New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-21
MIR. DEPEW'S LETTER BOX.
CHANCES AT ODD BITS OF HIS NAIL.
SINGULAR APPLICATIONS OF MANY KINDs-1N

SINGULAR APPLICATIONS OF MANY KlNDs~lN
GREAT DEMAND AS AN ADVISER.
The CORES pondeuce addressed TO most railroad mag
rates contains many singular and interesting things
but few II any, men of note receive so remarkable APP
peals and requests as those which find their way into
the mail OF Chauncey NJ. Depew This Is true OF Mr.
Dcpews letters at almost any time OF the year. Dut IL
was particularly the during the few weeks I'M
medlately preceding his recent departure Tor Europe
on the steamship Adnatlc.
About nlnetentbs OF the communications sent 10 the
president of the New York Central Ralfoad Company
are marked with an unmstakable and conspicuous
. personals the writer's evidently believing that no
gracecss clerk would dare to invade the sancl'N OF
their confidential ougivlnes They seem 10 thihh mat
these gems Of true nwardness' are reserved ior Mr.
Depew's eyes only when he SITS In guarded closet
with barred door to consider their desires III these
admirers Of his would take the trouble to reflect a
moment they would that II is physical inpossl-
bty for him 10 read one IN dozen OF these eX-
t,emeIv " nersonalr appeals only the most important
are brought 10 his attention, although he does see
son,c Of the funniest for the OF the udicrous
s strong I'm Private Secretary Du Val, ana when mat
discriminating inquistor comes across ie"er 'ho
flavor of which he knows would be appreciated by
bIs cbicf he laws IL aside for Mr.. Depews own In
spectIon. Mr.. Depew never dlscoses the name Of
correspondent OF this kind, but he often amises his
friends with verbatim reports vi "h' "a oo'" "'''
to him.
Some OF the people who address him give ample
nroof of A large endowment OF cheek.' Not iohe
ago Mr. Dcpew received letter from man lVhs
up the Hudson something less than one hundred miles
above New. WORK, saying that he had ordered sun
of clothes in town but it was announcement Tor MN
N nav for them Just now Would Mr.. Depcw be
kind enough 20 call at the ailOrs, pay the bill, and
sepd the goods 10 the writer's address by express
He was anxious to come to New-York and make re-
spectsble appearance, and from what he knew OF
Mr. Depew's reputation as Kind hearted ana LIBERAL
spirited citizen he sure that he wo'id not stanu
an ca small matter az a suit Of clothes when
fellow beings happiness was at STAKE MOREOVER
be was NOT man of extravagant tastes, he said and
the bill for the clothes was only s'o' 'hey "ouiu
answer his purpose quite as we'll as more costly APP
nare The postscrp to the letter expressed tho hope
that mass from station to Newly DIRK and return
would be sent with the clothes. by way OF reciprocity
tbo writer would do Mr.. Dcpew the favor to call and
see him when he came to New-York
But this was not from entire stranger, Mr..
Dcpew ~ asked
Eyes, IL was never saw or heard OF the man
beforehand he hasn't heard from me SINCE And
Mr. Depew seemed TO be enjoying the "waip the
fellow having.
al had a somewhat singular demand for damages
the other day." continued the Centrals president
A chap wrote me that he was riding in one OF our
cars the day before when spark from the locomotive
fell upon his trousers and burned a hole in them so
big as 10 ruin them for all time The trousers were
brand new too. he said-never had had them on
but once before. lie wanted me TO let him know
by return mail what / intended to do. Unless
prompt settlement wero made he would sue tho com
pany not only for the value of the injured clothing
but for the shock TO his nerves which the accident
had caused | ordered the claim referred TO the
Bureau OF Repairs
zone of the most distressing appeals
for pass ever received reached
me one day last week. Mr. Depew
said, and his expressive face gave sure indication
that another good story coming. The man wrote
"Honorcd sir: l am extremely anxious to leave
town for week: indeed 1t is imperaivcly necessary
to the preservation Of my we'll being that should
co. Failure to do is certain to be attended with
disastrous results. Yet my pecuniary condition Is
such that my escape is hopeless unless you send
nc pass Perhaps you have been in the same SIT
uation yourself II you have you will certainly
extend to your sympathy and also your aid.
We expecting visit from my moiher-In-law.
Dear, good sir, do not, pray you, turn deaf ear
In this trying time"
Many letters TO Mr. Depew contain really pathetic
appeals for passes. Among these the requests
of poor women, sick and worn by toll and suffering.
and anxious to 60 to the homo Of some relative o.
hiend in the country who has kindly offered place
OF rest and change for few weeks
E" 1t is impossible to grant all these entreatIes7 he
remarked as he replaced of them the envelope,
addressed TO him in trembling hand. 1 heartily
wish / could. But they are seemingly all alike.
There appears 10 be little difference in the urgency
Of the various cases, and the public has not the
slightest idea how numerous they are
A class Of leter-wrfiers who have favored Mr..
Depew extensively during the last month Of the col
ege year Just ended the graduates aud under
graduates OF institutions In every part
of tho. country. They wrote asking all
sorts of questions and desiring his opinions regarding
topics for commencement Orauons were In great
demand, and many aspiring young men submitted
their subjects and line of thought for his approval
dinner subjects of discourse. and one person of un
questioned desired him , to send ,h on f
the senior feast had been served and the cigas lighted
" have also been receiving" Mr. Depew , added
at school and college, not only within the United
states but in Canada too, REQUESTING my advice as to
study and speech,maling-m than can ever find
time to answer Here Is one that bears the impress of
1%GSSod nSe and 1t ,sdSess given exactly as
onOrsOle Sir am va boy Of fifteen years Of age
to be aide and competent TO make when get to b9
our Sunday school Missionary Society and when got
up forgot what had to say and could not say Il,
teachers. and the superintendent told me TO learn
Il hotter next time, which Is impossible. bccal,e
I did know II all BY heart, but 1t went out of my
head.
Now dear honorable sir, VIII you give young boy
some good advice how TO become good man TO
make speeches and especially how not TO forget It
when you try to remember It. My mouth also got
very dry. Now, dear sir, excuse for writing TO
YOU as I do not know you but friend IN need may
do boy much good. and. therefore, hope you Will
pardon this liberty and kindly tell me how become
a good speaker. Hoping you will not be offended at
me, your admlring friend with respect, -.
. Honorable Chaunccy Depcw, New-YOrk Central
railroad, New-Y York. " "
al must see II cannot find time TO answer this
earnest and l should like 10 encourage him.