Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-29

we'll known comedian who was selected as
a likely victim by an autograph hunter.
Another gentleman prominent Wesleyan
divine, penned most emphatic refusal to
similar request for "a scrape of the pen, "
pointing out the folly of all such fads and
fancies, and actually wound up his letter
by fourishlng full-length signature, which
was identically what the applicant was
seeking.
Andrew Carnegie can tell many good
stories about his experience with the anna
tour Autograph hunter" One of the best
of his yarns" relates to the appeal OF a
Scotch lass, who wrote to Mr.. Carnegie for
"a few lines to insert in my album, which
is entirely reserved for the calgraphy Of
famous men, The subtle humor of the
epistle, however, was contained In the clos
ing clause, which read: Should you feel
obliged to refuse this request, will you
kindly send me a personal letter, stating
your reasons, and thus I shall be certain
that the refusal is genuine?' This smart
for the personal letter would have been
an even greater treasure than the few
lines needed to ornament the album.
The late Lord Salisbury possessed de-
cided aversion to signing his name for col
lecung" purposes, and many persistent
signature searcher' has had to confess
failure to obtain a specimen of his lord
ships writing; but a rather good story Is
told of one of the workmen on the Hatfield
estate who was afflicted with the mania for
autographs, and who sought to commence
a new album with a contribution from the
aged premier. Meeting with his ludship"
In the grounds, this man pretended to be
stone deaf. and the moment Lord Salisbury
accosted him he pulled out fountain pen
and sheet OF paper and politely requested
his master to jot down any commands he
might wish to make.
Lord Salisbury wrote a few words, then,
being somewhat surprised that he had not
been notified of the mans inilrmity, pro-
ceeded to make further inquiry into the
matter. In this way the slim little rusa
was speedily exposed and the man, on be-
ing questioned. confessed that, not caring
to ask outright for the coveted signature.
he had adopted this method of gaining the
wished-for lines. Happily his lordship was
rather pleased with the ingenious move.
and not only forgave the enthusiastic hob
byist, but took some interest in obtaining
few valued additions to the collection:
The story of Prince Alexander's auto
graph deal" in which he parted with a let
ter from our late beloved Queen Victoria
for pounds, the said epistle containing
severe lecture on extravaganza, is too
well known to merit repetition, but the
crushing reply received by an autograph
collector who wrote to one of England's
greatest self-made men for a signature is
worthy of record.
IT am informed the answer read, terse-
w THAT YOU are indebted to me through
my business to the extent of nearly 91OO.
I shall be delighted to write my name at
the foot of your account as receipt IN
full for cash forwarded at your earnest
convenience"
Another rather cool request, which was
sent to a relative of a recently deceased
celebrity, was worded as follows: Dear
Sir: believe you are in possession of sew
eral letters written by the celebrated au-
thor, If this Is so. will you kindly
forward me one, or at least page OF one'
for my autograph ALBUMIN
The reply was very pointed and prompt:
Dear Sir: In answer to yours, may say
that the only specimen of that gentleman. s
signature l have the honor TO possess Is
appended to an o U in my favor for ESQ.
You may have the same at cost price,