CHAPTER II
SEMI-PRIVATE BUSINESS
_We include under this head the correspondence between people in business and private parties, or vice versa._
=74. From a Gentleman of Leisure to his Bank.=
B----, August 10, 19--.
Cashier Pilgrim Loan & Trust Co., B----.
DEAR SIR:--
Answering your favor of the 4th inst., I was not aware I had overdrawn my account, as I had ordered my brokers, Samuels & Loeb, to deposit to my credit $375 on the first of the month; but I will at once attend to the matter, and request them by same mail to pay said amount to my account in your bank to-morrow, Thursday, before close of business.
Regretting the incident, and thanking you for honoring my last check,
I remain, Yours sincerely, STEPHEN DUNDAS.
=75. From a Lady to her Bank.=
C----, May 10, 19--.
Cashier Tenth National Bank, C----.
DEAR SIR:--
Kindly place the enclosed check of $2,500 on the National City Bank, N----, to my account; I shall be obliged if you will forward me a check book of fifty checks.
Very truly yours, MARIA TILDEN.
=76. From a Tenant to his Landlord, concerning Repairs.=
C----, March 22, 19--.
Albert Davenport, Esq. City.
DEAR SIR:--
Will you kindly send some one at once to examine the roof of this house, as the rain comes through in several places. I am sorry to say the pipes are also out of order, and require immediate attention to prevent further mischief.
I remain, Yours truly, HENRY FAIRFAX.
=77. Answer to the Above.=
C----, March 24, 19--.
Henry Fairfax, Esq., City.
DEAR SIR:--
Your favor of the 22d inst. duly received; I have instructed my agent, Mr. Wilson, to have the necessary repairs done without delay; but, as regards papering and painting the rooms you mentioned in a preceding letter, I think it must be deferred until next year, when I will see what can be done. I must remind you that you were aware of the condition of the house when you took it, and that I made no promise respecting redecorations, as the rent paid by you does not warrant my incurring the outlay.
I remain, Yours obediently, ALBERT DAVENPORT.
=78. From a Tenant to his Landlord, Complaining of Neglect.=
N----, March 4, 19--.
Peter Stirling, Esq., City.
DEAR SIR:--
About three weeks ago, I called your attention to the state of the plumbing in this house, but no notice has been taken of my letter. Unless you send some one at once to attend to this matter, I shall have no alternative but to apply to the Health Department, and whatever they consider necessary I shall have done and charged to you.
Hoping that you will not force me to resort to such extreme measures,
I remain, Yours obediently, ARTHUR APPLETON.
=79. Answer to the Above.=
N----, March 5, 19--.
Arthur Appleton, Esq., City.
DEAR SIR:--
I sincerely regret to hear that the repairs you require have not as yet been attended to. Owing to the late severe frost, it is almost impossible to find enough plumbers for the amount of work required at the present moment; however, I have requested my architect to send some one round to-morrow to ascertain the extent of the damage, and to start work at once. Hoping this will prove satisfactory,
I remain, Yours respectfully, PETER STIRLING.
=80. From a Lady to a Firm of Real Estate Agents, Making an Offer for a Furnished House.=
C----, April 5, 19--.
Messrs. Lord & Williams, City.
DEAR SIRS:--
I have been over the house on P---- Avenue you sent me a visiting permit for, and should be glad to know if you think the owner would be disposed to accept $75 per month on consideration of my being willing to take the house for six months, providing the enclosed list of articles which I consider necessary are supplied.
Yours faithfully, HENRIETTA WOOD.
=81. From a Lady to a Firm of Real Estate Agents, Asking Them to put a House on Their Lists.=
C----, May 12, 19--.
Messrs. Smith & Brown, City.
GENTLEMEN:--
I wish you would put my house on your books, as I desire to let it immediately, if possible for two or three years. I enclose particulars of number of rooms, rent required, etc. Hoping to hear from you soon,
I remain, Yours truly, EVELYN INNES.
=82. From a Lady to a Real Estate Agent Asking for a List of Houses for Rent.=
N----, August 14, 19--.
DEAR SIR:--
Have you any small residences on your books in the neighborhood of Central Park, at from $125 to $150 per month? If so, will you send me particulars concerning them, with permits to visit? I should like to take a home for one year in that neighborhood if I can find one to suit me.
Yours truly, HENRIETTA MOORE.
=83. To a Real Estate Firm Asking Information About a Farm.=
C----, July 20, 19--.
Messrs. Washburne & Smedley, S----.
GENTLEMEN:--
I am informed that you have charge of large tracts of farming land in your State. My friend, Mr. George Porter, of this city, who is also, I understand, a friend of yours, suggests that you might be able to find me just the thing I want. After fourteen years of exhausting professional work in this place, I find myself thoroughly run down, and my medical adviser insists that the only chance for me is to break loose entirely from my present engagements, and either take an extensive tour of travel, or enter on some light and pleasant occupation that would serve to interest me without involving any anxious care. In short, it is suggested that two years on a farm would secure me a new lease of life. I think I have presented my case pretty clearly. Country life, in a locality where I need not be far from home and friends, attracts me more than does the traveling.
Do you know of a small farm that could be worked with comparative ease and which I could rent or purchase? If so, I should be glad to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Very truly yours, GEORGE F. MONSELL.
=84. From a Gentleman to House Decorators, Asking for an Estimate.=
P----, April 15, 19--.
Messrs. Silverton & Co., City.
GENTLEMEN:--
I want to have the outside of my house painted, and I shall be obliged if you will send a responsible person to call on me regarding this matter, and to give an estimate of the cost. I shall also be glad to know if you can undertake to complete the work in the course of next week. A prompt answer will be appreciated,
Yours truly, EDWARD SIMPSON.
=85. From a Gentleman to a Firm of House Decorators, Asking for Time to Settle His Account.=
N----, February 3, 19--.
Messrs. Gold, Ruby & Co., City.
GENTLEMEN:--
I am really sorry that I am unable to settle the whole of your bill to-day; but I send you a check for $25 on account and will endeavor to let you have the balance, $73.31, on the 21st of next month.
Yours truly, STEPHEN CALDWELL.
=86. From a Gentleman to a Firm of Publishers, Enclosing Subscription.=
M----, May 10, 19--.
Messrs. Harper & Brothers, New York.
GENTLEMEN:--
Enclosed you will find a money order for four dollars ($4), for which please send to my address a copy of "Harpers Magazine" for one year, beginning with the first number of the present volume.
Yours respectfully, DAVID STRONG.
=87. To the Baggage Master of a R. R. Depot, Concerning Lost Baggage.=
D----, May 10, 19--.
Baggage Master C. B. & Q. R. R. Co. Union Depot, City.
DEAR SIR:--
On arriving here from N---- this evening over your line, by the 7:20 train, I gave my check to the Local Express Co.'s agent, and he has just reported that a large leather portmanteau is missing. I left C---- on Wednesday, by the 6:30 train, and saw my baggage checked for D----, over your road. I hold your check No. 27,131. Kindly trace the missing article by telegraph, and have it forwarded without delay, as I need it badly. It bears my initial letters, C. S., and has also a parchment label marked with my name.
I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, CHARLES B. SMITH.
=88. From a Lady to a Dressmaker, Complaining of Extravagant Charges.=
B----, January 25, 19--.
Mrs. Dudley has received Miss French's account, and is sorry to find that it is considerably higher than she had expected. She will call and see Miss French early next week respecting two or three items which require explanation.
=89. From a Lady to a Dressmaker Postponing the Settlement of an Account.=
N----, January 8, 19--.
Mrs. Selborn is sorry she cannot send Miss Jackson a check by return mail as requested, but hopes to be able to do so in the course of the next ten days. She had not forgotten Miss Jackson's account, and is only sorry that she has been obliged to keep her waiting such a long time for full settlement.
=90. From a Gentleman to His Tailor.=
Mr. Shears, D----, December 18, 19--. City.
DEAR SIR:--
The Prince Albert coat you sent me yesterday is a misfit in every way. It is too large across the shoulders, tight under the arms, narrow in the chest; the sleeves also are too short, and the collar is full of wrinkles. Considering that I was measured for it, and that it was subsequently tried on, there is no excuse for its fitting so badly. I have this morning returned it to you, and if the alterations are not made to my satisfaction, I shall of course decline to keep the garment.
Yours faithfully, ALFRED SANDRINGHAM.
=91. Applying for a Situation as Teacher.=
Secretary School Board, D----, July 25, 19--. D----.
DEAR SIR:--
Understanding that a vacancy in the faculty of your school has occurred, I beg leave to offer myself as a candidate for the position.
I am 20 years old, a widower with one child. Am a graduate of O---- State Normal School, and have taught successfully for five years. Please find enclosed a copy of my certificate from the County Superintendent of----.
Would be willing to teach for the first year at a salary of $1,000.
If you can give me any encouragement, I shall be pleased to make personal application.
Yours respectfully, HAROLD STRONG.
=92. Recommending a Teacher.=
D----, July 24, 19--.
To Whom It May Concern:--
Having learned that Mr. Harold Strong is about to leave this State to engage in the work of teaching in ---- State, I am pleased to say, that I have known him for over five years, that his character is above reproach, and that he has shown himself possessed of scholarship, tact, enthusiasm, ability to keep discipline; in short, of all the highest qualities of the successful teacher.
I, therefore, earnestly recommend him to any who desire to employ a competent instructor, feeling confident that he will satisfy all reasonable expectations.
MARKHAM STONE. County Supt. of Schools.
=93. From a Lady to Her Lawyer Concerning a Claim Against Her.=
B----, July 6, 19--.
Henry T. Turner, Esq.
DEAR SIR:--
This morning, I received the enclosed letter from Messrs. Barnes & Butler, Mr. White's lawyers, asking for compensation for damage done to his bicycle by its coming into collision with my automobile. I will send my driver to you tomorrow morning that he may explain the nature of the accident, and I think you will see that no blame attaches to him. Will you have the goodness, after you have seen him, to write to Messrs. Barnes & Butler to this effect?
Believe me, Yours very truly, MAY WILKINSON.
=94. From a Lady to a Lawyer Concerning a Bill of Costs.=
C----, January 20, 19--.
Robert Hazard, Esq., Counselor-at-Law, City.
DEAR SIR:--
Please find enclosed my check for $126.25, in full discharge of all claims against me up to date, according to your bill, which I enclose and desire you to return to me receipted.
With regard to incurring further costs of any kind, I beg to say that I do not intend doing so; neither do I wish to take up your valuable time in correspondence at my expense.
I remain, Yours respectfully, EVELYN STORY.