Having mastered the forms, the writer of a business letter should take pains to be (1) clear and (2) concise. He should tell the busy man whom he is addressing precisely what that man needs to know and nothing more.

The reply to a business letter should be prompt and definite.

Examine carefully the following business letters.

I

190 Bowdoin Street,

Worcester, Mass.,

August 16, 1905.

The Outlook Company,

287 Fourth Avenue,

New York City.

Gentlemen:

Inclosed you will find a money order for three dollars, for which please send The Outlook to my address during the coming year.

Yours truly,

Walter H. Bigelow.

II

II Boylston Street,

Boston, Mass.,

May 19, 1912.

Mr. Howard A. Edmands, Pembroke. Mass.

Dear Sir:

I have seen your "Summer Camp for Boys" advertised in the Atlantic, and shall be interested to know more about it. Kindly send me any printed matter that you have, and give additional information, if necessary, on the following points:

1. Is the number of boys limited ? If so, what is the limit ?

2. Is there a resident physician or nurse at the Camp ?

3. What is the character of the meals served ?

4. How much extra money should a boy have for spending purposes?

I should like to have at least two references from business men in this vicinity.

Yours very truly,

George H. Hilman.

III

Oakdale, Mass.,

May 19, 1912.

Messrs. Mayfield, Jones and Co., Springfield. Mass.

Gentlemen:

I wish to purchase material for a graduation dress - something durable and inexpensive. I am not sure that you do a mailorder business, but if you do, will you kindly send me samples of pure white and cream white wash dress goods which would be suitable for the purpose mentioned ? I do not care to pay more than seventy-five cents a yard.

Very truly yours,

Mary T. Green.

IV

Bates and Ellis, Attorneys-at-Law 14 Essex St., Wilkesbarre, Penn.

September 9, 1912.

Mr. E. H. Stratton,

Springville. Penn.

Dear Mr. Stratton:1

This letter is to introduce to you an acquaintance of mine, James Edgerton, who is about to enter the Springville Academy. He finds it necessary to work his way, and is anxious to secure a part-time office position. If you can put him in touch with any such opportunity, you will be helping a most deserving boy. Both Mr. Ellis and I shall appreciate anything you can do for him.

Very truly yours,

Elmer Bates.

V

3 Summer St.,

Springfield, Ohio,

June 1, 1912.

Mr. Henry L. Avery,

Springfield, Ohio.

Dear Sir:

I have been told that you sometimes employ extra assistants in your mailing department during the summer months. If you expect to hire additional help the coming season, I should like to be considered for such a position. School will close June 15, and I could begin work June 18, if necessary.

1 This salutation is a little less formal than the others in this section.

I am sixteen years old, and a junior in the high school. I should try hard to become an efficient worker, although I have had no experience in the kind of addressing that is required in your office.

I know that our principal, Mr. Charles Eldredge, would be pleased to write you in my behalf, but on account of his illness I should prefer to have you consult my English teacher, Miss Margaret Willey, if you wish a reference.

Respectfully yours,

Mary K. Burns.

VI

3 Mary St.,

Lebanon, N.Y.,

August 19, 1912.

Miss H. S. Moore,

14 Intervale St.,

Albany, N.Y.

Dear Madam:

Will you kindly send me by an early mail six yards of cream-white chiffon, suitable for automobile veiling? Charge to my regular account.

Very truly yours,

(Mrs.) Helen A. Montgomery.

Exercises

168. Write one of your teachers a letter requesting him to recommend you for a position you would like to fill. Tell him as definitely as possible what your work will be, give him the name and address of the firm or man to whom he is to write, and show that you will appreciate any favor he can do for you.

As a way of closing such a letter, which of the two forms that follow do you prefer? Which is the more modest and unassuming?

1. Thanking you in advance for your favor, I am,

Yours respectfully,

A. B. Brown.

•

2. Hoping that I am not asking too much of you, I am,

Yours respectfully,

A. B. Brown.

169. (1) Apply for a situation. First get the correct name and address of the person or persons to whom you are to write. Tell why you are applying, mention any experience or training which would tend to make your services of value, and give the name and address of some one who may be asked about your character and ability. Read your letter aloud slowly and cut out all unnecessary words.

(2) Answer your letter. You will now have a good opportunity to test the clearness and completeness of the application.

170. Write an order for six kinds of groceries. Give a line to each kind, thus:

1 lb. Mocha Coffee 1 gal. Molasses.

171. Write a business letter from dictation.

Note. This letter is to be dictated by one of the pupils. The teacher will furnish the subject at the time. The pupil is to have no opportunity for preparation. For example, the teacher might say, "You may order one hundred copies of the algebra you are studying," and the pupil would be expected to dictate to the class a letter with all the necessary information about title, edition, etc.

172. The following is what is called a promissory note. Write a letter to a business man from whom you have borrowed a small sum of money, inclosing a properly written promissory note.

Albany, N.Y., September 4, 1912. $125.00

Three months after date, I promise to pay Benjamin Parker one hundred twenty-five dollars, with interest at six per cent. Value received.

Mary Edwards.

178. Write a letter acknowledging a check for twenty dollars and inclose a receipt properly made out. See the following forms:

I

Boston, Mass., June 4, 1912. $100.50

Received of Henry S. Willey one hundred dollars and fifty cents on account.

George A. Henley.

II

Portland, Maine, April 16, 1912.

$75.00

Received of Herbert Rice seventy-five dollars in full of all demands to date.

Helen C. Forbes.

174. Does the writer of the following letter give the real estate firm enough information? If not, supply whatever is needed. Then answer the letter for Messrs. Brown & Thompson. Thank Mr. Rand for the favor and write briefly about two houses which you think will suit him. Assure him that you will be glad to show him these houses, and others that may interest him, at his convenience. Call attention to the fact that there is considerable demand for such houses.

132 Ward St.,

Chicago, Illinois,

July 2, 1912.

Messrs. Brown & Thompson, 9 Main St.,

Cambridge, Mass.

Dear Sirs:

During the next four years, while my daughter is to study at Radcliffe, I shall wish to live in Cambridge. My family will need a house with five chambers, - four of which must be roomy, - a good bathroom, and convenient kitchen and pantry arrangements. I prefer a location within half a mile of the college and shall insist on settling in a quiet community. The house must be ready for us by September I. If you know of any houses that would be likely to suit us, please send me word at your earliest convenience, giving the lowest prices for which they may be rented by the year or leased for four years.

Yours truly,

A. K. Rand.

175. Write a letter in answer to the following advertisement, giving the necessary information about yourself and asking for further particulars about the position:

Wanted. An enterprising young person about sixteen years old, as assistant in the office of a manufacturing house. Good salary to right person. A. J. B.

176. Rewrite the following unsatisfactory letter, improving it in every way possible. Notice, in particular, the italicized words.

2 Berkeley Street, Atlanta, Ga., Oct. 17, 1912.

Mr. Ashley W. Crowell, Architect, 212 Milk Street,

Boston, Mass.

Dear Sir:

We have noticed in the "Architects' Journal" for September the description of the house recently built in Montrose. We shall be very pleased if you will kindly give us some idea as to the cost of the same, as we contemplate building several houses somewhat similar in this district.

Thanking you in anticipation, we remain,

Yours very truly,

The J. G. Brown Co.