THE FEMININE WAY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 12, 25 March 1893, Page 288

THE FEMININE WAY.

* I want to get a money order,’ she said, thrusting her head through the window intended for her face alone. ‘ Make out an application, then,’ replied the clerk. ‘ You’ll find the blanks on the desks at the back of you.’ * What application ? 1 just want to send §l5 to ’ * Fill out the blank,’ interrupted the clerk, handing her one. ° • I—l—will you please fill it out for me ?’ ‘ I can’t. It’s against the rules. You must fill it out yourself.’ ‘ Oh, dear me, I don’t believe I can. What do you do first ?’ * Write the date.’ • Where ?’ • On the first line. ’ ‘ There, on that line ?’ ‘ Yes—that’s it.’ ‘ Now, let me see, is this the 10th or the 11th ?’ • The 10tb.’ ‘ I thought so, but I wasn’t sure. vVhat do Ido now ?’ * Write the amount to be sent.’ • It’s §ls.’ ‘ Well, write it on the next blank line.’ * There ?’ ‘ Yes.’ ‘ How easy it is after all! Now, what do Ido ?’ ‘ Where is the money to be paid ?’ ‘ Oh, at Chicago.’ ‘ Well, write Chicago after the words “ Payable at.” ’ ‘ I—l—don’t see any “ Payable,” ’ * There it is. ’ • Oh, of course ; how perfectly ridiculous of me not to see it myself. Now, what shall I put after “ State of ?” ’ ‘ Why, •• Illinois,” to be sure.’ ‘ Oh, of course, what a goose 1 am ! Now, let me see ; what comes next ?’

• To whom are you sending the money ?’ • Oh, to Mr John Smythe ; that is, I’m really sending it to Mrs Smythe, who is my sister, but we thought it would be better to send it in his name, and save her the trouble of going to the office, and of course he can give it to her, as the money’s really to sister ; but if it makes any difference, I suppose—’ • It makes no difference at all.’

‘ I don t see why it should, really, and I’m glad it don’t, for sister isn’t in good health, and she might not be able to go to the office herself, and—’ ‘ Write Mr Smythe’s name and address on the line below.’ * His full name ?’ ‘ Yes—there are so many Smythes.’ * “ Joseph N.” will do, won’t it ?’ * Yes, yes.’ ‘ I can write it “J. Newman Smythe ” if you prefer. Newman is his middle name.’

‘ “Joseph N.” will do.’ ‘ Oh, will it ? I’m sure I don’t see why it shouldn’t. He’s so well known, anyhow.’ • Now write your own name and address on the other lines, as quickly as you can, please ; there are others wait It didn’t take her above twenty minutes to do this, and ten more to ask if Smythe will have to be identified, and when he’ll get the money, and how she’ll know he got it, and if the Post Office is responsible if the money is lost, and if a registered letter would have been as safe, and so on in a way that only helpless and suffering postal clerka know anything about.