furthermore, it began to look as though it would be an 
 imperative necessity that he remain in the brook. No de- 
 scription of mine, however graphic, can portray to you the 
 donkey's predicament— nothing short of a photograph 
 could possibly do so. Finally, a man, whose appearance on 
 the scene at this time was no intrusion, full of commisera- 
 tion for the little animal, whom he recognized as an old ac- 
 quaintance, without waiting for the receipt of a special re- 
 quest, or to examine into the seemingly intricate circum- 
 stances, came to his assistance, extricating him from his 
 dilemma and sending him on his way rejoicing. Forward 
 went our little friend, very crestfallen, but full of thankful- 
 ness for his timely delivery. Great was the contrast be- 
 tween this return and that of the previous day. Never- 
 more did he seek refuge from the sun's rays in the cooling 
 waters of the brook, not deeming it prudent to risk a like 
 experience. And the merchant, satisfied with the success 
 of his scheme, which had been even greater than he had 
 imagined, soliloquized thus: "People in general regard the 
 donkey as dumb, but it must be seen that he is sufficiently 
 intelligent to profit by experience. One can never induce 
 a donkey to go a second time upon the ice." 
 
 This short story, which to many among you is by no 
 means unfamiliar, goes to prove the truth and importance 
 of an old saying, which is, in effect, that we must not by 
 any means think that that which works satisfactorily in one 
 case, will consequently be productive of equally favorable 
 results in another. 
 
io6 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Page 70. — Des Moines, Iowa, March 26th, 1895. 
 Mr. Franklin Murphy, 
 
 Newark, New Jersey. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 We have your favor of the 22nd inst. We 
 will sell you a stove at our regular catalog list price^ 
 provided you are willing to pay 60 per cent, in cash, and 
 for the remaining 40 per cent, we will give you an adver- 
 tisement. Kindly advise us by early mail what is your de- 
 cision in regard to our proposition. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 Beloit, Kansas, June 25th, 1894. 
 Mr. L. C. Coo ley, 
 
 Emporia, Kansas. 
 My dear Sir, — 
 
 Enclosed I hand you your note for §7.95 
 duly canceled, together with official receipt for quarterly 
 premium due June 5th, on your policy, No. 374,279. 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 Wellington, Kansas, September 30th, 1894. 
 John Johnson, Esq., 
 
 Lawrence, Kansas. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 Please advise me as early as possible what 
 you have done with the various farms which I placed in 
 your hands some time ago for sale or rent. 1 have not had 
 any report from you for several months, and I desire to 
 know whether the farms are rented. If not, why not? If 
 rented, to whom, and at what prices, and for what length of 
 time? 
 
 How is the wheat in your section, and what will probably 
 be the yield? 
 
 Your reply by an early mail will greatly oblige 
 Yours truly. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 107 
 
 Page 71. — Salina, Kansas, November 12, 1895. 
 
 Hon. B. F, Brown, 
 
 Oskaloosa, Kansas. 
 My dear Brown,— 
 
 Your recent favor was received this 
 morning, and I have considered very carefully all you say. 
 I may be obliged to go to Kansas City sometime during the 
 present week, and if so, shall endeavor to stop off between 
 trains and see you. I note your instructions as to the best 
 method of reaching you after arriving at Oskaloosa. Will 
 talk over matters with you then. 
 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 Pittsburg, Pa., July 20, 1894. 
 Rev. C. F. H. Whitney, 
 
 Kansas City, Kansas. 
 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 Yours of recent date, addressed to our Cin- 
 cmnati house, has been referred to us. We can not furnish 
 "Adam's Secret" at fifty cents. This is a $1.50 book. We 
 should be glad to furnish it to you for ninety cents net, in 
 orders of one dozen copies or more. 
 
 We express to you to-day one copy "Pleasant Corner 
 Stories," list price, Si. 00, and net price to you, sixty cents; 
 also some miscellaneous cheap books; regular price, sixty 
 cents; there are thirty different titles; we will make them 
 to you at thirty-seven and one-half cents net, you paying 
 all express charges. 
 
 Kindly examine these books, and let us hear from you 
 by return mail; we are sure that we can satisfy you, even if 
 you find nothing among these samples that meets your re- 
 quirements. 
 
 If you decide to order, do so as early as you can. 
 Yours very respectfully. 
 
io8 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Page y2. — Rochester, New York, Dec. 2, 1894. 
 Messrs. Shaw (S^-• Co., 
 
 Kingman, Kansas. 
 Dear Sirs, — 
 
 We have your favor of the 29th ult. We 
 presume this letter was delayed on account of the strike. 
 
 As per your request we send you herewith catalog of 
 our typewriter, and in a few days will send you some cir- 
 cular advertising matter. We will make you a special 
 price of $85.00 cash, thirty days, and shall be glad to ship 
 you a machine, by express, on trial, upon your agreeing to 
 pay the express charges, in case you should not keep it. 
 We have no agents in your immediate vicinity, and shall 
 be pleased to make arrangements with you, if you decide 
 to purchase a machine. 
 
 In the short time we have been in business, we have 
 been quite successful in disposing of our machines, and we 
 find them to give very good satisfaction. We guarantee 
 every machine sold, for six months from date of sale, and 
 we believe that time will only show the durability of our 
 typewriter. 
 
 Hoping to hear from you by return mail, we remain. 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 RiNCON, New Mexico, Feb. 9th, 1895. 
 Geo. E. Dougherty, 
 
 Topeka, Kansas. 
 My dear Sir, — 
 
 Replying to your letters of Dec. nth and 
 Jan. 7th, I am sorry to say that at the present time I 
 am not able to take up the study, but I think I shall be 
 able to take it up before long. 1 have looked over your 
 system, and find it very simple. As soon as I can get time, 
 I shall try some of the exercises, and send them to you. 
 Respectfully yours. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 109 
 
 Page 7j>. — Jersey City, N. J., April 9, 1895. 
 
 Frank H. Roberts, Esq., 
 
 Oswego, Nebraska. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 We are in receipt of yours of the 24th ult., 
 and the writer, who has charge of this department, regrets 
 that absence from the city prevented him from attending 
 to it before. If not too late, please consider this proposi- 
 tion of yours accepted. We enclose herewith specimen of 
 each of our three magazines, and if it is not too late to 
 take advantage of your offer you can arrange the matter to 
 your own liking. Please send us a copy of your book when 
 issued. Yours sincerely, 
 
 San Francisco, Calif., May 3rd, 1894. 
 Prof. I. D. Hamilton, 
 
 Supt. Public Instruction, 
 Millersville, Pa . 
 My dear Sir, — 
 
 Your letter of the 13th inst. is at hand 
 and contents noted. We are pleased to send you copies of 
 our new text books on Grammar, Arithmetic and Geogra- 
 phy, and we trust the same will be duly received, and that 
 you will find the works suited to your needs. After you 
 have had opportunity to examine same, kindly let us know 
 your opinion of them and, also the prospects for their 
 adoption in your schools. 
 
 Awaiting your further favors, we are 
 
 Yours very respectfully. 
 
 Page y4. — Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Oct. 9, 1894. 
 Mrs. Arthur E. Fink, 
 
 Atchison, Kansas. 
 My dear Madam,— 
 
 Referring to your note of inquiry of 
 the 3d inst., which has just been handed me by Mr. 
 Brown, I send you herewith a copy of my book, which will 
 
no BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 answer all your questions, and do so more at length than 
 would be possible to do in a brief communication. 
 
 I thank you for your kind wishes, and must say that I 
 am delighted with my reception here and my new work. I 
 shall write you more fully in a day or two, and hope to hear 
 from you frequently. 
 
 With kind regards, 1 remain 
 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 Detroit, Michigan, January 3, 1895. 
 Mr. John A . Sprague, 
 
 J12 Delaware St., 
 
 Kansas City, Missouri. 
 Dear Sir, — 
 
 Replying to your letter of the 25th ult., 
 which is just received, would state that we think within a 
 few days we can get our iron foundry trade in definite 
 shape. We are arranging with the holders of the incum- 
 brance to fix a definite period of extension, which will be 
 done as soon as we can reach one of the parties who re- 
 sides somewhere in the East, and who at last reports, a few 
 days ago, was not to be found. We are expecting very 
 soon, however, to have that matter adjusted, and then we 
 are sure that we can have papers made out, so that you can 
 fix up your mortgage. In the meantime, we trust that you 
 will not be hasty in your action with reference to this case, 
 but that you will be as lenient with us as possible under 
 the circumstances. Yours truly, ^ 
 
 Page 7J.— St. Louis, Missouri, Sept. 22, 1894. 
 
 The Ledger Publishing Company, 
 
 Syracuse, Arkansas. 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 Your order for ten tons book stock, "flat 
 
 in frames," received. The same has been forwarded to the 
 
 mill with instructions to hurry shipment as much as possible. 
 
 In regard to your previous order for four hundred reams 
 
 of 35 X 48—90, would say that there has been a break in the 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. i" 
 
 machinery, and that accounts for its tardy delivery. Sorry 
 you were inconvenienced, but trust that such a delay will 
 not occur in the future. 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 Denver, Colorado, March 4, 1895. 
 Fourth National Bank, 
 
 St. Paul, Minnesota. 
 Gentlemen, — 
 
 A Mr. H. E. Brewer, who represents him- 
 self to be a real estate agent of your city, has called on us 
 recently for the purpose of obtaining a loan of $8,000, se- 
 cured on some real estate in your city. Mr. Brewer repre- 
 sents this property, which is located at 740 Arapahoe St.. 
 as worth $20,000 to $30,000. 
 
 Of course we know nothing of this gentleman, but as he 
 names you as reference, we take the liberty of asking what 
 you can tell us about him, and would also like your opinion 
 as to the value of the property in question. How far from 
 the business part of the city is it? An early reply will be 
 appreciated. 
 
 Thanking you in advance for whatever information you 
 may be able to give us, we are 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 Pages 76,77. — Sample of Court Testimony. 
 
 T. B. Parker, a witness called in behalf of plaintiff, be- 
 ing first duly sworn, testified as follows: 
 
 Direct exammation by Mr. Mann. 
 
 Q. Please state your name and age. A. T, B. Parker; 
 44 years. 
 
 Q. Where do you reside, and what is your occupation? 
 A. Wichita; real estate agent. 
 
 Q. Do you know the parties to this suit, and if so, how 
 long have you known them, respectively? A. I have 
 known the plaintiff for ten years and the defendant for 
 about four years. 
 
«i2 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 Q. Look at the paper now shown you and state what it 
 is. A. This is a note for $10,000.00 made by the defendant, 
 John Jenkins, dated January ist, 1885, due three years — 
 
 Mr. Rogers: I object to the witness stating the sub- 
 stance of the paper; the note is the best possible evidence 
 of its contents. 
 
 The Court: The witness may describe the paper suffi- 
 ciently to identify it; the contents can be proven by parol, 
 
 Mr. Mann: That is true; I did not ask the witness to 
 give the contents of the written instrument. I now offer 
 this note in evidence as plaintiff's "Exhibit A." I also offer 
 in evidence a mortgage from defendant to plaintiff, of even 
 date with the note, and given to secure the same, as plain- 
 tiff's "Exhibit B." 
 
 Q. State if you know what amount is due the plaintiff 
 on this note. 
 
 Mr. Rogers: State what you know of your own knowl- 
 edge. 
 
 Mr. Mann: Or what you have heard defendant say 
 about the amount due. 
 
 A. There was due and unpaid on the first day of Jan- 
 uary, 1889, the principal sum of §10,000.00 and one year's 
 interest at six per cent, §600.00. 
 
 Q. What is your means of knowledge as to the amount 
 due? A. The defendant, John Jenkins, just before this suit 
 was commenced, stated to me that he had never paid the 
 note or the last year's interest on the same. 
 
 Q. State as nearly as you are able when this conversa- 
 tion took place, and where it was. A. It was in the early 
 part of January of this year, and in my office. 
 
 Cross examination by Mr. Rogers. 
 
 Q. Have you any knowledge as to the consideration of 
 this note? A. No, sir. 
 
 Q. Were you present when the note and mortgage were 
 executed, or did you have anything to do with that trans- 
 action? A. 1 was not present and I had nothing whatever 
 to do with the matter. 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. ii3, 
 
 Q. Do you mean to be understood as saying that the de- 
 fendant, Jenkins, admitted that he owed the plaintii? Sio,- 
 600.00 in January, 1889? A. Mr. Jenkins told me that he 
 had not paid this note or the last year's interest thereon. 
 
 Q. What other conversation, if any, took place between 
 you and Mr. Jenkins at the time he made this statement, as 
 you say, in your office in January last? A. I can't remem- 
 ber all that we said; there was considerable conversation 
 between us. 
 
 Q. Did Mr. Jenkins say to you in that conversation that 
 the reason he did not pay the note in question was because 
 he had a good defense? A. I think he did say something 
 of that kind. 
 
 Page 78. — The metal for the Vendome Column was ob- 
 tained by melting twelve hundred cannon which had been 
 captured from the Russians and Austrians. The sun's rays 
 penetrate the filth, but remain pure ; so the honest man may 
 live amid corruption and be uncorrupted. "If a man emp- 
 ties his purse into his head, no one can take it away from 
 him," says Franklin; "an investment in knowledge always 
 pays the best interest." A tart temper never mellows with 
 age, and a sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows 
 keener with constant use. — Irving. 
 
 I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to 
 myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the 
 seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a 
 smoother pebble or prettier shell than ordinary, while the 
 great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. — Sir 
 Isaac Newton. 
 
 What is twice read is commonly better remembered 
 than what is transcribed. — Johnson. 
 
 No one with books e'er needs to be alone: 
 More powerful than the monarch on his throne. 
 He has in stately tomes at his command 
 The wise and great of every age and land. 
 How empty learning and how vain is art, 
 But as it mends the life and guides the heart. 
 
114 BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 
 
 What can be done at any time is never done. 
 He conquers twice who conquers himself. 
 Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast. 
 
 Pages 79-81. — The Greatness of Napoleon. — There 
 are different orders of greatness. Among these, the 
 first rank is unquestionably due to w<9ra/ greatness, or mag- 
 nanimity; to that sublime energy by which the soul, smit- 
 ten with the love of virtue, binds itself indissolubly, for life 
 and for death, to truth and duty; espouses as its own the 
 interests of human nature; scorns all meanness and defies 
 all peril; hears in its own conscience a voice louder than 
 threatenings and thunders; withstands all the powers of the 
 universe which would sever it from the cause of freedom 
 and religion; reposes an unfaltering trust in God in the 
 darkest hour; and is ever "ready to be offered up" on the 
 altar of its country or of mankind. 
 
 Next to moral comes intellectual greatness, or genius in 
 the highest sense of that word; and by this we mean that 
 sublime capacity of thought through which the soul, smit- 
 ten with the love of the true and the beautiful, essays to 
 comprehend the universe, soars into the heavens, pene- 
 trates the earth, penetrates itself, questions the past, antic- 
 ipates the future, traces out the general and all-compre- 
 hending laws of nature, binds together by innumerable 
 affinities and relations all the objects of its knowledge, 
 rises from the finite and transient to the infinite and ever- 
 lasting; frames to itself, from its own fulness, lovelier and 
 sublimer forms than it beholds; discerns the harmonies be- 
 tween the world within and the world without us; and finds 
 in every region of the universe types and interpreters of 
 its own deep mysteries and glorious inspirations. This is 
 the greatness which belongs to philosophers and to the 
 master-spirits in poetry and the fine arts. 
 
 Next comes the greatness of action; and by this we 
 mean the sublime power of conceiving bold and extensive 
 plans, of constructing and bringing to bear on a mighty 
 
BRIEF SYSTEM OF SHORTHAND. 115 
 
 object a complicated machinery of means, energies and 
 arrangements, and of accomplishing great outward effects. 
 To this head belongs the greatness of Bonaparte; and 
 that he possessed it we need not prove, and none will be 
 hardy enough to deny. A man who raised himself from 
 obscurity to a throne; who changed the face of the world; 
 who made himself felt through powerful and civilized na- 
 tions; who sent the terror of his name across seas and 
 oceans; whose will was pronounced and feared as destiny; 
 whose donatives were crowns; whose ante-chamber was 
 thronged by submissive princes; who broke down the awful 
 barrier of the Alps, and made them a highway; and whose 
 fame was spread beyond the boundaries of civilization to 
 the steppes of the Cossack and the deserts of the Arab — 
 a man who has left this record of himself in history has 
 taken out of our hands the question whether he shall be 
 called great. All must concede to him a sublime power of 
 action — an energy equal to great effects. — IV.E. Channing. 
 
 For the carpenter's hand there is the saw, and for the 
 smith's hand, the hammer; for the farmer's hand, the plow; 
 for the miner's hand, the spade; for the sailor's hand, the 
 oar; for the painter's hand, the brush; for the sculptor's 
 hand, the chisel; for the poet's hand, the pen. For each of 
 us there is some instrument we may learn to handle: for us 
 all there is the command, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth ta 
 do, do it with thy m\^\.."— Wilson. 
 
 Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and 
 take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh, 
 and consider. To be real is better than to be royal. 
 
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