86 FORMS OF BUSINESS LETTERS. lished, style of binding, price at which it is advertised, etc. Thus, a careless person, ordering of Harper & Brothers a United States History, will say, "Send me a United States History." Of course the first query of the shipping-clerk is, "Whose history?" There are many histories of the United States, published by as many different authors, and the clerk is liable to send the one not wanted; in which case the person ordering is very likely to unjustly blame Harper & Brothers. If the writer should say, "Send me a copy of Willard's History of the United States, by Emma Willard, published by A. S. Barnes & Co., bound in cloth," there would be no liability to mistake. The following will serve as sample forms: Form of Letter Ordering Books. ROCKFORD, ILL., March 1, 18-. MESSRS. JANSEN, MCCLURG & Co., Chicago, Ill. Dear Sirs: From a Young Man Commencing Business, to a Wholesale House, with Order. MESSRS. FIELD, LEITER & Co., Dear Sirs: Chicago, Ill. RACINE, WIS., Aug. 10, 18-. Having recently commenced business for myself, with fair prospects of success, I shall be pleased to open an account with your house, and trust it will be to our mutual advantage. Should you think favorably of the matter, you will please fill the accompanying order with the least possible delay, and on your best terms. For testimonials, I refer you to Carson, Pirie, Scott & Co., of your city, by whom I have been, until recently, employed; but, as this is my first transaction with your house, upon forwarding me an invoice of goods, and deducting your usual discount for cash, I will remit a sight draft on the First National Bank of your city, for the amount, by return mail. Expecting your usual prompt attention, I am, Yours Respectfully, Enclosed find draft for $48.75, for which please Enclosed find Post Office Order for $25, for which please send, by American Express, the following goods: 2 Lancaster Table Spreads ($3.50), MR. WM. B. HOPKINS, Boston, Mass. $ 7.00 Dear Sir: I have taken occasion to enquire in relation to the extent and number of clothing stores in this place, and am happy to inform you that, while that department of trade is very fairly represented, there seems to be a good opening for a first-class store, such as your house would undoubtedly establish. There is also a large store just vacated, in the center of the village, one of the best locations in the town, which can be had at reasonable rent. Hoping that you may carry out your design of locating here, and trusting that you may realize your expectations, I am, Yours Truly, CHAS. H. WILLIAMS. Having heard much said in praise of your beautiful city, particularly concerning railroad privileges, church and educational advantages, I have concluded to make your town my permanent place of abode, if I can locate myself aright, inasmuch as I have a large family of children to educate, and the numerous lines of railway radi ating from your city will afford me the desired accommodations in my traveling agency. My object in writing you at present is to learn your best terms for a residence containing not less than ten rooms, having from six to ten acres of land attached, situated not over a mile from the postoffice. An immediate answer will oblige, It has now been seven years since the commencement of my pastoral connection with the First Baptist Church of this city. During this time the church society has grown in numbers, the sabbath school has been continually blessed by a large attendance, and the relations between pastor and congregation have always been of a most pleasant character. For these and other reasons it would be agreeable to continue my connection with the society longer; but other fields of labor affording wider and better opportunities, I feel it but just that I accept the privileges offered. Thanking the congregation to whom I have ministered for their kind and unwavering support, and praying for your continued prosperity, I desire you to accept my resignation as pastor of your society, to take effect January 15, 1878. Yours Very Respectfully, CHAS. B. HANFORD. Letter Complaining of Error in a Bill. MESSRS. H. B. CLAFLIN & Co., Dear Sirs: Understanding that you are a shareholder in some of the principal railways, and on intimate terms with several of the directors, I venture to solicit your kind interest in behalf of my eldest son, William, now in his twentieth year. His education has been varied and useful, and his character, so far as I know, is above reproach. For several years he has expressed a desire to enter the employ of a railroad company, and under the circumstances I venture to write to you, in the hope that, should you have it in your power to oblige me, you will kindly intercede in his favor. By doing so you will confer a lasting obligation both on him and me. I remain, sir, Your Ob'd't Servant, We flatter ourselves that there are many friends among our connection who will regret that we are on the point of relinquishing business. In doing so our premises and stock of goods will be transferred to the hands of Messrs. Williams & Co., who will in future carry on the business on the same approved system and extensive scale as ourselves, provided they can rely upon receiving the patronage of our connection; in the hope of which, it is our pleasure and duty to present these gentlemen to your notice. We cannot speak too highly of the confidence we feel in their liberal mode of conducting mercantile transactions; and, in the hope that they may be honored with the same countenance received by ourselves from your respected firm, we beg to sign ourselves Your Most Obedient Servants, TROY, N. Y., June 10, 18—. DEAR MARY: New York, Upon examining bill accompanying your last lot of goods, I find that I am charged with four dozen pairs of cotton hose which I never ordered nor received. I enclose the bill and copy of the invoice of goods, that the error may be corrected. I am, gentlemen, Yours Very Respectfully, H. B. MOORE. KANKAKEE, ILL., Jan. 1, 18-. I am going to trespass on your kindness by asking you to make a few purchases for me. Enclosed find twenty dollars and a memorandum of what I want. My household duties, combined with the objection I have to leaving my children at this season of the year in the care of servants, very closely confine me to my home, and are my excuse for troubling you. Answer to the Foregoing. MR. CHAS. W. CANFIELD, BIG STRANGER, KANSAS, Aug. 15, 18-. Toledo, Ohio. Dear Sir: Your welcome letter was received yesterday. I can assure you that I will be only too happy to furnish you all the information you desire relative to the prospects in this portion of Uncle Sam's domains. I have now been two years in this place, and I can truly say that these years have been the happiest of my life. True, we have endured some hardships incident to pioneer life; but the glorious freedom from the frivolities of fashion and the formalities of aristocratic life, common to the old towns in the East, together with the pleasure one takes in making new improvements, all have combined to render our family perfectly delighted with the country. For a quarter of the money in your possession, you can purchase all the land you will desire to cultivate; the remainder you can loan hereabouts, on bond and mortgage, at good interest. The climate here is healthy and invigorating; the soil good, with running streams in sufficient abundance to water most of the farms. Plenty of building material and fuel can be had in the timber skirting the streams; and the prospect for the ultimate opening of the land in this section to a ready market, through several lines of railway now in contemplation, is very flattering. At present, however, the nearest station to my farm, on the stage route, is Chesterfield, thirty-four miles distant, at which place I will take great pleasure in meeting you, with my team, at any time you may appoint. A very excellent farm, adjoining mine, can be bought for five dollars ($5) per acre. One corner of the land is crossed by a never-failing stream, with considerable timber along the same. You will have to rough it for a little while after you arrive; but the neighbors will all turn out to aid in getting up your log house, after which you will be at home "under your own vine and fig-tree." We have two rooms in our house, and, till your house is completed, we will give one of them to your family. It will seem a little odd, at first, for a fashionable family of six or eight persons to occupy one room, with wolf and deer skins for quilts and coverlets; but, by-andby, when the young ladies find they are in just as good style as anybody else, they will dismiss their fastidiousness, and think it jolly fun. These privations that we at first endure are necessary, perhaps, to enable us to appreciate the fine homes which we all expect to have in the good time coming. Hoping to have the pleasure of welcoming yourself and family as neighbors, I am, Yours, Very Truly, MARTIN FULLER. LETTERS APPLYING FOR EMPLOYMENT. 89 Applications for Situations. Letters Answering Advertisements. As a hundred different persons will sometimes make application for one position, which will be given to the individual writing the best letter, everything else being equal, this illustrates in a striking manner the importance of being able to write a letter elegantly and correctly. Answer to an Advertisement for an Assistant Editor. HE following advertisements, taken from metropolitan papers, are but samples of hundreds of such to be seen every day in the advertising columns of the leading daily newspapers in the great cities; showing that abundant opportunities constantly offer for obtaining employment, the positions to be secured, however, by letters making application for them. WANTED-LADY COPYIST, ABLE TO WRITE A applicant's own handwriting, COPY, Republican office. WANT, distinct and Salary good. Address, in WANTED A COMPETENT sell references. Address, stating salary expected, PIANOS, Tribune office. WA Maplewood, Mass., April 1, Dear Sir: 15—. Observing the enclosed advertisement in this moming's "Herald," I improve the opportunity by writing you an application for the place as I am at present disengaged. I graduated four years aga at Kors. Willard's Seminary, Troy, H. Y., since which time I conducted the literary department of Frank Leslie's "Sizagazine of Fashion" to October last, when failing health, resulting from too much close confinement, compelled to travel abroad, from which journey, princi= pally through England and France, I have just returned, with health completely restored. I beg to refer you to Ast. Leslie for testimonials. Being exceedingly fond of literary tion up me the posiz - one who has experience and good pursuits, I shall be happy to occupy WANTED AN ACCOMPLISHED, EDUCATED young lady as a companion, to travel for six months in Europe, with a gentleman, wife, and daughter. Must be a ready writer, a good conversationalist, and possess vivacity and pleasing manners. Wardrobe furnished, and money to pay all expenses. Address Z. B M., Commercial office, stating where an interview can be had. 90 LETTERS APPLYING FOR SITUATIONS. General Directions. Letters in reply to advertisements should be written immediately, else you may be too late. Paste the advertisement at the head of your letter; thus it will be known exactly what your communication has reference to. Answering an Advertisement for a Bookkeeper. 1184 Longworth St., CINCINNATI, O., May 1, 18—. DEAR SIR: In reply to your advertisement in to-day's "Commercial" for a clerk or assistant bookkeeper, I beg to offer my services to your firm. I have been in the employ of Mr. Wm. H. Wilson for the past four years, until he sold out his business a few days ago, having kept the books of his house during the time. He permits me to refer to him for any testimonial of character or Should my application meet your views, it will be my earnest endeavor to faithfully and punctually fulfill the duties required. I have the honor to remain, It is not necessary to speak much in praise of ability which you may require. yourself, but you may state your reference, your experience, and qualifications fitting you for the position, the whole being told as briefly as possible. Write your application yourself, your handwriting and the manner of expressing yourself being the test by which the advertiser judges you. If you have written testimonials, copy the same, marking them as such, and enclose the copy. Yours, Very Respectfully, HOMER BUXTON. Answering an Advertisement for a Cook. MRS. D. N. HASKINS. 48 Wentworth Ave., PITTSBURGH, Pa., Respected Madam: Seeing an advertisement in this morning's "Press" for a good plain and fancy cook, I take the opportunity to apply for the situation. I have been with my present mistress, Mrs. Burton, for three years, and only leave because she has rented her house for the summer, to make an extended visit among her relatives in New England. I shall remain here until Tuesday next, unless I find a place sooner, and Mrs Burton will give you any information you may desire regarding my capacity. I-Remain, Very Respectfully, SARAH E. WESTON. DEAR SIR: From a Boy Applying for a Clerkship. 879 Market Street, PHILADELPHIA, PA., Nov. 4, 18—. I notice in this morning's "Ledger" your advertisement of "a boy wanted in a grain commission house," which position I take the first opportunity to apply for. I am fourteen years old, have been at school most of the time, winters, for the past seven years, and understand bookkeeping and conducting correspondence pretty well, having assisted my father much of the time while he was in the coal trade, which was about three years. I am perfectly willing and ready to take my coat off and go right to work at handling grain or anything else in your line. I refer you to Mr. Ira Belden, coal dealer, at 56 Benton street, who has always known me. I will board at home, and will try to earn for you five dollars a week. JOHN CLANCY. Answer to an Advertisement for a Chambermaid. No. St., NASHVILLE, TENN., DEAR MADAM: Mrs. Harrington assures me that she will take pleasure in recom- DEAR SIR: The enclosed testimonials, from gentlemen for whom I have worked, will, I trust, prove satisfactory. My last employer, Mr. Snow, I would like to have you see personally concerning my fitness for the position. I am a married man, thirty-three years of age. If favorable to my application, please address as above, and oblige, Your Obedient Servant, JAMES H. HARPER. |