Social Life Part 77

I accept your apology as quite sufficient, and beg that you will give yourself no further uneasiness over so unavoidable an occurrence.

I am, sincerely,

GERTRUDE MASON.

Notes of Postponement

are always to be sent when the necessity arises for deferring any social gathering. Write them promptly, and explain the unavoidable reasons for the postponement; for example:

DEAR MRS. BRIGGS:

It is with great regret that I inform you that our exhibition of private theatricals is indefinitely postponed on account of the sudden and serious illness of Miss Hope Ledyard, who was the chief star of our little company.

The "Lady of Lyons," with the "Lady" left out, would be like "Hamlet," with the n.o.ble Dane missing, an impossible performance; and, as there was no one else so capable of filling the part as Miss Ledyard, we are resolved to await her recovery.

Your friend,

ELIZABETH STUART.

Notes of Request or Refusal

are frequently necessary, but care should be taken neither to make an unreasonable request, nor to return an unjustifiable refusal. Should denial seem imperative, strive to imitate that English statesman who could refuse more gracefully than others could grant. The following examples will suffice:

DEAR MRS. WINTERBLOSSOM:

You remember the little picture, a Sunset View, that I admired so much the other evening at your home? Would you have any objection to lending it to me for a copy?

Should you have even a shadow of dislike toward my proposition, do not hesitate to refuse at once. So many people are averse, and justly so, to having their paintings duplicated that I feel my request almost an impertinence.

Believe me, truly yours,

EDITH GRANGER.

Refusal to the same:

MY DEAR MISS GRANGER:

I dread to answer your note, since it must be a refusal of your request, for the little printing is the property of a friend of mine, who has left it, together with a few others, in my care during her tour in Europe. The fact that she has a morbid dislike to having duplicate copies made of her pictures, forces me to deny a request that, were the painting in question mine, I would gladly grant.

Sincerely your friend,

HELEN WINTERBLOSSOM.

Business Letters

need especial care in writing. They are to be read by men with whom time is precious and the demands upon it numerous. Hence they should be brief, clearly worded and straight to the point. Such a letter is much more certain of speedy attention and prompt returns than the rambling, incoherent missive of the unaccustomed writer. If you want ten yards of ribbon of a certain color and quality, say so, but do not lose the order in a maze of irrelevant matter; for instance:

MENDOTA, Ill., April 4, 189-.

MESSRS. BLANK & CO.

Please send me:

10 yards of black silk, at $1 per yard $10 00 14 yards of green cashmere, at 75c. per yard 10 50 1 pair black kid gloves 1 50 1 pair tan kid gloves, undressed 2 00 ------ Total $23 00

Enclosed find money order for the above amount. Goods to be sent by American Express. By filling the above order quickly as possible, you will greatly oblige,

MARY MCNETT.

Address: MRS. W.D. MCNETT, Mendota, Ill.

If there is any special reason for filling an order hastily, such as a birthday gift or wedding present, mention the fact briefly, and care will be taken that it is sent in time. Always make use of money order, draft or registered letter, when sending other than very small amounts of money by mail. Should you have anything to say in such a letter aside from the affair in hand, attend first and briefly to the matter of business, and then add whatever remarks may seem necessary.

Answers to Advertis.e.m.e.nts

should also be concisely worded, as for example:

61 DELAWARE PLACE, February 19, 189-.

MRS. GENERAL CHANNING:

Seeing your advertis.e.m.e.nt for a governess in to-day's "Herald," I wish to inform you that I am a graduate of Wellesley, and have, for the two years since being graduated, taught French and German in the college.

Any references which you may desire as to my efficiency for completing the education of your daughter will be furnished you by the College Faculty.

Hoping to hear favorably from you,

I am, respectfully,

(MISS) ELIZABETH STUART.

A letter of inquiry might be something as follows:

DR. J.H. GRATIOT:

In making some inquiries relative to the present residence of a friend of mine, Miss Grace Gage, a mutual acquaintance of ours, Mrs. Emmons B. Corth.e.l.l, of this place, gave me your address, suggesting that you could afford me the desired information.

This being the case, would you be so kind as to send the lady's present address, or, by handing her this note, permit her personally to furnish the desired information. Any communication addressed, from now on, to 1267 Madison Avenue, will find and greatly oblige,

(MISS) KATE G. c.o.x.

A letter of resignation, being a rather formal doc.u.ment, should be worded very much as follows:

_To the Directors of the Owatonna Public Library._