Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-07-17
A MUTILATED STAMP.
How n Young lIan Lost a Fortune Through
the Economy of his Intended Benefnctor.

How Young Man Lost a Fortune Through
the Economy of his Intended Benefnctor.
During the latter days of the session
of Congress an old gentleman of VII.
mington, Delaware, visited Washington
to arrange some matters in relation to a
patent. One day, while visiting the capi-
tol, hemadethe acquaintance of one of the
employees, who showed him much atten-
ton, and devoted several hours to con
Quoting him through that stupendous
edifice and directing his attention to all
its various beauties and attractions.
The old gentleman was completely cap
tivated by the young man, and formed
for him the highest attachment. Con
gress adjourned, and the young man re-
turned to his home in Ohio; but the old
gentleman remained in the city a few
days, and then visited Baltimore. While
there he was taken i'll, and Immediately
hastened back to Washington. Growing
worse, he resolved to make his will, and
having none but very distant rela-
tives, he determined to bestow his
wealth upon the young man for whom
he had formed so great an attachment
Desiring his presence, and having his
address, he wrote few lines, giving in.
formation of his health, and requesting
visit from him without delay, as he
had q gratifying surprise in store for
him.
The letter was inclosed and stamped
with postage stamp, the only one he
had, which was slightly torn in separat-
ing it from the pocketbook, to which it
unfortunately adhered. An acquaint-
ance and daily visitor was employed to
mail the letter, who called the attention
of the old gentleman to the rigid ad-
herence of the postal department to its
own rules in relation to mutilated
stamps but he would not listen to the
suggestion, saying the stamp was gen.
uiue, had not been used, and was good
as ever, and he would not waste its
value. The stamp was accordingly used,
and the letter duly mailed.
Now comes the sequel. The letter
was detained for postage, solely
on account of the trifing mutilation re-
ferred to, and the party to whom it was
addressed was, in about four days, noti-
fed of the detention, which notice was
|
received six days from the date of the
mailing of the letter with the torn stamp.
The following day the young man left
his home, and deeming the withheld
letter of no particular consequence
without even carrying the post-office
notice or paying any attention to it. Ter
days subsequently he arrived at Wash
ington, and then recurred to his memory
the detained letter, and he wrote home
for the post-office notification. On its
arrival he procured the letter, and IL
much excitement of mind fastened to
the hotel of the old gentleman. Alas
when he arrived he learned that his in.
tended benefactor had been dead foul
days, and that the old gentleman, not
hearing or receiving the wished for visit,
had first felt hurt, then sig ted, and
finally indignant, and in that frame Of
mind had made will in favor Of a poor
old lady in his native State, who had
once done him an act of kindness. This
was told him by the lawyer who pre-.
pared the will, and who was the party
that mailed the letter. The old gentle
mans wealth amounted to $4,000.