Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-06
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER E, 1859.

SELF RULING STAMPED ENVELOPES.
III. attempted descriptions Of Washington
letter writers, and Of pictorial magazine ar
ticles, which preceded the issue Of the en-
xelnpe by the Department. while they very
made. uately conveyed an idea Of the i'm
rroyement, had the effect to stimulate curl
osity Ia solve by inspection the mystery OF
the self ruling letter envelope" The para
graph announcements OF ITS arrival at the
Post Office which appeared i'll same of the
city papers brought crowd T. the window
nf the stamped envelope man. The first
purchasers became advertising mediums OF
The new article. aud fresh applicants made
their appearance The consequence was
that the first supply was speedily exhausted.
\ second supply was ordered. which doubt
less would at once have shared the same fate
had not an impression gained currency that
the first apportionment was the quota to
which the New York post office was entitled,
and that no more were forthcoming
Usually the first thing done by the pur-
chaser was to critically examine speci-
men with view to arrive at the rationale OF
the invention, or to observe the curious phe-
nomenon Of the dissolving lines. For some
time after it was placed upon sale. groups Of
persons might be seen standing around the
Hobbies Of the Post Office engaged in these
examinations. 1t was interesting to note
the different effects produced upon different
individuals by the operation Of the machine
nv of the new envelope. Some OF these
bordered upon the ludicrous. On one occa-
sion an old gentleman approached the
window, and in curt and peremptory man
ner asked for one OF the new envelopes. lie
was evidently one of the old school-one
who abhors innov atoms, who looks upon
new things as heresies, and despises the
modern convenience Of ruled paper, except in
ledgers. From his manner was prepared
for some curious ebullition of temper Or ec-
centricity, and determined, should the pecu-
liarities Of the new envelope escape his notice.
10 explain it to him. The article was hand
ed 10 him, and he was immediately crowded
from the window by the rush OF people
lie turned it over in his hand and exclaimed,
why, this is nothing but ruled envelope.
Here, take it back; don't want the thing.
But he could not reach the window, and was
departing in a rage. when one OF tsur preco-
cious bows, who had sample of his own,
and had fathomed the mystery by inserting q
folded half-sheet Of letter paper, went up to
him and said, "What will you bet, Uncle,
that it's ruled enyclope?" Get out, you
impudent young scamp" was the reply;
IAN | SO old or 80 blind that cannot tell
what this it," holding out the distinctly
ruled article The boy took it from his
hands, and holding it behind him quickly in
serted the folded letter paper, and returned 1t
t. him, asking him IF it was ruled now"
The old mans eyes were for moment riv-
eted upon the envelope, which he hurrledly
turned over, in evident doubt whether to re-
gard what he saw, or rather what he failed
TO see, as sleight of hand. At length he
dropped it like hot potato" and the next
instant was observed disappearing through
one Of the asles leading from the building,
in evident confusion, and amid hearty burst
of laughter.
heard another laughable incident which
occurred at an uptown hotel, and which
have on very good authority. Mrs.--,
the wife Of one Of our prominent politi-
clans, having sent to the office of the hotel
for an envelope, received one Of the new
selfruling kind, with the stamp attached
She had already written the letter, and now
proceeded to manufacture the black lines,
usually inserted by ladies, in the envelope,
to show through it's face, and guide the hand
in writing those elegant superscriptions tor
which their correspondence is remarkable.
While these lines were drying she inadver-
tently took up the envelope and saw, to her
surprise, that it was already ruled. At first
she thought she would send it back; but as
the letter was only to go to her husband. she
decided to use it, and placed the letter at
once in the enclosure. Putting it down up,
ON her desk, she took up her pen to write
the direction, when 10! the lines had disaP-
peared Startled for the moment, she re-
treated from the table, The noise brought
her dressing maid from the adjoining apart,
ment. to whom the lady related the circum,
stance. The girl took up the letter, and at,
ter examining it, said. well, marin, | don't
see nothing dreadful about the envelope, ex
cept the red pictnr on the front, and with
a woman's natural curiosity she took out the
letter. The letter being Withdrawn. the
sides Of the envelope closed, and to the as
tonished eyes Of Biddy the black lines ap,
peGred! Offering scream she dropped the
object Of her terror and ran out of the room
followed by Mrs.. 1t is hardly neces,
sary 10 add that the panic was but momen
tary, and that these facts leaked out through
the servant-New York Journal Of Commerce