The following letters contain a large number of words which occur with relatively high frequency in correspondence, and are quite likely to be misspelled by persons of eighth grade education. They should be dictated in short phrases of three to five words without repetition, pausing after each dictated phrase for the children to write. The rate should be such, however, that the dictation and writing will be completed in the time designated in the note preceding each letter. On the average this will be about one and one-half lines per minute. A little practice will enable the teacher to dictate at this rate without difficulty.

Pupils should be able to write these letters at the given speed without hesitation or error of spelling before they have completed the work of this grade.

LETTER NO. 1

This letter should be dictated in three sections. The first exercise extends to the end of the first paragraph, including the heading and salutation, and should be written in 8 minutes. The second exercise includes the second and third paragraphs and should be written in 9 minutes. The third exercise completes the letter and should be written in 6–½ minutes.

I suppose you feel that I have been very slow about writing, but I haven't had a minute for either letter writing or pleasure the past few days. I took my last test this forenoon—the terrible and much dreaded literature examination. It lasted from ten o'clock until noon, and though it was different from what I had expected I think I got along all right. I probably won't get an excellent grade, for I just had to make a guess at one answer I didn't know, but you can't imagine how happy I am to be all through. Tomorrow will be the last day of school and our superintendent is going to let us celebrate with a class party.

Aunt Lucy wants me to stay with her another month, but I am coming home Saturday, for I know I'll be eager to get back to the farm just as soon as we have good weather again. Last Sunday I accepted Edith's invitation to spend the day with her. She lives about thirty miles from Des Moines, and I enjoyed the drive over the country roads. I'm sure I'll never lose my love for the farm.

I must tell you, too, about Edith's brother, a lieutenant, who got his commission at the same time John did. He is personally acquainted with John's captain and knew several other men in that company. I was very much interested in his account of his army experiences.

I appreciated the check you enclosed in your last letter, for I needed some money for my new dress. I never realized before this year how much it costs to clothe a girl. I wish you were here to advise me what kind of material to get. I miss your judgment when I try to go shopping alone. Aunt Lucy's voile dress has given her a great deal of service, and so I think I'll decide on that material for my best summer dress.

Remember me to the boys when you write, and give my love to Grandmother. I do hope her rheumatism is better.

LETTER NO. 2

This letter should be dictated in two sections. The first exercise extends to the end of the first paragraph, including the heading and salutation, and should be written in 12 minutes. The second exercise completes the letter and should be written in 7 minutes.

We take this occasion to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th inst., and sincerely appreciate the interest which you have shown in our association. We must find a permanent location for our Chautauqua, and believe that we have found lots which will be satisfactory, especially since they are in a really pleasant locality, convenient to the college. Since it will be necessary to investigate this business opportunity immediately, we are referring the matter to a committee and we feel the analysis of the situation will be complete. The committee to which this matter is referred will probably recommend giving a mortgage but quite certainly will receive advice on this point from representative citizens. The money to carry on the investigation is in the First National Bank, the certificate of deposit being in the hands of the treasurer of the association.

If possible the members of the association would like to issue the bulletin which contains the course by the beginning of the season, whether the matter of permanent grounds is thoroughly investigated, or not. Experience has taught us, too, that the bulletins are received with more enthusiasm at an early date.

The truly awful accident of last year in which two people were killed when the tent fell will have its influence on our present campaign for a permanent building.

Kindly give this matter your attention at your earliest convenience.

LETTER NO. 3

This letter should be dictated in two sections. The first exercise extends to the end of the second paragraph and should be written in 7 minutes. The second exercise completes the letter and should be written in 9 minutes.

You can see from the article which I enclose that we did not disappoint our principal, even though it has been impossible to practice during the past week. Under the circumstances it doesn't seem possible that we could have won, but maybe our success was due to having no practice before the game. Some of the teams seemed rather over-trained.

The coach changed me to right forward, although, as you know, I usually play at guard. I suppose there was a doubt in his mind as to whether I could guard the tall forwards on some of the teams.

Our team never played together better. We didn't have so great a variety of plays as some of the other teams, but relied almost entirely upon our short passing game. What I liked especially was that there wasn't a single poor official. One of the officials was the man who spoke last fall on our community health program.

I suppose the team will reach home Saturday night. I am sure that we ought not to stay here later than Saturday noon. The teams were entertained at the various fraternity houses and the men have been very much crowded to make room for us. We certainly appreciate the good treatment we have received from these men and from everyone.

LETTER NO. 4

This letter should be dictated in three sections. The first exercise extends to the end of the second paragraph, including the heading and the salutation, and should be written in 9 minutes. The second exercise includes the rest of the letter and should be written in 12 minutes. Not more than one exercise should be given in one day.

I am glad to make an immediate reply to your inquiry of December 1, regarding Miss Henry's qualifications.

It is now eight years since Miss Henry first took a position with us. She began as mail clerk, working up rapidly through the ranks, until she became private secretary to Mr. Baldwin, President of the Central Insurance Company, in which capacity she has served for four years, becoming an important part of the institution. We have found her always courteous, thoroughly efficient in her work, and absolutely reliable.

She is well equipped for a position on an insurance publication because of her magazine writing, which she has been doing in connection with a course in journalism at the university this year. She has been most successful in this work and hopes to find time to do more of it during the summer term if her schedule will permit. It was only because of her great desire to continue her education that we were willing to accept her resignation, and we knew that this year's work at the university would mean a broader field for her in the future.

I am enclosing a record of Miss Henry's work, on the usual form kept for each employee, showing the approximate progress she made during her eight years with us and her increased value to the company, and I am also sending under separate cover Miss Henry's photograph, as you suggested.

Hoping I may hear from you further if there is any additional information you require, I am

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