Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1911 — A Self-Burning Letter. [ARTICLE]

A Self-Burning Letter.

One unique suggestion coming to the patent Office recently is for a selfburning letter. Though the commissioners tried to keep the process secret the story soon leaked out and the suggestion was offered as a defense to the ardent swain who pours forth bis soul in endearing and eloquent correspondence in a breach of promise suit or in the divorce court helps to swell the alimony and excite popular derision. Love letters have always played a conspicuous part in the affairs of nations, and still more momentous role in the history of hearts, but they generally possess peculiar features that make them “impossible” In cold type. Of course, much depends upon toe eyes that read them, but no matter how romantic the reader, If the eloquence Is not Intended particularly for him or her, the sentiments appear "stilted,” “silly" or “disgustingly senr timental.” Hence the advantage of the self-burning letter; so far as has been lqarned, however, the “novel contrivance" is but a sheet to which a certain brand of very flat match is attached for a suggestion.