The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-06-01
FORGET-ME-NOTS.

The art of the deadhead is great art, and
the cheek of the deadhead is great cheek.
Chance has blown in my way a letter which is
as fine specimen of raw deadhead literature
as l remember to have seen anywhere. 1t is
written by the brother Of a naval officer of high
rank and good standing in Washington, and
addressed to a Government contractor who
gave handsome complimentary excursion to
a large number of public officials and other
gentlemen of Washington, on the completion
of his contract recently Let us call the con-
tractor Smith, let us say that the place was
Boston, and the occasion the completion of
new war ship. Names, dates, and places eX
cepted, here is full and true copy of the letter
which the deadhead addressed to the con-
tractor:
PHILADELPHIA,
A FEW DAYS AFTER THE EXCURSION
Mr.. Smith:
DEAR SIR: Allow me to thank you for your
kindness by entertaining me in such cour-
teous and princely manner upon the occasion
of your launching the -, and also upon your
success in having it so favorably received by
the Navy Department. May you live to enjoy
the benefit of building many fine ships
! have very fine bull pup which wish to
give you-fullblooded and with clear pedigree.
| Will send to you by express.
Now, Mr.. Smith, this is where the business
comes in,l my wife desires to join me, and
bring from Washington with her the wife of a
prominent Senator, who will be good friend
of yours. She is going to Boston TO see your
new war ship, sight she has never seen, and |
write to ask if you have two excursion tickets
that you have no use for that you will place at
my disposal for their use. | would be still
further under obligations TO you, and trust il
may soon be in my power TO reciprocate.
Whenever you desire to have any business
attended to in Washington connected with any
of the Government Departments consider me
at your command, and | assure you it will bt
executed with despatch. Thanking you fo
your kindness, and with best regards and sue
cess for yourself and those dear TO you, belieY'
me to be your true friend,
p. S.-If you can comply with my reques
send them as possible to me at thi
Continental Hotel, Philadelphia.
Another p S.-Of course will bear my 0wI
expenses.
Wei, no. 1t is not art. 1t isn't cheek. 1t i
the lowest and meanest sort of meanness. |
is downright mendicancy. | apologize to tn
deadheads, the noble band of deadheads, ''wh
toll not neither do they spin,m for havn
started out by CHASING this man among them
The writer of such letter as this is not dead
head. He simply and only beggar. Deadhead
ism is dignity itself by comparison. just exam
inc the method of the thing. How grateful til
writer is for past faYOrs. How the best wishe
of his heart are for the continued success c
Contractor Smith! The wife of that Senate
who is TO be such a good friend to Smith! Th
writer's own good services in the Department
And that bull pup! What will mean man nc
do for a free pass-sn excursion ticket that NJ
body has any use for, so to speak? And jul
think that the name signed TO this begging lie
ter belongs TO at least one gentleman promineI
and distinguished in the public service.
Mrs. Thompson was walking down Pennsy
.yania avenue with Mr. Brown. Brown is an il