The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-03-23
LETTER ON HENS.
Written by the Famous Horace
Greeley.


I Horace Greeley was noted for his I'M
/ readable handwriting, and only one
printer on the Tribune could decipher
It The Philadelphia Saturday Evening
Post Of recent date tells how one Of
Mr.. Greeley's subscribers wrote him
FOR some advice about hens, stating
that he wished to go into the poultry
business. The reply to the letter was
| as follows;
New York, Sept. S.-The war was a
failure. I hoped to see Jeff Davis in
| the White House. A young man stands
the best chance in Rhode Island. The
Tribune is the poorest newspaper in
New York. Yours truly,
HORACE GREELEY"
The next day the puzzled subscriber
went to New York and called upon the
great editor.
Wei, who are you and what do you
Want?' he asked in a high keyed voice,
without looking up or missing a single
pen stroke.
Il am Rev. Mr.. Van Dee of Duchess
county" the subscriber answered, keep
ing one eye on the door in case ne
should become violent
Never heard Of you" he returned,
Jabblng and boring with the pen.
i wrote to you a few days ago, and I
don't just understand your letter in
reply"
"Whard you write about?"
Hens. r.
Hens! Certainly! My reply was
about hens. When you inquire about
hens you get hens in answer. What'd
you expect-hippOpOtam
Pardon me, Mr.. Greeley. but YOU
did not write one word about hens. I
have the letter in my hand"
Read it," he snorted. beginning TO
let up a little on the pen.
very we'll" The letter was read.
You blistering idiot" ne screamed.
then whirled around and looked at the
visitor ferociously. Give me that let
ter"
Rev. Mr.. Van Dee stepped forward
and handed it 10 him. He snatched it
saVaSely, screwed up his eyes and be-
gan to study it. Gradually his face
heightened and grew black. Then he
read 1t in low, squeaking voice, as
If thinking aloud.
He paused with his mouth half open
and looked al the Rev. Mr. Van Dee
for full nitrate. Then he suddenly
recovered himself and struck a bell a
boy appeared, and he said
Go up to the composing room and
ask Dir. LarkWay 10 come down here 3,
The boy disappeared. The visitor re-
IaemDered having heard the name as
mat Of the only cOmpOsitor who could
read Greeley's copy.
In minute or two Larkwav sham
Died in. wearing carpet slippers and
carrying a blackened cob pine in one
hand. He was short thickset and very
bald. and he looked at his chief beui-
cosely over pair of misshapen iron
steclacIes, evidently expecting a row
about some mistake in his work.
Is That my writing, Larkway?''
Yes. sir
Read it,
New York, Sept. S.-The war was a
failure ] hoped to see jeff Davis in
the White House. A young man stands
the best chance in Rhode Island. The
Iflcune IS the poorest newspaper in
New York. Yours truly.
HORACE GREELEY"
AS he finished Greeley sank back in
his chair helplessly.
I'm done for" he gasped feebiv.
Just then Larkway took a quick for
ward step. eXclaiming.
Hold on. There's q mistaket had I
u wrong end IN" He seized the let
Ter. gave it quick turn, and then
Cnappaqua, Sept 3.-Dear Sir: You
VIII lind the Brahmas best for vour I
purpose. Leghorns are good layers. but /
they require high fence. If YOU de- /
Clae on Leghcrns you can clip one 1
wing. Please report how YOU succeed. /
HORACE GREELEY"
As he finished, Greeley sat IN in his /
chair as if made OF tempered Steel 1
springs He turned his blazing ewes ON I
the quaking visitor and. in voice /
winch put his teeth on. edge. cried:
90 back to Duchess county. voung 4
man; go back to Duchess e0untv! Stav |
tnere! Get down on your hands and
knees and see If YOU can learn fror, /
your hens how 20 pick gr3veIi Keen /
a. it,"