Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-01-30
ROBERT BROWNING.
How Number of Enthusiastic Maidss,
Secured His Autograph.

A good story comes to me from tbs
other side about Robert Browning, say,
a writer in the n. Y. Commercial i'd
UeytjSer.
One day last summer the famous poet
was strolling through Hyde park and
was Just turning into Piccadily whena
beyy of American girls, who were in
one of Cooks parties espied him, The
old man was walking along leisurely
smiling the early morning air and
smiling contentedly at himself and
pretty parlor-maid, who was busting in
a window of one of the big mansions
overlooking the park. He is parteu.
larry fond of feminine admiration but
he was not prepared for the united at
tack that was in store for him. An
elderly chaperon in the party was the
first to espy the poet, and at once gave
the note of discovery.
There's Browningl' she said.
There was a temporary panic, and
thirty-nine women caught their breath
and sprang forward a foot or two.
"Where?" they calculated.
There said the old damsel, point.
ing to the poet in his black velvet
jacket, walking, leisurely ahead Of
them.
"How do you knowP" was the reply
know? OF course | know. Haven't
l seen his pictures often enough2 Don't
you suppose know Browning when |
see himPo
care you certainP" said thirty-nine
shrill maiden voices in unison.
Eyes, was the calm reply, you cant
fool me on Browning; know him, and
she started after him on a run. The
others followed. They swooped down
on the old man ike the locusts Of
Egypt. He stood still and threw up bis
hands in horror; he retreated to
stoop, looked down on the forty pretty
maidens, and asked almost breathlessly
what they wanted.
lis this Mr., Browning, the poet''
asked one of the girls.
The poet nodded an assent.
Then you are Just the man we want
to see the forty women chimed in
chorus.
Really ladies, said the poet, "you
oyerwhelm me. | have not the honor
of your acquaintance, II" lie
could proceed no further, but reiterated
a step or two further up the stoop as
the forty women moyed'forward as one
man. 1t was no use. The gray-haired
poet continued until he had backed up
against the front door, and the women
followed him remorselessly
"Youma think our conduct strange, p
said one of them, "but we have read SO
much of your works that we really are
anxious to see YOU and know you.
Yes, said another. "and we want
your autograph, every one Of us.
Instantly forty autograph album;
were pulled out and showed under the
old mans nose. Forty hands were
stretched out to grasp his. There was
no getting away from them He was
backed up against the door and the
women were obdurate. He shook each
hand as it was presented to him untl
the whole number had retired satisfied
then, after one girl had handed him
stylographic pen, he proceeded to write
his name in his cramped hand writing
in each autograph album. This TOOK
some time and attracted some attention.
but there was no getting away from IL
When his name was placed ON the lasi
book he ran down the steps as nlm0i!
as a boy and off across the park ike .
frightened deer.
That night forty tired hands rested
softly on forty autograph albums under
forty pillows in aLondou hotel. Ii the
rest Of their European trip had been 2
failure they were satisfied; they naa
seen Browning; they had taken hIn
by the hand; they had his autograph
they were indeed happy American glIis