eases them, an'----'

'Yes, sir.'

And some of the others were a good deal more sketchy, but fortunately
there were only five in all. I asked Mr. John to let me take the
original letters. It was plain that dictation was not his strong
point. Neither, I thought, had he much idea of letter-writing; whereas
I, so I flattered myself, could do it rather well. At least I had read
something about commercial correspondence, and had also read the
published letters of many famous people. So, as soon as I decently
could, I pretended Mr. John had really dictated replies to his five
letters, and that I had recorded his words in indelible shorthand.
Then I said I would run away and write the letters while he kept his
engagements.

'Right!' he said. 'Tell you what. Go into my father's room. He's gone
out now, and you'll find paper and that there.'

So I made my first practical essay in commercial correspondence from
the chair of the head of the firm, and among the fumes of the head's
morning cigar.

In an old pocket-book I discovered a year or two ago the draft of the
first letter I wrote for J. Canning and Son. Here it is:

'_To_ Mr. R. B. Gubbins,
'Ferndale Farm,
'Unaville, N.S.W.

'Nov. 3rd, 1879.

'Dear Mr. Gubbins,--Thank you for your letter of the 2nd inst. We have
looked carefully into the matter of your complaint, and are glad to be
able to assure you that your fears are quite unnecessary. We were, of
course, prepared to take the matter up seriously with those
responsible, but investigation proved that there had been no delay
whatever in disposing of your last consignment of butter. It happened,
however, that an exceptionally large supply of the very primest
qualities were on offer that morning, and though one or two may have
reached higher prices, as the result of exceptional circumstances, the
bulk changed hands at the price obtained for yours, and many
consignments at a lower figure. In several cases the prices given in
the newspapers are either incorrect, or apply only to one or two
special lots.

'In conclusion, permit us to assure you, dear Mr. Gubbins, that while
your interests are entrusted to our hands they will always receive the
closest possible attention, and that nothing will be left undone which
could be in any way of benefit to you.

'Trusting this will make the position perfectly clear to you, and that
you will be under no further anxiety with regard to your consignments
to us, now, or at any fu