Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1891 — Fortune-Telling by Short-hand. [ARTICLE]

Fortune-Telling by Short-hand.

I *“ • ’J This Interesting article was sent us recently by Prof. Moral, of St. Louis, who has been engaged to conduct our Special Class: Some reporters use Short-hand for “telling fortunes.” Make a mark never so simple >nd it will be sure to mean tomething in short-hand t This is true and has been tried hundreds of times. It la supposed yonr pencil is guided by fate, and the words written are indicative of what you will do, have or become. A school teacher once wrote “million.” A candidate for office wrote “Salt Creek,” and was sent up it soon afterwards! A lazy fellow wrote “shirk;” a student, “knowledge?” A school girl wrote “tall fellow,” and seemed satisfied! This sort of “for-tune-telling,” which may be indulged in st social gatherings, is often quite amusing. We knew a “smart Aleck” who, as soon as . Short-hand became popular, made pretense that he knew all about it. He managed to get pcs- ' • session of a letter written in characters, da'.m- . Ing that he received it from one of his shorthand correspondents. He would often astonish people who knew no better, by taking his pencil and jerking off a few crooked marks which ho would make believe meant “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Policy of the Administration,” “General George Washington,” etc. Once pretending to write the Scriptural passage, “Wisdom is justified of her children,” a reporter by chance was present. The marks produced by “Aleck,” it so happened, read as follows: “I am adunoe!” The smart young man. In this case, though he told a lie, had at least written the truth! Our Special Class.—We wish to add a few words to what Prof. Moran has written. The young folks who join our class will find there are many interesting "points” about Short-hand. It is a fascinating study, and so “handy” when learned, that of all the many short-hand writers we have met, riot one expressed the slightest regret on account of the time and expense required In mastering it. We are glad to say our Special Class promises to be a success In every way. When the course is completed, our students can not only “tell fortunes,” but also make them, by means of Short-hand. luese letsous will begin in this paper the first issue in March.