The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-12-11
Hotel Autographs.

ing over the register of one of the prin
cipal hotels in the city.
The friend replied eyes, and the
names inscribed as accurately indicate
the character Of the writer's as do the
most sensational love couplet or the
most practical maxim ever written in
the albnm of the average autograph
fend."
In this way the conversation began,
and it was followed by leng and inter
esting study of the register, with com
ments upon the various signatures and
the thoughts which were suggested by
them.
"Now, here, for instance" said the
elder, sis probably the signature Of
some amateur travelling agent who i'm
AGNES that he must stagger hotel clerks
and all who look into the register by
scribbling his name SO that it cannot be
deciphered.
cit looks as though badly tangled
skein of black thread had been dropped
on the page" said his companion.
EYES," said the first speaker, {" the
writer probably thought somebody would,
judging from his autograph, take him
for bank president or something of the
kind"
The line,
"James- and wife, Flint
with the word "wife" written a shaky,
awkward style, suggested the arrival of
a bridal party, the male portion of which
was exceedingly nervous over his first
public effort at writing the word which
indicated the great responsibilities rest
ing upon his shoulders.
AS in all hotel registers throughout
the country, so in the one under exam
nation, was found great scrawling au-
tograph, in the production of which ink
had been used without stint. There
was no regularity in the size or position
Of the letters the only flourish was at
the end OF the name, and instead of be-
ing graceful and pleasing to look upon,
suggested that the writer had concluded
his work with friendly jog of the ell
bow from some impatient traveller.
The comments on this signature were
made lovingly, both of the examiners
being acquainted with the writer as one
of the chief capitalists in one of the prin-
cipal cities in Michigan, who, during the
past two weeks, is credited with having
realized profit of upward of $4,000 on
grain speculations.
The next signature was in an elegant
round hand with many hourishes, and
was that of an individual who parted his
name in the middle-W. Gregory
Thompson, for instance and i'm
parted the information that Chi
cago, his home, is in the State
of illinois. " Evidently the wri-
ter had recently graduated from some
business university and probably parted
his hair in the middle as well as his
name. Hell get over chat after he has
been about the world two or three
wears" remarked one of the self-appoint-
ed examiners.
There were names written back hand
ed, others like tiers of pot-hooks, some
requiring two lines the full width of the
page, and others hardly legible.
They came upon a name with Rev.
and IL. l.. d." attachments, and it was
ascertained that the writer was the pas
tor of a church in an obscure village in
the State of New York, also, that when
he settled his bill at the hotel he was
violendv offended when they refused to
give him more than "a half Oft.
The hotel proprietor, turning back
four or five pages, pointed to A plainly
written name, and said Now, there S
man who controls one of the
chief railroad corporations in the
country, besides being heavy holder of
stock IN one OF the Oldest and wealthiest
insurance companies in the United
States He is worth millions, and when
he arrived all the good rooms in our
house were engaged ! knew of his
wealth and influence, and felt EN-
barrassed when obliged to tel him |
could not give him very pleasant room.
With the utmost good nature, ne asked
Is there a bed in the room ? and | said
yes, OF course. He continued. Are the
sheets clean and are there plenty of bed
clotne,i Having satisfied himself on
these point, he babe me good night. went
TO his room, remained there three days,
never asking 10 have his room changed
and when he paid his bill thanked mt
beside for the attention he had received
That's the way, those persons least az