Chapter 1

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SILVER LINKS

A COLLECTION OF SALUTATORY, VALEDICTORY AND OTHER ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE FIRST FIVE COMMENCEMENTS OF THE FEMALE STENOGRAPHIC AND TYPEWRITING CLASS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY OF MECHANICS AND TRADESMEN OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

COMPILED BY W. L. MASON

NEW YORK ALBERT B. KING, 89 WILLIAM STREET 1892

TO MR. ISAAC PITMAN THE "FATHER OF PHONOGRAPHY" THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE COMPILER

Introductory Note

It is always beautiful to see the young confront the uncertainties of the future, and look forward with faith to happiness and success. I am proud of young women who are willing to devote their evenings, when they must toil for a livelihood through the day, to a course of study which will secure to them the knowledge of a mechanical art. This knowledge becomes a treasure which no disaster of fire or flood can ever destroy, and a source of comfortable income through life. It makes dependent young women independent, and I congratulate every one who graduates from this excellent school of instruction with her well-earned diploma, which is more valuable to her than any legacy of gold or precious stones.

Martha J Lamb

New York City, April 16, 1892.

Address of Rev. C. S. Harrower, D. D.

_To the Class of '87._

"Ladies of the graduating class,--Ladies and Gentlemen: It seems as if words were hardly in place to-night, because of the interesting programme which is before you. I suppose we have no conception of the exercises prepared for us this evening. I never knew of this Institution until Mr. Moore told me of it, and I am particularly glad to be here.

"I have often remarked that our New York life is like the life of one of our great rivers,--the Hudson. Did you ever live upon its banks and look away upon its stretch of water to the south or to the north; count its sails, and its tugs, and its fleets of canal boats and all its life,--for half an hour fascinated by the beautiful scene; and then go away to your work, or to your pleasure, for a few hours, and return and look upon that great stretch of river and see that other sails had taken the place of those first sails, and other vessels were coming into view, indicating the marvelous life of that mighty stream? I did that, year after year, and it seems to me that the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen is like the mighty river Hudson, doing its work day after day and year after year,--a work that seems to me to be so useful and inspiring.

"The gentlemen interested in this Society are to be congratulated. It seems to me that such an Institution as this is among the most beautiful, among the most stimulating of all institutions that mark our civilization."

Dr. Harrower then spoke of the serious consequences which often follow the carelessness of a lawyer, the blunder of a switchman, the neglect of a servant, or the indolence of a physician, and, in contrast, dwelt upon the beneficent results attained by close attention to duty, explaining also how great good arises from even very trifling acts. He also remarked how strange it is that some people have every chance of getting on in this world, while others are "mortgaged to begin with," and hampered and chained through life.

"But," said he, in conclusion, "it seems to me that this Society is engaged in a work that is characteristic of the civilization to which we belong, and is following after our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who lived not to serve Himself, but the world. I congratulate you, young ladies, that when you were put upon your trial it was found that you had been laboring in the race of life; and to-night you are to receive the signal token of the skill you have attained, and of the favor in which you stand in this school."

Salutatory Address

BY MISS S. J. SIRINE.

_Class of '87._

In meeting you this evening, gentlemen of the Committee and friends, we, the members of the Classes in Shorthand and Typewriting, experience a double pleasure. First, is the satisfaction that we have accomplished the task which we undertook last October, and the consciousness that we are about to go forth carrying our diplomas as proof that the Winter has been well spent, and that we are master of a very fascinating and important art; and, secondly, we feel the delightful sensation of being highly complimented at the kindly interest taken in the Class displayed by those present this evening.

We sincerely hope that the exercises of the evening, and the gratitude of the teachers and class, feebly expressed through this channel, will be ample proof to you of our appreciation of the compliment conveyed by your presence, and trust that we shall continue to receive your good wishes for our success; that we shall go forth into the business world making good use of our profession, and worthy of the interest in our progress displayed by the Committee and friends of this Society, and of the care and attention bestowed on us by our teachers.

To my classmates, cordial congratulations that we can meet to-night, and, comparing notes, find that the report for the Winter is goodly evidence of time well spent; that, in spite of what at first appeared to be the insurmountable obstacle of the alphabet, we plodded bravely on to the primer, and from the slowly and carefully drawn outlines of familiar words, we entered at last into the spirit of our art, and with pencils tipped, as it were, with electricity, learned to catch the swiftly flowing words from the lips of the speaker, and to present them in a tangible form, ready for future reference. So also with typewriting. Though the unruly instrument at first persisted in spelling "cat" t-a-c, and always put an interrogation point where a period ought to be; still, with patient perseverance, cheered by the inspiring words of our teacher: "I used to do the same thing," and filled with envy at his display of skill, we took fresh hope, tried again, and, as we were told we should,--succeeded. The pleasure of the art of shorthand, more than any other, is not confined alone to the artist. You all know the important offices in business life which shorthand fills; of its importance to the press and all departments of the literary world, it is not necessary to speak. From the eloquent words of gifted speakers to the eagerly watched for words of the President's Message; from the business letter in the merchant's office to the words of the witness on the witness stand; our art fulfills its important mission of giving to others the pleasure and satisfaction which are experienced on hearing them.

This evening forty more are added to the list of American writers of the Isaac Pitman Phonography. It is to be hoped that none of us shall ever, in any way, be the means of bringing reproach on our art; but rather that we shall work to make many improvements, that we shall help to prove its value in the different departments of business into which it enters, and ere another fifty years shall cause the trumpet of Jubilee to sound throughout the land, this class of Isaac Pitman phonographers shall have been the means of bringing to ripe perfection the system of Phonography.

Valedictory Address

BY MISS N. C. STEPHENS.

_Class of '87._

"The Spirit of the Time shall teach me speed," says Shakespeare.

How truly that applies to the present day, when one might say we are living, as it were, in an age of rapidity, and cannot fail to catch the infection, for the very air seems filled with it. Competition is met with on all sides, and, in many branches of toil, "the race _is_ to the swift."

Contrast the world of a hundred years back with the world of to-day.

These people were satisfied to plod along in the good old way which their fathers had trod before them; content because they knew no better, and the times demanded no better.

But, think you, would the simple appliances used then, meet the demands of to-day?

No! decidedly, no! I hear you say. Why, may I ask? Simply because the necessity makes the demand, and the _necessity_ is the ever-advancing spirit of to-day, which urges all to attain something that will not only benefit themselves, and be an incentive to others, but will enlighten and ennoble the coming generation as well.

But the world has made rapid progress and if we would keep pace with it, we must call to our aid every known means of saving time and labor.

And not the least among the many methods and inventions for this purpose is Phonography or shorthand, which is finding a place in almost every branch of business.

Man's thoughts fly faster than his fingers, and it is only by the "wingéd words" of Phonography that the hand is enabled to keep pace with the mind. Almost inseparably connected with shorthand, is the typewriter.

These two go hand in hand. What a boon they have proved to the busy merchant, the lawyer and the literary man!

To this end, the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, recognizing the growing demands for the use of Phonography and typewriting, added to their already large benevolence a class for the study of these branches.

And it is to this Society we owe a debt of gratitude which words are inadequate to express.

Our hearts are full, and "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaketh."

Especially to the School Committee would we convey our grateful thanks for the interest you have manifested in the Class; and for the kindness and consideration with which you have met all our wants, doing all in your power to facilitate our studies.

We trust that our success in the future may be such as will reflect credit on this Society.

To our teachers, Mr. Mason and Mr. Spaulding, you who have so well performed your part, we hardly know how to thank you for your patient and persistent efforts to fit us for the calling we have chosen. Taking up this work after the fatigue of the day, with body and brain already wearied, _your_ task, as well as _ours_, has been a difficult one.

But you have ever been ready with words of encouragement to help us over the hard places. Faithful, conscientious, you have gained our respect and esteem, and we feel that in parting to-night we bid good-by not only to teachers, but to earnest, helpful friends. And yet, not a final good-by. For, are we not looking forward to many pleasant meetings of the "Phonographic Alumnæ Association," when you have promised to meet with us, and by your presence aid and encourage us to continue our practice and by united efforts help one another?

For we believe the old maxim is true in this connection as in many others,--"In union is strength."

Fellow classmates: For seven months we have met and studied together; and now that the term is over it is with mingled feelings of joy and regret that we meet to-night for the last time in this place.

Joy that our task is done; that the time to which we have looked forward has come; for to many it has been a severe strain to continue to the end. _We_ alone know the difficulties we have had to contend with; the pleasures given up and the sacrifices made to be present at the class.

But who shall say it has not fully repaid us? Is not this knowledge we have gained all the more precious because so dearly obtained?

Some have already begun to reap the reward, others are eagerly looking forward to the time when they shall be able to put this knowledge into actual practice.

With what bright anticipations we took up the study of Phonography last October!

But what a mountain loomed up before us in the shape of the alphabet. Then the strokes and curves, and circles, how we puzzled our brains over which was which, and how proud we were when we began to form words and to air our knowledge of these mystic signs; only to be met with such questions as these, "How many words can you write a minute?" or, "Do you think you could take down a sermon?" "Let me dictate this piece from the newspaper to you," all of which made us feel how limited was our knowledge and how much we had still to learn.

Then the examinations; how they hung over our heads like dark clouds threatening us at every turn!

But that is all past and gone, and time, with its never ebbing tide, has brought us to this parting hour.

What our future will be depends upon our own individual efforts. Let us remember: "What is worth doing is worth doing well."

In climbing the ladder of fame, let us gain a firm footing on the bottom round, then, if we fail to reach the top, we will, nevertheless, command the respect of our fellow beings.

Thoughts on Graduation

BY MISS S. J. SIRINE.

_Class of '87._

At last all the lessons are ended, Our pencils and books laid away; And gathered to-night in the class-room There are many young hearts blithe and gay. There are loving congratulations From classmate, and teacher, and friend; A smile! Then a sigh at the parting, And the feeling that this is the end.

It is pleasant to know we are through, though, Yet saddening to know we must part; And 'mid the light jest and the laughter, Comes a sharp touch of pain in each heart. There's a hush in the happy assemblage, While a prayer is upraised to the Throne, And "We thank Thee, our Father," is uttered,-- And the minister speaks not alone.

For the tokens of love and remembrance, And kind wishes expressed for our weal, We would thank our dear friends and our teachers, And voice the affection we feel. And we thank Thee for these many blessings; Yet most for the blessing that we Can, by striving, attain to perfection And Thy mercy and tenderness see.

Address of Rev. N. B. Thompson

_To the Class of '88._

I assure you that it is with a great deal of personal pride, satisfaction and comfort, that I come before you to-night. These are my girls,--that is, I am the father of this class. Several months ago when this class was organized, a gentleman, not myself, was invited to come here and offer prayer, and give the young ladies a few common sense ideas, such as would benefit them in after life. My friend failing to come, I was called upon to fill his place, which I did to the best of my ability, and when I look over this programme and find that there are more than forty in this class who are to graduate to-night, I take it upon myself to say that they received some very sound advice, for they are about to graduate; that is, I have made forty-four converts, at least, in seven months.

I am very glad to have opened this class, although I have had nothing to do with the instruction of it, for in that event the graduating class would not be so large, but I do feel very great pride in being here.

Were I so disposed, and you very anxious to be tired with a long address, I could say a great many things touching the real purpose and idea of these young ladies and their instructors. There was a time in the history of the world when it was a very grave and serious question as to just what the position of woman was in society; what God meant by her creation, what was her place. There are some men who think the highest ambition of woman is the wash-tub; that when she finds her vocation there she has fulfilled her mission, and when God has prepared a place for her in the Kingdom of Heaven, He takes her home, and gives her a diploma. There are others who have an idea that the place for woman is a little higher up; that she is to bask in the sunshine of life--that she is a kind of butterfly. That is an erroneous idea. I think personally, and I am sure there are not men enough here to out-number the ladies, that the position of woman in this life, socially, politically, religiously, or in a mercantile sense, is right alongside of the best man the world can produce.

I remember, while pastor of a church in an Eastern city, the smartest man and preacher of that city was a woman. She was a man in every sense of the word, she had the power of a man and the charms of a beautiful woman; I was a little jealous of her, because her church was a little too close to mine and she drew a great many more. She was a beautiful, godly woman, and took out of me some of the false ideas and thoughts that I had, relative to the work of woman in the world. So I have lost all sense of jealousy, and I am perfectly willing to be deposed by the women, and there is no true man but will give the women just as good as he wants in his life.

I was thinking, when I took up this programme, there is a certain society of a secret order that has a motto like this: "By these signs we conquer." That is a very wide and universal order, but, if I mistake not, there are forty-four members of a society not as universally known, its extent is not as large as that order and society, who are to go out into the world and, "by these signs, conquer." The latter is just as potent as the former. I told you, young ladies, some months ago, about a system of shorthand and the first experience I had in that line. Some of you will remember it. You will remember I told you about a system of shorthand that I had to read before it got cold or I could not read it at all.

I want to congratulate you for this delightful evening; I want to congratulate you in view of the pleasant exercises you are to behold. I want to congratulate these instructors for the very good and efficient work they have done during these months. I congratulate you upon the marvelous work that has been done. You may not all be called upon to report my sermons; some can report 120 words, some more, some less. You are going out into the world, some of you immediately, to begin your life work. Do not feel, because you are a woman, that some aristocratic specimen of creation--man--looks down upon you. Just hold your neck as straight and your head as high as he, and I do not know but you would be par excellence above the man himself; you have an opportunity.

There is one thing I regret, however, in regard to your special calling, and it is this: I read advertisements in the papers where employers advertise for young lady typewriters and stenographers and it has pained me to see the low rate of wages, oftentimes. Let me put a bee in your ear. You are in possession of one of the greatest sciences I know; there is nothing above it in the realm of learning. Do not for one minute submit yourself, any one of you, to a service below your worth, for God has implanted in His Word this truth, "Every laborer is worthy of his hire."

I thank the gentleman who has invited me here. When I become older than I am now and fail in preaching, I assure you I shall come to this home of hospitality and kindness, and shall try to take up the art myself, thereby becoming as efficient as some of you are.

God be with you and in His own time take you home to His abode where you will not be troubled with taking down the ideas of men.

Salutatory Address

BY MISS L. E. TAYLOR.

_Class of '88._

Gentlemen of the Committee, and friends, teachers and classmates: With what unbounded pleasure we greet you this evening; our task is accomplished, the goal is won. After the labors of the past seven months, assisted by the kindly interest of the Committee, and encouraged by the earnest and untiring efforts of our teachers, we have at last mastered that wonderful art, stenography, which will enable us to go forth from here, possessing an accomplishment the benefits of which are many. This art, the outgrowth of one great mind, that of Mr. Isaac Pitman, is of the utmost importance to the members of the press, of the legal profession, and the business man, as well as in all branches of literary work. Ordinarily, we hear words, but this science enables us to use them; thus they actually assume another form, as it were, and are deeply impressed on our minds and thus ineradicably memorized. My classmates, we meet to-night to prove that patient effort on the part of teacher and pupil has not been in vain; that our busy Winter has left us rich in knowledge of this noble art, and that, though oftentimes discouraged in our progress through the alphabet forward through the intricacies of dots and dashes, hooks and circles, and outlines dark and light, over these apparently insurmountable barriers we have reached the height on which our hopes and our ambitions had been centered during our daily pilgrimage toward it. So has it been with typewriting. At first we made many mistakes, such as making an interrogation mark where the period was necessary, thus questioning Mr. Jones' or Mr. Smith's right to his name instead of asserting the fact; or striking a letter instead of the space-board, and vice versa. The result left the astonished beholder in doubt whether the word produced were a representative of the Chinese or the Choctaw language. But now we have overcome these difficulties. Sustained by the kind encouragement of our teacher we have struggled bravely until we are enabled to write on the machine readily, and with rapidity, from dictation, and our vernacular can now be recognized as English, without any difficulty. We sincerely hope that the exercises of the evening may interest you and may show our appreciation of the instruction and innumerable benefits which have been conferred upon us by this Society. We are now prepared to take our place in the rank and file of the world's army of workers. The elevating and benevolent influence of stenography and typewriting in the life of women is becoming more and more recognized. What the sewing machine is to the needle, shorthand is to the pen, and, in the great future, the world shall see and acknowledge the vast importance of this economizer of time and labor.

Yes, another forty of us are ready to use these servants of hand and pen which the generosity of this Society has placed at our disposal, and we hope to do so worthily. May we, by our subsequent efforts and future progress, show that none of us will bring reproach on the noble art which we have adopted, or on the Institution to which we shall owe our future success and our chosen profession. Rather let us help to prove its value in the different branches to which we may be called.

Class Poem

BY MISS A. L. COX.

_Class of '88._

I did not come prepared to make an address here to-night, But when I see you all, dear friends, 'tis such a pleasant sight, I can't refrain, but feel that I _must_ say a word or two, And give a hearty welcome, yes, to every one of you. A little band, we gathered here upon this very spot; Just eight short months ago it is, since then we cast our lot Together for our Winter's work: resolved that we would try Our best to win; with hopes and purposes and aims set high, We went to work. The opening lecture seemed so clear and plain, That we could almost grasp the prize we were so sure to gain. First came the alphabet. But we in sad dismay found out That was an obstacle indeed that we could scarce surmount. At last we thought we had it; yes, were sure we knew it all. "You may each one recite it." Hark! it was our teacher's call. Just imagine how we did it? You will guess it nearly right. And then to say it backward! Were you e'er in such a plight? Then we studied till (I mean it) e'en the paper on the wall, Each door, and sash, and picture frame, and objects one and all, In strokes and angles fairly danced before our very eyes, And in our dreams they haunted us in every form and size.