The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-19

-> HE art OF writing letters depends
entirely upon the mood in which
one approaches them. The per-
son who has normal and nat
urai distaste for answering all corre-
spondence merely because 1t Ia cor
respondence, thinks that by special
curse of fate he, or she. as the cake may
be- II constitutlonally disqualified to
write letters.
The only persons who are not quail
fed to write letters are those who do
not want to write them. Most people
fuss terribly about answering letters
Answering letters is no trick at all:
1t Is writing letters which are not
answers that Is difficult When one
answers one Is prompted by questions.
or suggestions of some sort or other.
But when one writes a letter that Ism
an answer but Is just a brand new let
ter with no strings to It. one has In
deed accomplished q feat OF mental
agility.
For instance, that is why letters Of
sympathy, ,or congratulation, or con-
dolence are fearfuliy difficult to write.
They have but one main theme as a
suggestion. and all the words and
phrases must be original. Unless. OF
course. one backs down miserably and
sneaks the thing hide and hair from a
perfect letter writer"
~ When one has to write an original
Ject provided the occasion does not
call for one. II there is absolutely no
occasion for writing q letter, no hint
! NOR sign of tip for theme. then and
II someone just says. Now. you write
afirst." That's the time to complain
? The best recipe for answering a let
,-answer and make an outline Of the sub
/, ,Jects discussed something like this:
Weather. where she went; what she
p sdid: whom she saw: health of self and
|; family; farewell sa' atings.
49,, Then you sit down and write a letter
twice as long. Because you repeat
q everything she has written about and
say on the same subject. Such as: 81
am so glad the weather there has beer
ugly. It is beautiful here in Washing
ton. just a gradually rising tempera,
always such clear. bracing air. with
never sign Of fog or mist"
You can do that with every singl,
subject the writer OF the first letter
takes up And she wi. never know
Another good way to start a letter IL
TO sit down and make out list OF all
the things that have happened to you
for the past week. Carefully weed gu,
those which you cannot tell. those that
/ you shouldn't tell, and those that you
can tell with impunlty. Then tell those
|, that YOU shouldn't tell. Makes a spicy
racy letter at which no offense can be
taken.
A Few Examples of Excuses.
Hulda Scaggs would always pause
Before she wrote letter
For several weeks. because she said:
II ought to know her better"
Jane Eliza liked to write
/, A letter, but she wouldn't
/ because someone was always round
Il. And then, you see. sne couldn't!
HI a gay young rake named Harry Blsk,
Hi He never wrote line.
II You see, he feared each thing he did
III Would cost another fine!
I'M |,
You'd think that Bertha Alice would
IN ! Have changed as she grew older:
. But, like child. she hates to write
Because 1t cramps her shoulder.
IA busy girl named lizzie Shocks,
M She hates to write like sin.
IVY She has so much to say she can't
N Decide where to begin.
Il, And so 1t Is with everyone
|u Whose cheap excuse is hazy-
IN The truth IL that they hate to write
III Because they are too lazy.
|H THU CoNnTrcro,