How to Write Letters (Formerly The Book of Letters) Part 33

Mr. Lawrence Loring, 11 River Avenue, Yonkers, N. Y.

Dear Sir:

May I call to your attention the question which every man of property must at some time gravely consider, and that is the disposition of his estate after death?

I presume that as a prudent man you have duly executed a last will and testament, and I presume that it has been drawn with competent legal advice. But the execution of the will is only the beginning. After your death will come the administration of the estate, and it is being more and more recognized that it is not the part of wisdom to leave the administration of an estate in the hands of an individual.

It used to be thought that an executor could be qualified by friends.h.i.+p or relations.h.i.+p, but unfortunately it has been proved through the sad experience of many estates that good intentions and integrity do not alone make a good executor.

Skill and experience also are needed.

This company maintains a trust department, under the supervision of Mr. Thomas G. Sh.e.l.ling, our trust officer, who has had many years of experience in the administration of estates. a.s.sociated with him is a force of specialists who can care for any situation, usual or unusual, that may arise. The services of these men can be placed at your disposal. I can offer to you not only their expert services but also the continuity of a great inst.i.tution.

Individuals die. Inst.i.tutions do not die. If you will turn over in your mind what may be the situation thirty years hence of any individual whom you might presently think of as an executor, I believe you will be impressed with the necessity for the continuity of service that can be offered only by a corporation. In many cases there are personal matters in the estate which a testator may believe can best be handled only by some of his friends. In such a case it is usual to join the individual executors with a corporate executor.

It would be a privilege to be able to discuss these matters with you.

Very truly yours, (Handwritten) _Lucius Clark_, President.

P.S. Wills are quite frequently lost or mislaid and sometimes months elapse before they are discovered. It is needless to point out the expense and inconvenience which may be entailed.

We are happy to keep wills free of charge.

_A letter offering tax services_

INTERVALE NATIONAL BANK INTERVALE, N. Y.

June 1, 1923.

Mr. Michael Graham, Intervale, N. Y.

Dear Sir:

This bank is prepared to advise you in the preparation of your income and other tax returns. It is a service that is yours for the asking, and we hope that you will avail yourself of it.

The department is open during banking hours, but if these hours are not convenient to you, special appointments can be made.

Very truly yours, (Handwritten) _Samuel Drake_, President.

_A letter giving the record of the bank_

INTERVALE NATIONAL BANK INTERVALE, N. Y.

July 6, 1923.

Mr. Donald West, Intervale, N. Y.

Dear Sir:

As a depositor you will be interested in the enclosed booklet which records what the officers and directors think is a notable showing for the bank during the past year. I hope that you will also find it inspiring and will pa.s.s it on to a friend who is not a depositor with us.

May I thank you for your patronage during the past year, and believe me

Very truly yours, (Handwritten) _Samuel Drake_, President.

LETTERS OF ORDER AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

_Order where the price of articles is known_

North Conway, N. H., August 19, 1921.

Messrs. L. T. Banning, 488 Broadway, New York, N. Y.

Gentlemen:

Please send me, at your earliest convenience, by United States Express, the following:

1 doz. linen handkerchiefs, tape edge, regular size $ 6.00 1 pr. Triumph garters, silk, black .75 4 white oxford tennis s.h.i.+rts, size 15-1/2 @ $3.00 12.00 6 pr. white lisle socks, size 11 @ $.50 3.00 _________

Total $21.75

I am enclosing a money order for $21.75.

Yours very truly, Oscar Trent.

Enclosure (Money Order)

_Order where the price is not known_

Flint, Michigan, July 14, 1922.

The Rotunda, 581 State Street, Chicago, Ill.

Gentlemen:

Please send as soon as possible the following:

2 prs. camel's hair sport stockings, wide-ribbed, size 9 1 blue flannel middy blouse, red decoration, size 16 1 "Dix make" housedress, white pique, size 38 1 copy of "Main Street"

I enclose a money order for thirty dollars ($30.00) and will ask you to refund any balance in my favor after deducting for invoice and express charges.

Very truly yours, Florence Kepp.

Encl. M. O.