The Union Daily Times

"Too Busy to Write" Ruins Many Friendships--Says Prima Donna
Schumann-Heink, World's Best Loved Singer, Answers Thousands of Letters Each Week.

Who is the best loved singer in the world? There is, of course, no way of telling without taking an individual poll, but it looks as if Madame Ernestine Schumann-Heink would stand an excellent chance of heading the list if the hundreds of letters from enthusiastic admirers which she receives daily are any gauge. So wide is her acquaintance that she has often been called "the lady of a million friends."

On holidays her regular mail is trebled by the thousands of greeting cards which pour in from her admirers from every corner of the globe. Many of them are from people of whom she has never heard before, who take advantage of holidays or anniversaries to send her delicate expression of their appreciation of her music.

"But although I know personally but a fraction of those who send me their good wishes," says Madame Schumann-Heink, "I count them all my friends.
Nothing is so wonderful as a message from a friend on Easter, a birthday or an anniversary. Nothing can be dearer to a mother than such a message from her children on Mothers' Day.

"The practice of sending a happy thought or two to a distant friend is to my mind a beautiful one which, I hope, will grow in popularity. It keeps friendships from dying. If you lead a busy life and have many friends, it is often impossible to find time to write letters to each one. Frequently they drift away and are lost. A greeting card at Easter or Christmas, on Mothers' Day, which I place next in importance, or on birthdays or anniversaries would keep children and friends a little closer to our hearts.

"I find that very old people or very young people are especially pleased with cards. They reassure those who are passing into the twilight of life of the continued love and regard of their friends. And for children their bright colors and charming pictures have a particular fascination."