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life has

been a success," said an individual to an old and prosperous business man. "To what do you attribute

your success?" "To an admonition given me by my father, when a boy, which was this:

"First, to attend strictly to my own business. Second, to let other people's business alone. Observing this, I incurred no ill will by intermeddling with others, and I saved my time for the development and improvement of my own business."

Be very sparing of letters of advice. As a rule, you will have enough to do to attend to your own affairs, and as a general thing, advice even when solicited is liable to give offence.

If however, you are asked to give an opinion, you may plainly state it. Do not give it however as a law, nor feel offended if your advice is disregarded.

Beware of giving advice from selfishness. Sooner or later your motive will be discovered. Let your admonition be alone for the

Advising a Young Lady to Refuse Cifts from Gentlemen.

Monroeville, Q., Feb. 2, 15—

My Dear Caroline :

ult. is before

me.

Your letter of the esth

I regret to learn that you accepted of a bracelet at the hands of Wm. Spencer. By all means selmn it. acceptance you place yourself under obliga=

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Nothing will more surely injure a young lady's reputation than the acceptance of many presents from different young men. When manied, the gifts of your husband will come hallowed with his affection. Until then, refuse gifts from all gentlemen.

I am,

interest and welfare of your friend. If you expect, however, to be benefited by the course

Your Sincere Friend,

Karriel MscInhill

which you advise the person to pursue, you may frankly state so.

Letter of Advice to a Young Man to beware of Bad Company. WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan 1, 18—.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND? I observe by the tone of your last letter, that you are becoming very intimate with Henry Hubbard and Barney McIntosh. I need not tell you that your letter has given me much uneasiness. These young men are bad characters, and you cannot continue your association with them, without contaminating your morals.

I am an old man, and I write this, my boy, with a most earnest desire for your happiness. You have acquired a fine education, and have entered upon your profession with every prospect of success. You have a widowed mother to support, and an orphaned sister looking to you for guidance. It becomes you therefore to maintain a reputation unsullied, and obtain a good credit, which to a young man in the commencement of a business career, is equal to a large capital of itself. Association with these young men will certainly carry you downward. They are both without employment, they drive fast horses, they wear flash jewelry, they frequent gambling houses, they both use intoxicating drink, chew tobacco, and talk profane language. What would you think of another that might be seen in their company? People will judge you as you would judge any one else. There is much truth in the old proverb, "A man is known by the company he keeps," and I would have your company such as will reflect the highest honor upon yourself.

I have written this letter earnestly and strongly, for I believe your good judgment will take it kindly; and I trust, when you sincerely reflect upon the matter, you will at once dismiss that class of associates from your company.

Your earnest Well-Wisher and Sincere Friend,

DAVID CLINE.

Advising a Young Man against a Hurried Marriage.

FRIEND CHARLES:

RUTLAND, VT., April 5, 18—. You ask me if you will not act the wiser part by marrying Miss Manchester at once, and settling yourself permanently; and yet you inform me that it has been but three weeks since you first made her acquaintance. You may possibly be in jest, and perhaps in earnest; in either case, as you ask my advice, I can but give it.

The choosing of a life companion, dear Charles, is a too serious matter to be so hastily decided. The selection of a partner for a dance or a ride may be of little moment. The choice of an associate for business may be determined in a short time; but the acceptance of a partner for life requires the most serious deliberation. You should take ample time for the study of the character, temperament, disposition and accomplishments of the lady whom you choose to be the sharer of your labors, joys, sorrows, reverses and prosperity.

Upon this step hangs a large share of your happiness in life. Do not act too hastily. Trusting however, that I will some day see you happily married and settled, I am as ever,

Your most Sincere Friend,

GEORGE BACHELDOR.

Advice to a Gentleman on the Subject of Health.

BOSTON, MASS., May 6, 18-.

MY DEAR FRIEND: Yours of the 2nd inst. is before me. I am pleased with the prospect that you report in your business, but regret that you should feel discouraged about your health. You ask me what you had better do; I will answer.

The first great secret of good health is good habits; and the next is regularity of habits. They are briefly summed up in the following rules:

1.- Sleep. Give yourself the necessary amount of sleep. Some men require five hours of the twenty four; others need eight. Avoid feather beds. Sleep in a garment not worn during the day. To maintain robust health, sleep with a person as healthy as yourself, or

no one.

2.- Dress. In cold weather, dress warmly with underclothing. Remove muffler, overcoat, overshoes, &c., when remaining any considerable length of time in a warm room. Keep your feet warm and dry. Wash them, in warm water, two or three times a week. Wear warm stockings, large boots, and overshoes when in the snow or wet. Wear a light covering on the head, keeping it always cool.

3.-Cleanliness. Have always pint or quart of water in the sleeping room. In the morning after washing and wiping hands and face, then wet, with the bands, every part of the body. Cold water will not be disagreeable when applying it with the bare hands. Wipe immedi ately; follow by brisk rubbing over the body. The whole operation need not take over five minutes. The result of this wash is, the blood is brought to the surface of the skin and made to circulate evenly throughout the body. You have opened the pores of the skin, allowing impurities in the body to pass off, and have given yourself in the operation, a good vigorous morning exercise. Pursue this habit regularly, and you will seldom take cold.

4.-Inflation of the Lungs. Five minutes spent in the open air, after dressing, inflating the lungs, by inhaling as full a breath as possible, and pounding the breast during the inflation, will greatly enlarge the chest, strengthen the lung power, and very effectually ward off consumption.

5.-Diel. If inclined to be dyspeptic, avoid mince pie, sausage, and other highly seasoned food. Beware of eating too freely of soups; better to eat food dry enough to employ the natural saliva of the month in moistening it. If inclined to over-cat, partake freely of rice, cracked wheat, and other articles that are easily digested.

Eat freely of ripe fruit, and avoid excessive use of meats. Eat at regular hours, and lightly near the hour of going to bed. Eat slowly. Thoroughly masticate the food. Do not wash it down with continual drink while eating. Tell your funniest stories while at the table, and for an hour afterwards. Do not engage in severe mental labor directly after hearty eating,

6.-Exercise. Exercise, not too violent, but sufficient to produce a gentle perspiration, should be had each day in the open air.

7.-Condition of Mind. The condition of the mind has much to do with health. Be hopeful and joyous. To be so, avoid business entanglements that may cause perplexity and anxiety. Keep out of debt. Live within your income. Attend church. Walk, ride, mix in jovial company. Do as nearly right as you know how. Thus conscience will always be at ease. If occasionally disappointed. remember that there is no rose without a thorn, and that the darkest clouds have a silver lining; that sunshine follows storm, and beautiful spring follows the dreary winter. Do your duty, and leave the rest to God who docth all things well.

Hoping to hear of your continued prosperity and recovery of health, I am, ALLEN MATLOCK.

Your very Sincere Friend,

SIBLEY JOHNSON, M. D.

Advice to an Orphan Boy.

ARLINGTON, N. C., June 7, 18-.

MY DEAR CHARLIE: I received your letter last evening. I was greatly pleased to hear that you have secured a position with Colby, Henderson & Co., and that your sisters are comfortably situated in their new homes. You ask me for advice as to what you shall do to maintain the good opinion of your employers, and thus ultimately, prosperously establish yourself.

This desire that you evince to please is one of the very best evidences that you will please. Your question is very commendable. How can you succeed? That should be the great question with all young men. It is best answered, perhaps, by the reply of the wealthy and honored old man who gave this advice to his grandsou:

"My boy, take the admonition of an old man who has seen every phase of human life.

"If I could give you but one precept to follow, it would be, Keep good company. But, adding more, I will say:

"Be truthful; you thus always have the confidence of others. "Be temperate; thus doing, you preserve health and money. "Be industrious; you will then be constantly adding to your acquisitions.

"Be economical; thus you will be saving for the rainy day. "Be cautious; you are not then so liable to lose the work of years. "Be polite and kind; scattering words of kindness, they are reflected back upon yourself, continually adding to your happiness." Observe these directions and you will prosper. With many wishes for your success, remember I am always

Your Friend,

ABEL MATLOCK.

LETTERS OF APOLOGY.

103

Letters of Excuse.

ETTERS of Excuse should be written as promptly as may be.

Any damage that may have been caused by yourself, you should, if possible, repair immediately, with interest.

In apologizing for misconduct, failing to meet an engagement, or for lack of punctuality, always state the reason why.

By fulfilling every engagement promptly, discharging every obligation when due, and always being punctual, you thereby entirely avoid the necessity for an excuse.

Any article borrowed by measure, be certain to return in larger quantity and better quality, to make up the interest. To fail to make good that which has been borrowed is the certain loss of credit and business reputation in the neighborhood where you live. No letter of apology can make amends for neglecting to pay your debts.

Apologizing for a Broken Engagement.

FREDERICK, MD., July 13, 18-.

MY DEAR MISS MERTON: I fear that you will feel injured at my failure to keep my appointment this evening. You will, however, I know, forgive me when I explain. When about to proceed to your residence my horse, being very restive, became so frightened at an object by the roadside as to cause his runaway, throwing me violently to the ground, breaking an arm, and completely demolishing my carriage. Regretting my failure to keep my engagement, I am yet rejoiced that the accident occurred before you had entered the carriage. Trusting that my excuse is a sufficient apology, 1 remaiù, Your Faithful Friend,

ALBERT BIGBEE

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Apology for Delay in Returning a Book,

KENTLAND, IND., Nov. 19, 18-. MY DEAR AMY: You must excuse my long delay in returning your book. The truth is, it has been the rounds for several to read, though it has not been out of our house. When I had nearly finished its reading, Aunt Mary became interested in its contents and read it through. Her glowing description of the character of the work caused mother to peruse it; so that we have kept it from you several weeks. We feel very grateful to you, however, for furnishing us such an intellectual feast, and hope to have the pleasure of doing you a like favor. Truly Your Friend, LIZZIE BRAINARD.

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T is to be hoped that you will not often be compelled to write a letter asking a favor.

Do not urge your claims too strongly. Should you be refused, you would feel the more deeply humiliated.

In conferring a favor, avoid conveying the impression that the recipient is greatly under obligation to you. Rather imply that the granting and accepting of the favor is mutually a pleasure.

Letters refusing a favor should be very kindly worded, and while expressing regret at your inability to comply with the request, state the reason why.

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BERTHA.

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SUALLY, in sending gifts, it is customary to accompany the same with a prettily written note. Such letters, with their answers, are very brief, and

are usually written in the third person, unless among relatives or very intimate friends.

Form of Letter Accompanying Photographs.

Rockland, Va, Oct. 20, 15—

Dear Helen:

Will you accept the accom=

Though a reply should be given panying photographs of husband, May, Jen=

immediately, no haste need be made

in repaying the gift, else it would seem that you feel the obligation, and will experience relief by paying the debt.

Accompanying a Betrothal Gift of a Ring.

No. 84 ELDRIDGE COURT, Jan. 1, 18-. DEAR ANNIE: Will you accept the accompanying ring, and wear it as a pledge of the undying affection of Yours Constanily,

WILLIAM.

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Emily Gerry

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