The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-16

Not until my neighbor was slipping into
bed the same night did she realize how
her sighting criticisms must have hurt
both the man and his wife. She was
aghast at her own rudeness, and, in spite
of the lateness Of the hour and in spite
OF a storm outside, she went to her desk
and wrote a little note to the wife of the
Hebrew gentleman.
1t was brief but frank apology, and
she dressed herself and posted it while
the zeal for restitution was strong upon
her She knew she could not call and
talk so delicate a matter over. yet she
wanted to apologize and the prompt and
prettily phrased note gave her just the
chance for peacemaking that she desired.
BY breakfast time she knew that her
mssive would be in the hands Of her re-
cent guests and would show how prompt
her repentance had been.
The following day few written words
came from the lady to whom the apology
had been sent. She accepted 1t with
| charming grace, and thus the little incl
| dent was closed; no friendship had been
| impaired, no reputation injured, and all
because Of the few written words. ;1.s
Here was q woman. who had the good
sense to see that 2-cent stamp can often
do more than the work Of a call for her.
and that hasty as she is in speech. the
posting Of note in time can rectify her
errors and serve as an olive branch In
| difficult moments.
Learn then to let your pen act fire.
| When in doubt or when you are over
engaged in business affairs. drop many
little notes. Make them kind, cordial and
explanatory.
| They will save you precious time, and,
what Is far more important, they will save
the very precious feelings of the recip-
tents. They serve to assure your friends
that you are bearing them In mind, think
ing Of them and sparing a moment to
write out gracefully what you have not
the opportunity to say in person.
When to Write.
If you cannot call when you know call
is absolutely requisite, spend fifteen min
utes in penning line that will warm the
heart of the hostess of last weeks dinner
party toward you. Should Mr.. and Mrs.
Brown hail the advent of son and heir,
or bewail the loss Of the dining-room wing
by fire, send them a note to say how ap-
propriately glad or sorry you feel for and
When Miss Blank is entertaining a
friend for a week, and you are not able
to pay your respects, pen your regrets.
Don't forget to call and then compro-
mise at the ninth hour by sending box
Of roses. Perhaps you don't know it, but
the note dispatched in good time means a
belated restitution for your neglect.
In case you did not stop in the street
long enough to permit word with q
friend who evidently desired speech with
you, write to give your excuses for hurry
ing by. If you failed to see Mr.. Jones or
the church steps, or absent mindedly ne
elected to return Mrs. Robinson's bow
write them prompt explanations and apol-
ogies. Don't wait until You see them
Don't hope for a change to meet Miss E
and congratu late her on her new book, OF
Mr. A and wish him to joy Of his ap-
, preaching marriage; write them briefly
and sweetly. They will not fail to appre
ciate the pains you take.
, l don't eXaggerate when I say that
know not one but dozens of persons o
both sexes who pursue the silly, near
sighted and non-note writing policy. The!
think it the shortest way round. but il
, reality it is the longest way back to tn
: re establishment Of sound relations witt
your friends and to the procuring Of ney
ones.
How to Write.
Do not so depend on your tongue an
: the telephone and let your pen grow rusty
n Write nice notes. The kind of note yo
o write is the very surest hall mark of you
breeding and education, 1t really speak
y louder than words.
Say what you nave to say briefly. an
h no matter If you are socially a beginne
e or a veteran leader Of fashionable societ
: do not fall into the common and vulga
d habit of signing your communications
y yours in hastc,' as a sort of an eNcus
= for reckless composition Or orthograp phi
= errors.
You have no more right to use tina