Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-04-06

he was early at the general post otilce, but
was informed that the Postmaster General
together with the President and cabinet
had gone on an excursion down the Poto-
mac to Mount Vernon, so that day there
would be no opportunity of making his
application. The next day he was inform
ed at the department that the Postmaster
General could be seen at his private Office.
His name and business was required by the
usher, when he was informed by the Off
cial that if he would present his papers, he
would be granted an interview by the head
Of the department in his turn there were
637 applicants for various situations, who
had the preference. To Mr.. Pap alone
would the 63S audience be granted. Fur
ther, that message would be left at his ho-
tel when his presence would be required.
Pap went to his lodgings and waited four
days, sustained by hope On the fifth,
about three O'Clock, letter was handed
him, requiring his immediate presence at
the department. He chartered hack, and
directed it to take him to the post Office
Alas it was hoax When he arrived
there, the building was closed, all the Off
cials having left it for the day.
On the following morning he ventured to
visit the post Office building he found that
the applicants were being rapidly heard,
and he waited, hoping that he might be
reached that day; he was not, however,
But the next morning his heart leaped
within HIM as he heard his name called.
He was ushered into the presence of the
Postmaster General, who received him
with great politeness. The conversation
was Immediately opened by the official.
Chow long since you left Snooksville,
Mr.. Pap ?"
"About twelve DAYS, sir.'
"Our old friend, Smith, was not dead
when You left l''
"No, sir-yes," said Pap, thinking from
the tone, that the Postmaster knew Smith
to be dead but suspected that Pap had hur-
ried off to Washington before his decease
had actually occurred.
ale was dead, you say that is indeed
strange! We received his official return
for the last quarter yesterday-yes that is
his signature, certainly. Mr.. Smiths SER
vices tc the party have long been appre-
ciated by the government.
Pap was rather overwhelmed by this,
but impudence carried him through tr-
umphantly.
"Why, we thought he was dead, sir,'
replied he : ''the belief was very general,
as you will see by looking al the signatures
on my petition"
''Ah! yes-good men, too-sound thor
ough goers, most Of them; we know many
OF them. I'm very sorry for the little mis-
take that has happcned,'' said the dignitary,
bandly, who expected to be cup for an
office in the peoples gift" some day him
self, and was, therefore. too much of tao
tlclan to afrOnt any one possessing the
slightest party influence, every sorry, in
deed. Mr.. Pap. The department would
have been happy to have conferred the
office on one who comes so well recon-
mended by good men as yourself, Mr.. Pap.
In future, if would BE- allowed 10 suggest,
1t would not be improper to defer making
an application for an Office rendered vacant
by death, until-theSe things are so uncer-
tain-untll an undertaken is engaged-in
fact, it might be left until the incumbent's
funeral had started from his late residence.
Good morning, Mr.. PAPA happy journey
home."
Pap, on his arrival at Snooksville, gave
out that he had been on journey to Boston /;
but office-hunters, seeking to fill vacant
situations IN other towns in the county, had
also been at Washington, and the story of
his application for Smiths Office was soon
the town talk. Not only that, but it was
discovered in what manner he he'd used the
lamp-post petition. Those of his own par
~, whose names were affixed to It, were in
clined to wink at the affair for the purpose
Of securing Pap's influence; but the oppo-
silion were indignant. A lawyer was con-
suited, who declared ''that forgery was the
fraudulent making or alteration of a writing
to the prejudice of another" The oppo-
sition declared that using their signatures
10 recommend a candidate of another party
was terribly prejudicial to their party stand
ing. Mr.. Peleg Pap, was therefore ar
ragned, found gilty Of forgery, and sem
fenced to three years, at hard labor, in the
county prison. As soon as he arrived
there, the superintendent, who knew of his
shrewdness, installed him in the situation
of overseer OF the convc!s in one of the de-
partments.
When Ma'am Smith heard of il, she said
that she ''railly believed that that was the
very office Peleg Pap was hunting for from
the very fust."