National Republican., 1886-11-03
FLOODED WITH LETTERS.
Mrs. Cleveland's Extensive Correspond
enoe From HaRerstown.


"I am going to Harrisburg tomorrow, and
want to stop over at Hagerstown, Nd, to see
what kind Of place 1t is" remarked gem
tleman, addressing the clerk of an uptown
hotel last evening
THAT Is my native place, and l can tell You
all about IT," returned the oblgug clerk.
well, J want to know for Mrs. Cleveland.
She gets more letters from that place than any
other town OF city Of the country, aud she
feels curiosity to know something about H.
The REPUBLICAN reporter, who was engaged
in examining the hotel register, pricked up his
cars at this speech, aud glancing up he reCo{'
nized wcll-known employe Of the white
house.
'These letters" he said, contain every
WISHES, and many Of them are accompanied
by little tokens of regard such as flowers, or
little dainty pieces oil handiworK, which arc
supposed TO be appreciated by lady. All
these gifts and letters are of character to in
vite reply, and what Mrs Cleveland wants
10 know is the recullafltlos OF a town that
produces such horde of letter writers"
While this speech was being delivered the
sngaciOus clerk nodded his head with n know
ing smile and at It's conclusion Gaye vent TO
hearty laugh.
"some tlmo ago two little girls of Hagertqwn,
the daughters of a gentleman named Eycrly
well known citizen there, wrote letter to Mri.
SSleySGind Which they isnt hsr sSnlt WIN Pgfy ,
hirs Cleveland returned from her wedding
trip. The little girls told her they had gath
cred the flowers from theiro own garden for hor,
ana with childish simplicity wished her no
end of happiness as mistress OF the white
house. This letter was answered and you
may be sure II was precious keepsake for the
little girls and the cause of much pride on
their part. They lost no time in exhibiting IL,
and II soon found n place in one of the town
newspapers. From that time on all the little
girls of the place determined not to be outdone
by their comrades, aud they all iudited epis-
ties, modelled moro or less after the first sue
Cessful missive. to the Presidents wife. The
fever spread and young ladies caught the con-
tnpion. Even some sentimental young men as-
pired TO possess an autograph letter. When
the craze began Mrs Cleveland answered several
Of the letters but from the large number OF
people who know wrote her / am not sur
prispd that she soon found herself unequal to
the task. visited home several weeks ago
and good many Of my friends told me conl.
dcntially that they had written TO Mrs. Cleveland
and asked why l thought they hadn't re.
Ceived answers. / told them had no dOub.
that the flies OF the white house would show
good many hundred similar letters to theirs,
and they must wait their turn
'Wcll," sail the white house representative
~ am glad 10 know the wherefore of this &C.
Centricity. BY the way, don't you know there
arc lots Of people who, TO get the signature Of
the President or MS Cleveland, resort to a
grcnt variety of strategy. There are cases
where a favor will be asked, often regarding
the securing Of an Office, 50 thet an answer will
he given. OH there Is no end to the nleth1dj
invented to get an autograph letter." aud the
gentleman strolled away.