2.  Always  give  and  take  receipts  when  bills
are  paid — and  save  vouchers  too.
3.  Date  everything  you  write,  but  if  a
correspondent  forgets  to  date  a  letter  sent
you,  don't  insiilt  him  when  you  reply  by  say-
ing, "Answering  yoiu*  imdated  letter  ..."

4.  Never  indorse  checks  in  advance  of  pres-
entation at  bank  or  other  cash  conversion.
5.  Keep  business  accoimts  with  your  rela-
tives and  friends  as  accurately  as  with
strangers.
6.  Refuse  to  sign  any  paper  anywhere  at
any  time  imder  any  circmnstances  whatsoever
without  first  thoroughly  acquainting  yourself
of  its  contents.
7.  Open  credit  accounts  with  caution  and
only  after  thorough  consideration  of  the  con-
veniences and  the  dangers  of  such  an  arrange-
ment; too  many  people  open  credit  accoimts
at  the  dictates  of  pride  or  laziness.
8.  Keep  all  your  business  papers  in  an
orderly  way  and  be  able  to  place  your  hands
on  them  at  a  moment's  notice.
9.  Keep  your  checkbook  balanced  to  the
fraction  of  a  mill.
10.  Live  within  your  income.
Failure  to  observe  one  or  more  of  these  ten
rules  is  the  cause  of  practically  all  busi-
ness misimderstandings  and  disappointments.
They  cannot  be  too  diUgently  and  insistently
followed.
"Business  Gumption"
(Bessie  R.  Raymond)
(Mrs.  A.  C.)
(18  Maine  Place)
January  10,  1923


THE   BUSINESS  LETTER  1 83

PROBLEMS

1.  Write  letters  or  notes  of  invitation  for  various  school  functions.  Perhaps
you  may  be  able  to  add  to  their  attractiveness  by  marginal  drawings  and  designs.
2.  Write  a  note  to  the  mayor  of  your  city,  or  to  some  other  official,  asking  him
to  address  your  school  assembly  on  a  given  date  and  hour.
