The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-16
" Is more than mistake, which
many Americans make, to believe
that the accomplishment of note
- writing does not count. Carried to

that the accomplishment OF note
~ writing does not count. Carried to
it's utmost point of polished perfec-
ton, it does count enormously In making
one liked and likeable Try to write nice
notes and many OF them. Take your So
cial CORES pondence very seriously.
Don't fall into the habit OF writing in
the slipshod style Of the present day and
don't dodge your obligations as corre-
4 spondent
\ l know so many men and women who
y scorn or disregard the efficacious SER
i vices Of the humble 2-cent stamp. sheet
Of paper and envelope, and who blatantly
4 brag that they avoid the duties of all save
+ business and family correspondence as far
as possible. They suffer. nevertheless. in
4 consequence Of their stupidity and neglect
They are the same individuals who,
while ardently DESTROYS Of being consid-
cred agreeable and valuable members of
society, will not put pen to paper until
\ fairly driven to an extremity; who, as a
j result. express themselves in writing both
< crudely and carelessly, and who placidly
4 leave their invitations unanswered long
after replies are impatiently expected.
Indeed do not stretch point when 1
say that this Is culpable rudeness. Now
you are sadly ignorant of one Of the most
important means to the end of gaining
4 general esteem and reputation for gra-
B cious good manners when you live obliv-
A and one high social offices that your pen
4 and one high social offices that you pen
I and only your pen can perform.
u I am inclined to paraphrase the we'll
( known maxim and say that IL you cherish
4 the very excellent and worthy ambition
Y Of rendering yourself agreeable in society,
a remember your pen will prove often a
mightier agent for your good reputa ton
a than your tongue.
"a A Common Courtesy.
Common civllity alone requires that you
answer all notes as eXpeditiousy as the
X their contents had been addressed to YOU
y by word Of mouth / can find no plausible
+. excuse for the usual method Of treating
F. social correspondence with less care thar
business letters.
y 1t makes no difference if you are a little
x incommoded in order to show this cour-
4 tesy: you would wish the same consider
IA ate effort made in your own behalf Your
y good breeding and your thought for the
" convenience Of others is displayed In never
y keeping any one waiting.
III To reply by return mail Is none too soor
4 to respond to an invitation, to a note OF
congratulation or query. Young people
In our country especially, take their epis
v tolary responsibilities very lightly.
!! The reprehensble method is to let al
q occasion, requiring few lines. grow cole
i, before the lines are dispatched; to allow
X correspondence to pile up and then clea
x off the budget at long intervals by scrawl
" ing over q few sheets and posting dila
u tory compliments, regrets, acceptance!
= and sympathies. ...,-h
III am hostess, and the friend of many
\ hostesses, and can vouch for the result:
II of the above mentioned system. 1 like
IA the prompt answer that is carefully writ
X ten. l Judge my new acquaintances by
their replies to my notes. When my in
vitations are answered at leisure I pu
a star opposite the name of my casua
guest for the first offense. I run a goot
strong line thru the whole name for tn
second offense. Life Is too short and Their
are too many well-bred, sweet-nature
Z men and women In this world. who vii
AZ treat my notes with the polftest consid
I Grafton to warrant a waste Of time an
temper on the individual who is too lazy
pitality or my words Of inquiry the du
4 recognition.
The Written Word.
A. A note In time, a few prettily ex
5t pressed phrases, dispatched at the psyche
~ logically important moment, will ofte
n save most threatening situation when n
n other expedient can serve.
III A case in point was eXemplified in m
n own experience but recently.
AZ 1t was my neighbor who came in wit
a a troubled face but week ago. Sh
had Numbered shockingly she feared UT
"A. forgivably. At her table she ha
81. been guilty of a careless and cruell
/. sighting remark concerning Jews. Be
"a. side her at the time had sat, as her hor
IA ored guest, man Of science and Jew.