ill. She begs me to say it would be a great comfort if you would come
and read a little with her, if you could spare the time. In any case, I should be very glad to think she had seen you, as it is her earnest wish to enjoy this privilege.
Faithfully yours, ARTHUR BISBEE.
=280. From a Gentleman to a Minister, Requesting His Immediate Presence.=
O----, December 10, 19--.
Dear Doctor Bellows:--
Will you do me the favor to come to my house immediately for the purpose of baptizing our little boy, who has just been given up by the physicians. We are very anxious to have him baptized, as I fear there is not the faintest hope of his recovery.
Faithfully yours, HENRY BRITTON.
=281. To a Minister Respecting an Application for Assistance.=
F----, February 10, 19--.
Dear Mr. Vane:--
It would be most kind of you to inform me, in strict confidence, if you know anything of a Mrs. Jessica Turner; she has applied to me in writing for assistance, but I make a point, if possible, of ascertaining how far the person applying for help is deserving, as I do not approve of indiscriminate charity, considering it likely to do more harm than good. Perhaps I had better send you her letter, and if you are not personally acquainted with her, would you oblige me by making inquiries among your parishioners?
Believe me, Very truly yours, GRACE TAYLOR SANFORD.
=282. From a Lady to Her Pastor, Concerning a School Treat.=
Hawthorne Villa, August 10, 19--.
My Dear Pastor:--
I have been informed by one of my fellow church-members, Mrs. Dudley, that you propose giving a treat to the children of the Sunday school. It shall give me much pleasure to place my grounds and the adjoining field at your disposal for that purpose, and I will be happy to provide a substantial tea for the teachers and the ladies connected with the school. With compliments to yourself and your dear wife,
Believe me, Yours very truly, LUCY HALDENE.
=283. To a Young Lady, Presenting Her with Flowers.=
N----, December 12, 19--.
Dear Miss Eustis:--
May I have the great pleasure of offering you the accompanying flowers? I have chosen red roses with long stems, as you intimated, in my presence, that you preferred them to any other.
Believe me, Very truly yours, WARD MCVEAGH.
=284. From a Gentleman to a Lady Sending Her a Song.=
N----, December 20, 19--.
Dear Miss Eustis:--
It gives me great pleasure to send you a new song heard the other evening, and which, I think, you will like. I fancy it will suit your voice very well, and shall look forward to the pleasure of hearing you sing it.
Believe me, Very truly yours, WARD MCVEAGH.
=285. Answer to the Above.=
N----, December 21, 19--.
Dear Mr. McVeagh:--
A thousand thanks for the song you were so kind as to send me; have tried it over and like it immensely. Was it very well sung when you heard it, and shall I be able to do justice to it in your opinion, when I have the pleasure of singing it to you?
Believe me, in the meantime, Very sincerely yours, ELEANOR EUSTICE.
=286. From an Elderly Gentleman to a Young Lady, Offering Her a Birthday Present.=
S----, October 10, 19--.
My Dear Miss Stilton:--
With my most hearty wishes for many happy returns of your birthday, please accept a little souvenir which I hope you will like; at your age a birthday is an event to celebrate and to rejoice over; at mine it has a different signification, and reminds me that I am one year nearer the end; in youth, one does not dwell upon this thought, but rather upon what the bright future has in store. May it contain everything for you that your dearest friends could wish.
With love, believe me, Your affectionate old friend, JAMES T. SWINBURNE.
=287. Answer to the Above.=
S----, October 12, 19--.
Dear Mr. Swinburne:--
In my surprise and delight on receiving your lovely present, I hardly know how to thank you enough for it. How kind of you to remember my birthday! Believe in my earnest gratitude for all your good wishes. Among my several nice gifts, there is none I shall value more than yours, dear friend. We are to have a little dance to-night in honor of the event, and I shall have the pleasure of showing these beautiful tokens of friendship to my particular chums.
With renewed thanks, believe me,
Affectionately yours, DAISY STILTON.
=288. From a Gentleman to a Lady, Enclosing Tickets to an Entertainment.=
C----, November 27, 19--.
Dear Miss Landon:--
I have secured two tickets for the concert at the A---- Theater on Saturday next, in the hope that you may perhaps like to make use of them, and allow me to be your escort on that occasion. It is to be a very good one, and well worth going to.
Please give my kind regards to Mrs. Landon, and believe me,
Faithfully yours, ARNOLD DWIGHT.
=289. Answer to the Above (Acceptance).=
C----, November 28, 19--.
Dear Mr. Dwight:--
Thank you so much for your invitation to the next Philharmonic concert. I shall be very pleased to go with you to the A---- Theater, on Saturday next. You will find me ready to start at 7:15 that evening. Again thanking you,
Believe me, Very truly yours, MARIETTA LANDON.
=290. Answer to No. 288 (Regrets).=
C----, November 28, 19--.
Dear Mr. Dwight:--
To my great disappointment, I cannot accept your very kind invitation for next Saturday, on account of a prior engagement entered into over a week ago. Doubtless it would have proved a most enjoyable evening. Hoping that you will not be long before calling upon us, and with renewed thanks and regrets,
Believe me, Very truly yours, MARIETTA LANDON.
=291. To an Invalid, from a Stranger, Offering Her Fruit and Flowers.=
C----, November 3, 19--.
Mrs. Grancy has the pleasure of sending Miss Weymouth some early California grapes, in the hope that they may be acceptable, as she understands Miss Weymouth is a great invalid; she also sends her a few flowers, and trusts she will have no hesitation in accepting both with all good wishes for her restoration to health.
=292. Answer to the Above.=
C----, November 4, 19--.
Miss Weymouth is very grateful to Mrs. Grancy for her lovely present. The flowers are indeed beautiful, and the grapes most delicious; she begs to send her best thanks for this thoughtful attention. She fears that there is but a very remote prospect of her being restored to health, but she is just as much obliged to Mrs. Grancy for her good wishes.
=293. Asking for an Invitation to a Ball for a Friend.=
S----, March 24, 19--.
Dear Mrs. Deane:--
If your invitation list is not already filled up, might I ask you if you would give me a card for Miss Joyce, the daughter of a very old friend of mine? She much wishes to come to your ball, and I have promised to ask you this favor. Should you be able to grant it, she would come with me.
I must apologize for trespassing on your kindness in this matter, but you will not hesitate to refuse if your list is already overfull as regards ladies.
Believe me, Very truly yours, MAUD SILVERTON.
=294. Unfavorable Answer to the Above.=
S----, March 27, 19--.
Dear Mrs. Silverton:--
To my extreme regret, I cannot send the card you request as my ball list is filled up to overflowing; indeed, I have been obliged to leave out many of my own acquaintances who ought, really, to have been included.
Should I have any refusals at the last moment, I will let you know, but fear there is very little chance of it.
Believe me, Very truly yours, GABRIELLE FORSYTH DEANE.
=295. From a Lady asking for an Invitation to a Dancing Party for a Gentleman.=
B----, May 30, 19--.
Dear Mrs. McLeod:--
Would you do me the pleasure of asking Mr. Edward May to your dance? He just told my husband that he would be charmed to attend it if I could get him a card, and as he is very fond of dancing, he might be an acquisition should you be short of gentlemen.
I think you have met his married sister, Mrs. Dinsmore, at my house; she is an intimate friend of mine.
Believe me, Very sincerely yours, GERTRUDE S. BOYD.
=296. Asking for an Invitation to Amateur Theatricals for Visiting Friends.=
N----, May 18, 19--.
Dear Mrs. Leonard:--
Mr. and Mrs. Read, of S----, who are old friends of mine, are visiting at my house now, and have heard so much of your forthcoming theatricals that if you could spare them an invitation, I know they would greatly appreciate the favor. Thanking you sincerely in advance,
Believe me, Faithfully yours, CAROLINE DAWSON.