Julu-August 2010
An interesting human-interest story:
This story was told many years ago. It seems that a Salvation Army collector in London England was asked to call upon Lord ------ and in the midst of a thick fog he lost his way. When in the neighbourhood of Buckingham Palace he ran against a gentleman and asked him if he could direct him to Lord ------'s house:
'Certainly,' he replied good-naturedly, 'I am going near the place myself. I will show you the house. I also know Lord ------ very well indeed.'
'We chatted away merrily,' recalled the collector. 'I told him all about my work, and of the magnificent labours of all those connected with the Salvation Army. He seemed deeply interested, and when at last I reached the house of Lord -----, he said to me in great earnestness':
'Oh, it is dreadful to think that so much suffering exists in this city! Is it really as bad as you say, sir?'
'It is, indeed,' I said.
'Well, I must say good-night,' he remarked after a slight pause. 'Before I go, however, I want you to accept this little gift --this gift for the poor suffering ones. May God bless you and the workers of the Salvation Army!'
He placed in my hand the 'little gift' --ten bright gold sovereigns.
'Sir,' I said, 'God will reward you for this generosity. But your name, sir? What name will I put down in my book?'
He seemed disturbed by this question, and replied hurriedly, 'No name at all --no name at all, please. simply 'Anonymous'.'
Just then the fog cleared a little, and I could see my generous friend's face distinctly. It was surely familiar to me --very familiar. Now, where and when had I seen that face before? All at once the truth flashed over me, and, raising my hat, I exclaimed: 'Your Royal Highness!'
'No, no!' answered the gentleman, smiling: 'not that, please --simply 'Anonymous.'
Raising his hat, and bidding me a hearty 'Good-night,' he swiftly hurried away.
'Yes,' concludes the collector, 'it was His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales --later to become His Majesty Edward VII.'
[From 'The Westminster Budget', Jan. 23, 1903].
Humorous story:
From the 'Monthly Chronicle' (June 1888):
A salesman was doing his best to induce the good lady of the house to purchase a vacuum cleaner. 'And does it really pick up the dirt?' she inquired. 'Yes, Madam,' he replied. 'Only yesterday I ran it over one of those French novels and when I'd finished it looked like 'The War Cry.'
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