The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-21
AN UNKNOWN CORRESPONDENT.
Curious story of How Nine Girls Got
Married.
New Orleans Times-Democrat

New Orleans Times-Democrat.
Il by the papers" remarked New Or
dozens OF sentimental notes have been found in
supplies sent to the army in the Philippines. They
come from romantic factory girls and are baited
hooks. blind-cast in the of chance. hope
some may land good FISH. But what set out TO
paragraph recalled one of the most curious and
whimsical adventures l had in my life. I'll
give you the facts as briefly as possible. In the
winter of 1855 l spent several months ranch
San Diego California. There
get our supplies and one day 1 dropped in and
bought a box of light cotton socks. In looking
over my purchase when l reached home l felt
somSthins IN the toe OF one OF the SOCKS, anu
much to my surprise, pulled out letter written
in girls hand. 1t said in substance That the
factory. where the hosiery was made and knew
that this special consignment was going 10
California which had always been the land Of
her dreams She drew a graphic picture OF the
and admitted with half-humorous frankness that
she had sent the message in the vague hope that
Tonotony. Altogether II was an amazingly
clever ietter-bright. breezy. and at the same
II turned up, IT naturally mace profound I'M
preston on my mind. IL was signed Barbara
Hollis After thinking II over few days with
Increasing interest ana curiosity, l sat down and
wrote reply. which / mailed in care Of the
general delivery as no specific address had been
gwen me prospect OF witty, seIni-sentiInental
correspondence was very allurng just then. for
the ranch itself was not an Overliveiy place, and
was thoroushly disappointed a couple or weeks
lator TO get back my letter. stamped ''unde
livered.' Ny next move was 10 write to the post
master. asking whether ne could supply me with
the address of the lady named and he replied
official blank giving me to understand
that postmaSters are not required 10 do any
thing except draw their pay. Then | tried the
owners of the factory, and they returned my let
ter with NO such person now employed here
penciled on the bottom. With that gave up in
despair.
the broker went on. but she finally faded out of
my mind and thought no more OF her until she
was recalled by mere chance fully year after
ward. l was north at the time, and had been
summoned by business 10 Manchester, New
Hampshire where, In looking time table
morning. l happened to notice that the town
in which the hosiery factory located
Oriy short distance away and connected by
trolley. II seems rather foolish thing for a
man of my age to admit but Immediately be-
came excited and could hardly wait to secure
directions as to the route. j soon got car, and
in less than hour was the ground. with
out anything definite in my mind except fixed
determination to find and meet the mysterious
Barbara. II had TO turn the whole place inside
out TO 90 IT, l concluded 10 first go To the fac
tory and make guarded inquiries. on the
pretext that l had a message 70 deliver from
friend. 1t was an immense tremendously big
concern but they received me very corteously in
the Office and one OF the bookkeepers went care
a vain effort to find the name At last he
brihtened IN TN tell you what you do he
He's been superintendent OF the knitting rooms
ever since started. and give you line
stairs and found Ferguson at roll-top desk H S
was big and genial. but when / stated the object
of my visit a strange. startled look flashed across
his TAT face Barbara HoIlis.' he repeated i'm an
awed tone: 1 haven't heard that name in ten
years. Is she dead. then. | asked. greatly
shocked. Well. yeS-er-that is say. she ism I
exactly alive. he replied. Not exactly aliver I
exclaimed In Amusement No said he: but why
do you ask What 90 you know about herr I
thought IL best to be frank. and made clean
breast OF II. but before | got through Ferguson
writing in spasms OF elephantine mirth
'Ha, IA, har he reared: III that don't beat ali
Then he caught his breath and explained
barbara Hollis isn't girl he said. and
never was She was syndicate. There were
nine in it at the start That was away back in
80 IS. and they the best lockers in the
shop. They thought up this scheme OF sending
notes in socks. and the smartest in the
crowd did the writing They were all signed the.
Barbara Hollis''-anG when the answers
BEGAN TO in they divided them IN. accord
ing TO taste Well. sir. you would hardly believe
it, Ferguson wen on but blamed II the whole
spcndcnce, They made the that did the
writing hold or until the last and then the story
leaked out. Ii set the rest OF the girls in the
shop crazy that the boss had issue a strict
der against anybody else trying the same
scheme II he hadn't. every sock we sent out
would have had ten-nage letter in the toe.
But Il beats the world he added how YOU got
stcrekeeper rnust have a dandy fresh stock Of
gents furnishings Where are the cirls now %
l asked. feeling sort OF dazed. Living all ever
the country he replied: at least eight OF them
are We have one hack with Us. She's widow.
Would you like TO meet her. Not your lifei'
I shouted. and | got out OF the place quick as
I could. The idea OF that syndicate woman gave
an demonstrating her tentacles in every direc-
| ton and gathering In her prey, never breathed
easy until got back 10 Manchester