Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22

sour look when handed her her share az
stamps. T.,
Monsieur has given me 50 many stamps In
the last few days." she said mentioning the
length of time. yet during that time he has
received so many letters more than that"
1 was aghast. She had kept track OF every
stamp received, and when they did not check
with what gave her, an explanation was due
from me.
VERY guilty explained tina: before had
learned of her collecting the landlady had
approached me for stamps, and, !, never realizing,
of course, that madame, the concierge, was q
collector, had promised the landlady. 1t was
a very difficult position for me to be in But
the concierge after ALL is the most important,
and as she had first count on my letters she
received from that day on the majority Of my
stamps.
For a short time received my mail at
small bank which extended this service to tray
cling Americans. Here again I met with Q
request from one Of the bank clerks to give him
any stamps cared to.
journeyed to the south of France In the
second year of my stay in France. I had a
quaint apartment over laundry in a little
town smuggling up the mountainside near Nice.
The owner Of this, fat, good-natured middle
aged lady, had spent all of her 50-odd years of
lif. in this little town. She too, was stamp
collector. And upon the first day received mail
at her house the large batch of letters caught
her eye. When she brought up the letters
once again heard q request to which was now
becoming accustomed. So saved stamps for
her. Eut once again life was made difficult for
me, for the. two young girls who worked in, the
laundry for madame heard of the large mail I
was getting. So a, few mornings later two timid
maidens stood before my door and very hunpbly.
hoooa hot T foU with q fovR
stamps. Madame was such good soul that
when / told her about the matter she readily
agreed to letting each of her pretty employees
have a share Of the bounty.
il1
ONE day in Nice got number of letters.
After reading them went for walk
through the old town, region Of very narrow
and dirty streets. Presently I noticed little
urchin was following me closely He sided
closer and closer. In his eyes was queer long
ing. mingled with difidence, Withholding him
from speaking. He kept beside me until my
wonder was aroused. And now nothing Of my
past experience prepared me for what was
coming, for had not realized that his ga2e
was fixed on one part Of me, my side pocket,
from which protruded the ends Of several long
letters with the stamps showing. Finally stop
ped and asked him what he wanted. He pointed
to the stamps and with great timidity made the
request So made happy this pathetic ragged
little boy, more 30 than had given hlm money.
for already ut the age Of probably he had
been fred with the collectors zeal, truly
powerful virus.
Not long after, high up in the Alps ct
lonely monastery, spent q day visiting his
toric place. And In conversation with one OF
the monks I learned that not only he, but sew
eral of his brothers. collected stamps. I did
not think it was possible to be collector and
be without covetousneSs. But eVloenty enc
good brothers succeeded.
During my living In Paris 1t was often my
custom after receiving my mail TO drop into q
cafe on my way home.
And one day when had q particularly large
bundle Of letters the waiter said:
s'I have noticed monsieur several times with
many letters. Perhaps he would care to sen
me the stamps from them?"
This was the first time I had received an
offer of profitable nature I gave him per-
mission to cut of what stamps he wished. ana
when I was leaving he refused my tip.
A CROSS the wide court of the studio quarter
where I lived for time in Paris lived q
young French count Although was writer
by profession had taken one of the big atelierS
whose big windows made such place most
cheerful working place for the writer as wen
as the painter. A group Of these studios stlr-
rounded the court, and in the course of time
one became acquainted with the neighbors.
The young count, who was dabbling at painting
and got in the habit of dropping in informalls
upon each other. One afternoon went out
across the street to buy some matches. When
I returned found my door open, and upon
entering saw to my immense surprise the count
on his knees before the contents of my over
turned waste-paper basket He looked UP at ma
reproachfully, at the same time holding up In
his hand large envelope bearing two large
square stamps one red, one green.
You terrible person." he said and there was