Waterbury Democrat., 1901-12-31
TRIED TO INTERVIEW KING

The English reporter was in rem iniscent mood. He admitted that things were done differently in this country After thoughtfn4 puff at at his cigar he began to tell SC ~S of his experiences
 My first Journalistic interview, he said. was with King Edward S private secretary on behalf of the first number of the Candid Friend, which was being started by Frank Harris. the brilliant journalist who made such | success of the Saturday Review, and whose amiability of character is so well known to those who have been associated with him. AS he paid no attention to several letters which wrote him, urging my claims to become a member of his staff, I laid siege to him in his office and after waiting some hours managed to waylay him and stated my wishes.
 z What can you dor he asked grufflv.
 Everything, 1 said, promptly.
 That's large order,' said Frank Harris.
 "'I was told it was the proper an SWer to make said.
 :. He looked me over for minute. 'Ha,' he said. You can do everything? Not afraid of anybody?'
 "sNo,' said. with q curious sinking sensation, wondering what was going to come next.
 Well, we want to get some news about the king. Just run down to Marlborough house and get me q little news about him. With that he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving me wondering whether to give it up or to see what could be done in the matter. Finally I decided to have . shot at it, so 1 arrayed myself in an immaculate frock coat and went down Pail Mall to Marlborough house. There was a sentry pacing up and down in front, and a policeman, doubtless sta tioned there to ward off cranks and anarchists, eyed me suspiciously. So I had not the courage to ring at the bell, but slipped around the back en- trance by a private door and reached it unmolested rang the bell and q funky came to the door.
 . Is the king at home? I said
 "The magnificent man withered me with a glance which seemed to read me through, past present and future. If not 1 said, I will see his secretary instead'
 He took my card and left me at the ante-chamber. Two. or three gen. tlemen We're lolling about, and two lit tie pages were playing eats cradle' They did not look up as I entered. It was then that I fully realized that I was committed to the enterprise. I could not run away, so 1 trusted that somehow 1 might come successfully through the ordeal. Presently another hunky entered and signed to me in q lofty manner to follow him. I stepped through folding door, and in the passage saw a mild-looking old gen. tfeman, clad in a rather ill-ftting black coat There was neither medals nor orders upon his narrow chest, and at first 1 wondered who it could be, but he relieved me by asking what I want ed. Then 1 knew stood face to face with Sir Francis Knollys, the kings secretary, and, if rumor speaks truly, the butt of his royal wit. Then I laid bare my errand.
 ''I have come to see you upon an important matter I said. We arc stdrting q new, high class newspaper, and it has occurred to me that his majesty would probably like to have some semi-officiaI means of communi- cation with that vast public which takes such a deep interest in all his doings. So I have called to ask you if you will let us have about a column weekly on his doings, his thoughts, his aspirations
 never saw a man look so absO- 1utely dangerous as Sir Francis Knol- lys. He leaned up against the wall and eyed me silently for the space of a minute; then he said
 s'But, my dear sir, such q request is unheard of. 1 should not dare to do such thing
 "I was very much cast down at that, after had braved the dangers of the sentry and policeman and the scorn of the funky. My face must have re- fected what felt. for the secretary softened somewhat and said
 "'Of course. if there is any one thing in which you are specially in terested, might, without impropriety, answer. one question on the. subject. What is it that you specially wish to know?
 "'I want to know if all the reports about his majesty in. the papers are true?'
 I can't say, I'm sure. I never read the papers. Bnt if you wish to ask any one specific question:
 "Only one question out of all the hundreds 1 had wanted to know I had intended to ask the amount of the royal debts, whether the king had