The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-02-18
CHAUNCEY N. DEPEW.
NOW NE LOOKS AFTER HIS VOL
LUMINOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

varied Character or the Letters He Re-
Sorts Of Experimentation Ietters BY
the Dozen.
A safe yawns in one corner Of the room.
From underneath the closed lid OF Mr.. Do
pews desk peep row Of newspapers. Some
one has been In his room before him, and his
mail has been placed at hand for his inspec-
t0n. And 1t is something Of mail, too. So
you would thinl, you had to open it. Tho
oldest thing about these letters is their varied
character. Half or more refer to the BUSH
ness of the great corporation which Mr..
Depew manages The other half refer to his
still moro widely known relations to the
social world.
Here Is II letter that would have made the
presidents great predecessor, Commodore
Vanderbilt, turn black with rage. 1t only
provokes a smile on Mr.. Depew's counte-
nance. 1t is from college boy who has been
appointed by his Greek letter society to do
fend u certain proposition in public debate
The question Isl Resolved, that free trade
is more advantageous to the country than
protection" The unhappy writer is expected
to uphold the Golden theory, and, realizing
tho magnitude of tho task and the importance
of the question, he seeks Mr.. Depow's views
briefly on the subject.
A courteous reply is Immediately dictated,
thanking the youth for the honor of the re-
quest, and expressing regret that business
cares prevent his giving the matter that de-
liberation the importance of the subject de-
Mands.
ALL SORTS OF WANTS.
Another and partially similar request comes
from young man in Ohio. who is called
upon to make speech at Sunday school
convention. Would Mr.. Depew please send
him few suitable suggestions for the occa-
sioni Or, if that would be too much trouble,
a copy of his own speeches would he greatly
appreciated.
1.-THE third letter of thSt sort within three
months" comments the president as he
crumples the paper in his hand and drops it
into the waste basket.
astonishing how many people there arc
who want money. And they always want
Large sums, too" he remarks, as he lays down
an open letter in a woman's handwriting. II
have no doubt of this woman's need and her
sincerity. Read it,
Hon Chauncey NJ. Depew:
am forced to appeal to your generosity,
though ! should much rather not do SO. Five
years ago my husband died, leaving me with
six children and my little home. | was
obliged to mortgage the property for $500.
Last summer was sick aud could not pay
the interest viii you please advance me tho
money. The place will be foreclosed on the
first of the month, and don't know what we
shall do. Please don't disregard the prayer
of widowed aud dcspairing mother.
''You notice. observes the president, that
there is not one word in this about my loan
ing the money. She evidently expects it IL,
a gift
will You answer itf'
what good would that dol She would
only write again. l very seldom answer
begging letters. Courtesy In such c;,ses gen
orally makes matters worse"
There are other letters Of IL similar natule
asking for sums varying from 500 to -, 900
They are read and buried without ceremony
In the waste basket
LETTERS Of INVITATION.
Now we come to different kind OF letters.
These ask favors but not pecuniary ones, un-
less busy mans time is regarded literally in
that light. They are invitations to dinners
where a speech is expected in addition to his
company. There are all even half dozen OF
these three Of them for the same evening.
They are pleasantly answered and politely
declined, with regret.
Here is letter from a committee in a
thriving southern city. They are about to
open with impressive ceremonies new
chamber of commerce, and want Mr.. Depew
90 .lnlix- Ia, ttny, .,f ln.- Il, l..
urged in tcrycnt terms not 20 Disregard this
invitation.
"Of course, cannot CO." he observed. at
is out of the question. If accepted all the
invitations received | would have to be III
half dozen different towns ON the same
night frequently
The stenographer takes down wittyreply
regretting that oth-r duties prevent his ac-
ceptance.
''Now, next week, he continues, II shall
receive half Il dozen letters from gentlemen
in that town whom / know. They will urge
me to come and will tell m that the occa-
sion is of such Importance that the ordinary
reasons which prompted my refusal do not
apply to it in the least. This sort of ii re-
fusal has to be repeated two or three times
on the average"
Letters from clergymen asking for passes,
from friends asking for places from parents
begging the reinstatement Of dismissed sons.
from political managers making suggestions
for speeches. and from captious critics offer
ing structures regarding speeches that have
already been made, comprise part only Of
the remaining letters.
Rather hard task to wade through them
all II would be under any circumstances,
but It is rendered doubly difficult to Presi-
dent Depew. There il hardly letter in the
bundle which is not read while some visitor
Is talking to him. His vocal replies are con-
SANITY mingled with his written ones, and
che stenographer is often half in despair as
to whether q sentence is intended for the cor
respondent in San Francisco or the railroad
magnate from Chicago who is seated by the
presidents side. BEN amin Norttrop in New
York Mail and Express.
Thick and Thin S0ies.
The feet can be kept warmer in cold