The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-01

,ent,cmar, who advertised In THE TR1B-
uNE some time since, and received large
number of replies, complained tnat tne peopic
who replied did not seem to regard MN az uli
capable of knowing what no really wanted
He sought a clerk, under 70 years OF age,
capable as regards shorthand writing, typlng,
bookkeeping, and precise. writing. Half the
applicants did not state their nge at all, and
most did not possess the qualifications ne de-
sired but suggested that something else
might take the place OF ono or two OF them.
Mark Twain once told the story of man
who applied for an advertised post as swim
ming inst ructor at some public baths. lie was
certain that he would give satisfaction, IN
spite OF the drawback that he did not kho"
how to swim. lie assured the council, now
ever, that in he leisure hours he should have
after teaching he would learn the accom-
iplishmcnt, and he was quick.
"TaNing a Chance" Don't Pay.
People who have not got the exact qualit1-
cations demanded must look elsewhere. It
may be dlsagreeabe II one has all the quail
fcations demanded save one TO refrain from
trying ones chance" but the trying IN
tninety-nine cases out of a hundred, only leads
10 modification, and oftent some self-de-
ccption and unreasonable dscourasemeht
When a man has applied for dozen sltua-
lions or sotwhich he has not got the quallllr
cations necessary to obtain he. begins to
nscribe his failure to bad luck rather than
his own, deficiencies and to concluoe that
:. nothing is any good" Besides, ne is vast
ing his energy in the wrong direction. lhaVe
known some Of my acquaintance 70 spend
weeks in this frultless occupation, belieVlhs
. something might come OF IT, Nothing d'd'
save WEAKNESS and disgust
Have First Sentence Striking.
A man should put his best at the beginning
OF the letter he writes. BET him grip tho
advertiser in his first sentence have two
letters before me- received among pile
kindly lentsmc by an employer in the city
In answer to an advertisement he inserted
for Il bookleeper who knew French, One OF
the letters-a good one-begns:
"Str: In answer to Your advertisement OF
the 18th inst, in the. beg to say. etc. !"
The other--a much better onc-besins:
,Slr: | am thoroughly experienced
bookkeeper and French commercial corre-
spondent, and in answer to your advertise
ment in the, etc. ~
The second letter got tho writer the situa-
ton. When the employer read the first words
no was all attention and he read on TWO
thirds OF, the letters began like the first, " In
'''''''>'
qualification on which the advertiser eYident-
~ lays most stress. and should let him see
III the first words that he has got II offered
to him.
Don's Tell Your Life History.
Among these letters are some that run 70
two sheets of note paper, covered on every
side The writer's seem to imagine that they
are trying their hands at biography
Dear SIR writes one. Having noted
your advertisement In the issue OF the -
OF the 10Th instant. and being the son or
Clergyman, have decided on reflection, to
offer you my services In connection there-
with. In doing 80, permit me to ten you
something about myself"
business Is business. a letter In appl'ca-
ton for post should be business letter
short. concise, omitting nothing to the point
and never straying from the point by hair
breadth,
Never say you think YOU can do thing
II YOU know you canfdo It,, and never say you
can do q thing If you cannot.
There are thousands who indulge N poth