The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-02-02
Scene at the Dead-letter fice---Vendue
of Unclaimed Articles

OF U1C1alMSu AILlClSS
A stranger in the city would have been
puzzled to account for the furious eager
ness displayed last night by the crowd
strug ggliug to get into McQuire's auction
room. The fair sex was just as crazy as
the men, and not few ladies braved the
mud and rain, and jostled at the door for
admission in right good earnest, The at
traction was the great dead Letter Of
fee Sale !" advertised for some weeks to
take place on this night.
TWAS annouced that the cataloge con-
sisted of articles accumulated in the Dead
Letter Office since 1857, (the DEPARTING nt
having used every effort TO find the prop
er owners and being unable to do so,)
and they would now be sold for the post
age; the proceeds. if any, after paying
charges, to be deposited in the United
States Treasury, subject to order should
the proper owners hereafter be found
The aeticles came from the Post Office in
sealed packages, aud no opportunity hav-
ing thus been obtained OF getting peep
of examination, the bidding was somewhat
in the dark bat generally spirited. The
buyers naturally supposed that the arti
cles thus sent by natl as pledges of affeo-
tion must be about the eoreect thing in
point Of value.
The auctioneer said be would warrant
nothing, as they wanted to close the thing
up finally, but if be k'aea0 any ythiog to be
worthless he would intimate the fact when
it was put up.
A very large proportion-perhaps three
qusrters--of the articles were pieces of
jewelry. Of these again large proper
ton were fnger-rings, there being DO less
than 504, many of them heavy plain gold
wedding rings, Then there were ear
rings in any quantity. gold pencils. brace
let's, gold and silver watches, hains, lock-
cts, fruit knives. breast pins, studs, fob
chains. medals, etc. etc.
One of the lookets put up for sale, on
being opened, was found to contain
miniature and was Immediately withdrawn,
as the department reserves all portraits,
not being allowed by the law to sell them.
There was quite sprinkling of books;
The way to Heaven, Life and Speeches
of Henry Clay, vols; Keeping the Heart
Fatalist. 100 Catechsus, Forts Medical
Practice, Stockton's Sermons, Missouri
Harmony, African Preacher. Paradise
Lost, Allyn's Ritual, Laws of Georgia, a
dozen Cateobisms, Fred Douglas, Sumner
Family, Life of Fremont. Danger in the
Dark, Green Book, Hymn Book, Flowers
of PIety, Catholic Missal, Livingstone 5
Travels, five German Books. Cotton is
King, Bay State Glee Book, &C., &c, &C.,
Among the odd things in the uiscella-
Dy were an extraordinary pair of eubroid-
cred suspenders, (Germsn style,) which
sold for 81; regalia. 5th degree, |. O..
o. f., drought 81 75) patent inhailing
tube to cure consumption, (37 cents;) box
di-sectiog instruments; scarifcator, half a
dozen chemises, gaffs for game fowl, l
cornfeld hoe, directed to "Queen Victo-
ria," (the postage on which amounted to
SIC; German pipes, gold foil, inkstands,
kid gloaes, spectacles, daguerreotyPo
plates, violin strings, lot of mourning
goods. 2 shawls and sacks. comfort, linen,
brnids (for colored persoDs,) black sum-
mer coat. bed quilt, ear trumpet, three
pairs OF boots, programs, lot of hardware,
sign on cotton cloth, "Re ad made Cloth
ing" lot of avis. dozen watch crystals.
and so on to the number of six or seven
huodred articles Vashington Star.