OCR Text |
Show Autograph Hunter's Coup. Autograph hunting sometimes proves a most profitable pursuit. Lud-ovic Lud-ovic Picard, a Frencb Bohemian of the '50s, made a steady income out i it for several years. One of his most scccessful coups was accomplished with a letter In which he posed as "a member of the unhappy race of the unappreciated who Is meditating sui 'ide and seeks for counsel and aid ift this hour of sore distress." This drew a numher of celebrities, including Beranger and Heine. Lacor-daire Lacor-daire sent him ten closely written pages, which were promptly converted into cash. Dickens also fell a victim of his wiles and took the trouble to answer him in French. Eventually Picard was shown up in the press by Jules San-deau San-deau and had to seek another occupation. |