davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON


beginning, because there are lots Of other
little boys and girls only seven who
have wanted the autographs of lots OF
other prominent men. The nice part OF
the story is that Fortune smiled very
sweety upon this little boy in particular
and, by some mysterious chance of which
she alone is aware. the letter came under
the eye of the secretary himself. AND
better yet, he read it. But best CT all;
he was touched by the request and did
not send the little fellow the regular
autograph. but dictated letter in which
he commended him for his spirit and
.Americanism which he of course sign
ed. And so one little boy get letter all
for himself.
But everybody who asks for Secretary
Nagels autograph is not SO fortunate
and some receive only d plain card with
his name written across it. Ii everybody
received a personal letter there would he
no point to the story about the little boy,
nor any cause for him to be as proud aus
he very probably is. Requests for pho
tographs also are not infrequent, but as
the Secretary has special photographs
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

tary's autograph to the letter requesting
the same ard sends it back.
In this way, explained Mr.. Slanker.
1.-The person writing secures what he or
she wants and We are spared the neces-
sity of writing another letter, which
should properly speaking be signed by
the secretary himself and which would
mean that every time we sent out an
autograph two would GO"
But this is not the only innovation which
has been made in regard to autograph
hunters. Secretary Meyer has the repu-
tation of being glad to grant such re-
In the case of pictures, however, it is
different, as pictures such as the Secre-
tares have are unusually expensive, and
are sent out but rarely. The Secretary
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

of the Navy, however. has had reproduce
tions made, each bearing his Autograph,
which allows him to send a considerable
number out for the cCSt of one of the
originals. thereby pleasing good many,
anxious to add his picture to their collec-
ton.
There is at least one little boy in this
country who in all probability is the
proud possessor of personal letter from
the Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Charles Nagel. This is an unusual state
of affairs and happened in this way
One day a letter reached the Department
of Commerce and Labor from little boy
Everybody would have known the boy
was little from his writing even if he
had not said. II am seven years cid and
want your name" But that Is only the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
How We All Take II.
CERTAIN dramatic agent of \

A CERTAIN dramatic agent of New
& \ York told. at tea at the Colony
Club. story both amusing and true.
ITO grow old properly" he said, sis to
grow old keeping the mind and the heart
young. Few accomplish this feat, but
all think they do so. That misconceptiou
prevents old age from being tragic.
You all know Helen Dash. She is q
great-grandmoths1 now, but she was once
a famous actress. She chung to the stage
to the very last: she saw. year by year,
her applause lessen, her salary. decrease
and her press notices shorten. Yet do
you think that Helen Dash was unhappy
Not at ALI --.--.-..
Not at all. When. one night in her
sixty-eighth year. Helen in a new role
got. instead of tumuituous applause, cold
silence and even q few venomous Misses
she took the contretemps calmly, and on
the way home she said to her maid a
worn old woman like herself:
II think I'll retire. Acting is thank
less work nowadays. The public has
aged So"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

fnfrequently request will come to the
White House asking for the pen with
which President Taft signed a certain
bill. And SO, it would seem, President
cannot have particular pen to which he
Is attached. for 1t would certainly find
it's way into somebody's collection ere
long. These requests come in frequently
enough to keep the Presidents pen pretty
new. and besides he really does send the
pen. and not one which ne has never
used. So those who are fortunate enough
to have a pen with which such-and-such
bill was signed need not harbor any
doubts about the truth of the statement;
If the pen was forwarded under such an
understanding 1t is certain that the Presi-
dent did use it.
And another thing which happens at
the White House is to have two requests
come in for the same pen. And In the
effort to Oblige as many people as pos
Sible the pen is cut I'm half and a part
sent to each person. AS to asking for the
Presidents pictures, there are many such
requests. which can not always be grant
ed. Many. however, come from clubs or
associations and are always granted
Others who are lucky enough to get
picture of the chief executive of the Unit
ed States are foreign diplomats. and
visitors who call upon him at the White
House or at his summer home. which
deos not mean that they are thrust upon
them, but simply that if they express
a desire for an American souvenir" i'm
they are pretty sure to get it.
And even after this list of souvenirs l.
enumerated. the end is not Yet. People
send in requests for the blottcrs with
which he has blotted his signature. Silk
patches are sent in for his autograph so
that tine patch can be worked in quilt
and sold at church fair, and requests
even come i'm asking the President to
send them some little trinket of Mrs.
Taft's so that they can sell it at a bazaar
or other affair, to raise money for some
thing. And right in line with this come;
another class of souvenir giving. The
President has several charities to which
he regularly sends souvenirs but not
in the shape of autographs or such. but
in the shape of money to aid the work.
In the case of the cabinet members it
is mostly the private or confidential Sec
rotary who attends to the work of an
Swering requests for autographs and
photographs. In the majority of cases
they get the secretaries to sign "a bunch
supply equal to the demand without
causing as much trouble as though the
autographs were signed as each request
was received
In the Office of the Secretary OF the
Navy. George Won Lengerke Meyer. a
system has been inaugurated by which
the work is brought to the easiest posi-
BILE working basis. In the ma jority OF
cases it is the custom to write a letter
saying that the request for an autograph
of the secretary has been complied with
and that it is enclosed. This is signed
usually by the private, ccnfidentih, or
some other secretary in the Secre ary'S
Office But f. F. Slanker, the secretary's
confidential secretary. does otherwise. lie
simply fastens a card bearing the secIe-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

made up by one particular photographer
in Missouri he sends them only to his
personal friends or to people who also
have some claim to prominence.
In the requests which come to the office
of the Secretary of the Interior, Richard
Ballinger. are some which are both un-
usual and amusing. One received recently
was from a woman in New England who
made the proposal to the Secretary that
he and the other members of the cabinet
buy a patchwork quilt, which she had
made. and present it to President Taft,
for him in turn to present to Mrs Taft.
The price for the quilt ranged somewhere
between $40 and $500, and did not appear
to be stationary.
Many requests come to the Secretary
for his autograph, ats he is not immune
from the attacks of the collectors. The
card he sends out with his name written
across it is different from that of the
other cabinet members in that it has in
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

the number of Indian leases now being
handled. Without referring to notes
Miss Kenny said about 21,GO0." This
was deemed incorrect and Information
asked for from the west. On receipt of
the statement il was : found to read
'.20.92S''
She has never studied law and yet is
compelled to know it sufficiently as not
TO make any mistake in her sense Of
Asked how she acquired the knowledge
she replied nOnchalantly: "Oh, l just
picked it up
Very early i'm the hunt for Lovely
Woman Toiing Like Man the writer
was told: You positively must see Mrs.
Heidemann who makes models of all the
bugs in the Agricultural Department"
This sounded highly interesting, and the
temptation, on meeting the charming
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
Women Who Work at Unusual 7 asks in Washington


because delinquents of the female per-
suasion are always sending word to the
door that they cant see the collec-
tor because they are mot dressed, IT
would be a clever idea to send that
dreaded visitor in petticoats. thus do
ing away with any such excuse. 1t is
fine idea from the creditors stand
point, but the ladies of the many debts
are yet TO be heard from. Anyway. sew
eral young Washington women are be-
ginning to get salaries in that way and
not even the grouchiest objector to their
invasion of mans field of endeavor Will
doubt that they earn them.
There are numerous employment asen-
cieS for every branch of domestic service,
clerical work and special positions run
by women in Washington. One woman
manufactures hats and bonnets. and
strangely, out of the entire printed list
entered as coat makers all but one are
women. Nor does this signify dressmaK-
ers, but manufacturers. There is sol
itary female importer, woman VINO
combines the jobs of insurance broker
and agent. and respectable showing
of feminine real estate agents and
brokers' although these mostly conduct
their business on the vest pocket plan
thereby saving Office rent and much ad-
vertising.
There is a woman living in Washing
ton who takes big contracts for avn
ings and manufactures them: woman
who is a registered drug clerk and who
owns and runs her drug store; wom-
an successfully conducting a coal and
wood business, and several bakers, as
distinguished from women who merely
run bakeries. Woman BARRIERS have
Leen a fact within the District for the
past three years, but they do not as yet
own and conduct shops. There are woman
book dealers, managers of cigar stores,
caterers and manicurists galore For
some unexplained reason chirOpodistS
have invariably been of masculine per-
suasion. Even in this progressive day
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

number OF pictures for these purposes
are not infrequent. One case of this kind
happened only recently. when a southern
woman asked the Secretary for some OF
his autographed pictures to sell TO raise
money for fountain she expects to
build shortly In the town in which she
resides
Secretary James Wilson. head of the
Department of Agriculture. is popular
with class OF people to whom the other
members of the cabinet are little more
than mere names. As the head OF the
Agricultural Department Secretary Will
son stands high in the opinion of the
farmers and growers OF this country. and
consequently not only they but their
children are continually ciamoring for
his autograph. Sometimes. too, he has
other requests. but few come in asking
for his photograph unless they are from
people he knows personally. Exceptions
there are. however. and I'm cases where
1t is possible his picture is sent
IL would seem that Secretary Wilson
was more fortunate than some OF his fell
low-cabinet members. for no request is
on file where he was asked for a hand
kerchief, while several exist where "A
handkerchief has been sent him with the
request that he sign his name on II i'm
pencil This in turn goes To other no
made up into a sofa cushion which brings
i'm a good price at a fair.
Secretary Philander Chase Knox. tie
head of the State Department. is probably
the luckiest man in the cabinet in cons
nection with the requests for autographs
and pictures, as il would seem that he re :
ceives fewer than any of the other mem
bers. Friends he has I'm large numbers
who ask and receive his pictures. but his
position as head of the State Department
has perhaps shielded him from the at
tacks of the collectors and they have
hesitated to ask. That does not mean that
he receives absolutely no requests. because
he does. but the number which comes To
the State Department is less than that
which finds its way to some OF the other
members. But what requests do come
find the Secretary willing to respond.
Attorney General George Woodward
Wickersham. head of the Department OF
Justice can almost shake hands with Sec
rotary Knox, for the glamor OF the law
and of diplomacy seem to have thrown
protecting capes around him also. Toe re-
quests which the Attorney General re
friends and politicians. Autograph hunt
ers. too. come TO the Attorney General.
and he is not immune from the necessity
of writing up a number of cards at regu-
lar intervals in order that some enthu-
siastic collector may not be kept waiting
longer than he (the collector. be ii under
stood thinks Is right and proper.
And so Ii goes. President Taft in his
busiest day may find a request for his
autograph from a wee tot away off some
where sandwiched in with the important
duty of signing a bill. and the members
OF his cabinet find their days work inter-
rupted as well by the insistent clamor-
ing Of the lockers on" who have been
dazzled by the limelight and are anxious
10 boast Of having his autograph"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

gained the sob iquet of the blind
reader" because writing and languages
TO which other people in the postal
service We're blind could be mentally
seen by her
Thousands Of parcels and letters
fraught with every human hope and de-
sire and very often containing vaIuables
and money have come to Mrs. Collins
a. last resort. And il is estimated
that nearly always fifty, and often seven
~, per cent of such matter was correctly
placed by her knowledge of foreign
tongues and dialects and rare diyinaton
Of what was in the writer's mind which
he she forgot To comp etc the address.
Mrs. Collins was splendidly equipped for
her work by father who taught her
Latin and French at very early age.
She came of southern family, having
q strong strain of Creole blood, and the
scccui Of the Partisan was easily gained.
- Gfteen she knew her own English
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

In the busy life which besets Presi-
dent it would not be strange If he had
but scant time in which 10 give out
autographs. Yet President Taft sends
out many of them. The manner i'll which
the Presidents mail is handled is diff
ferent from that of any of the cabinet
officers and at the same time interesting.
When il comes in il Is first opened, then
passed on to one of his secretaries. 1t is
then sent in to steuoorap her and an
itemized list made of each days letters.
If among them there should be request
for an autograph from Il little girl 1T
might appear before the President i'll this
form: Margaret Brown. twelve years,
of New York city, wants autograph. So.
while the President really never sees
these letters he knows personally that
little Margaret wants his autograph. and
so gladly writes it on the card sent In
for that purpose by the secretary.
But requests for autographs are not
all that President Taft receives. Not
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

- THE man look
ing on there is
no more interest
ing or attractive
figure than that of
the man higher
up And this Is
especially so when
the man looking
on" happens to be
an Il u I . e T. a y n
hunter. BIT the
government is all
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

ready for them, despite the magnitude OF
the task From the President down
through the cabinet and the various de-
partnents systemattic method has been
evolved which best suits each particular
case and at the same time makes the
work as light and the disappointments
to the collectors as infrequent as posi-
bic.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

HERE are in Wash
in2to0 = numDe.
o. women who,
through the pos
ssion of unique
talents. enjoy a
monopoly of GER
tain professions,
and others whose
proficiency along
certain lines enables
them to rise above
the avera &c female
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13
VARIOUS Plans to Sat-


v isfy Demands of Sou
venir Seekers with Minimum
Loss of Time-Often Many
Autographs Are Written at
One Sitting and Kept for
Observation-Disclosures and
Cabinet Officers Also Asked
to Contribute Photographs,
Handkerchiefs, etc, for Char
ity Fairs-All the Officials
Find 1t More Convenient to
Give the Desired Autograph
Than to Refuse 1t.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

woman herself. to ask what the bugs
think OF it was too irresistible. But Mrs.
Heidemann-Mica Zesta Heidemann is the
quaint Danish name she bears-dis-
claimed any responsibility for the Carl
caturng of her feIow-beings.
The bugs | model are all insects she
explained seriously. land usually ones
which prey grain and trees-all the
destroyers of the smaller animal life.
you ,now.''
And then she proceeded to show photo
graphs of the enlarged models from the
skeleton out, including the most exquis-
itely colored sIken and gauZe wings. But
when she displayed enlarged caterpillars
with eyes large as the average dogs
the caller thought it time to discuss BIZ
ography. Mrs. Heidemann. then, is the
only woman in Washington who makes
bugs for the government.
Her husband is an entomoiogist. and it
was through constructing insects for him
that she first became interested in it,
Previously all the models We're made
abroad at a much greater outlay She
explained that it was taken up as pot
boiling. pure and simple-her own life
work being that of a modeler in clay
and formerly a sculptor of brOnZes and
marbles. many superb figures and busts
of which adorn her home.
But life ees too short for dat now"
she explained in her cultured broken
English Now we send to the artistic
marble-worker and he cuts, by accurate
measurement, the finished product from
the clay
Asked of what she makes her bugs, she
stated that almost everything imaginable
is utilized. and that ii is very tedious
work, days being required for one insect.
and often several pairs of wings having
to be fashioned before they are COR
rect. From the details it would seem
that in her case is most strongly illus
trated the definition that genius is an
infinite capacity for taking pains"
In this group of women who stand alone
in their professions belongs the name of
Mrs. H. H. Hempler Her gift, or knack-
for it can scarcely be termed an acquired
arts so remarkable that the wonder is
she has lived here for thirty-fVe years In
the pursuit of it without gaining newspa-
per notoriety Maybe because people who
benefit by her skill are the least anxious
10 talk about it, for she inserts artificial
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

Some rather odd vagaries performed by
divers persons in money matters have
come to Mrs. Leonard's notice. I'm 1885,
she remarked, Il counted a package of
notes received from Pittsburg bank.
and among them came across a ten
which. while unquestionably genuine, felt
too thick. l soaked 1t in water, and then
carefully separating the back from the
face, found another note hidden between
them.
Frequently, money is redeemed which
is almost past recognition. The practice
of some careful persons of burying bills
as well as coip In the earth leads some
times TO the decomposition of the paper.
Several interesting cases of this sort have
come to my attention.
"A colored man, living near St. Louis,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-13

r-s eosraAsrEe eEseeAI
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-12-22

II Tos waaa tAe Be-s v,~a,.
paper and The Bed Farm r..
The State fer The Price % o.
rex.
We are ssiii striving % ssez
eee subscribers 70 TIA CT
Our List h steadily growing -.
must hare more nsw saAse-ss
reach tat number. Here l.
fer: We win sena TIE CO.
and The Progressive Farzs- "a -
sests. 70 new snhsertee-s. 80 20
year. for only tt.ees Rszs~s~.
you must % new saasertes. :,
paper. To any Of our old -
srs uho Win re- u . nsw $50
TO The caueasisn and TNs -
awe Farmer and Gaassts, hosN -
year for ti.oo. ne will ssas . :.
cent package OF needles tiigtn.s
oer1 90 . premium.
Remember. the oss suh.crssa. -.
receive the premium for As, -
Address.
THE CAUCASIAN
Raleigh. N :
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-12-22
CHRISTMAS CARDS FATHER.
British Artist Originated. This Form of
Greeting In 1874.

British Artist Originated. This Form of
Greeting In 1874.
Some day surely a grateful monu
ment will be erected to the memory of
W. A. Dobson, the parent of the Christ
mas card, for he was true herald of
peace and good viii to the world and
no small benefactor to commerce, says
writer In Tit-Bits.
In 1874 Mr.. Dobson, who later be-
came a famous member of the Royal
academy, was young man earning
modest income as master of the gov
eminent School of Design at Birming
ham. One evening in December in
stead Of writing his usual letter of
Christmas good wishes to a friend it
occurred to him to substitute a pic
torial greeting, and, taking a piece Of
card about twice as large as modern
postcard, he began to draw on it In
i the center of the three panels into
which he divided his design he sketch
ed Il family group raising glasses to
the health of distant friends amid q
seasonable environment of holly and
IulSSIelO6, Willie Oh EACH sue Oh IIlS
festal scene he drew a picture Of a
deed of charity.
This card Mr.. Dobson dispatched to
his friend. giving it no further thought
The friend. however, was delighted
with his novel and artistic Christmas
greeting and showed it everywhere
proudly, to the equal admiration OF bis
acquaintances. Everybody begged fol
a similar card, and in the following
December the amiable Mr.. Dobsor
etched another design and this time
had it autographed and sent out cop
les by the score. In the foIlowin,
year he had several imitators, and th,
Christmas card was at last launches
on the tide OF popular favor, although
even then If Mr.. Dobson had been toll,
that his modest card OF 1874 woul,
have 100000 descendants sixty-fiv
years later in Great Britain alone b
would probably have thrown up hi
hands In amazement and incredulity.
The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1910-12-22

the tree a concert is given If the
weather is bad. But whenever Christ
mas eve is pleasant and the latitude is
suitable the passengers go on deck,
which they find to be shielded from
the wind by canvas, brilliantly lighted
and decorated with flags and bunting.
And. I tell you, on moonlight night,
with calm sea and soft, pleasant air,
In the Mediterranean, for example, a
Christmas eve ball aboard great ship
is something for most passengers to
remember.
'T'm sure I can't imagine anything
more charming for those who enjoy
dancing. The romance. the poetry OF
1t all, must be delightful to the pas
sengers. Boston Globe.