The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-07-09
A ROMANCE.
How a Fortune was Missed, or What
Came of Trying to save q Three
Cent Postage Stamp.

cent fOSt3ge StAmps
During the latter days of the session
of Congress an old gentleman visited
Washington TO arrange some matters III
relation 70 a patent. One day, while
visiting the Capitol he made the ac-
qnaintance of one of the employ ees who
showed him much attention, and devot-
ed several hours in conducting him
through the stupendous edifce and di-
recting his attention TO all its various
beauties and attractions. The old gem
tleman was completely captivated by
the young man, and formed for him the
highest attachment. Congress adjourn
ed and the young man returned to his
home in Ohio; but the old gentleman
remained in the city few days, and
then visited Baltimore While there
he was taken i'll, and Immediately hast
ened back to Washington. Growing
worse, he resolved to make his will.
and having none but very distant and
unknown relatives, he determined to be-
stow his wealth upon the yonng man
for whom he had formed so great an at
tachment- Desiring his presence, and
having his address, he wrote few lines,
giving information of his health, and
requesting visit from him without de-
lay, as he had a 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 adhe-
renee of the postal department to its
own rules in relation to mutilated
stamps; but he could not listen to the
suggestion, saying the stamp was genu-
inc, 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 here for postage, solely on &C.
count of the trifing mutiIation referred
to, and the party to whom it was ad-
dressed was, in about four days, notified
of the detention, which notice was re-
ceived six days from the date of mailing
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. Ten days
subsequently he arrived at Washington,
and then recurred to his memory the
detained letter, and he wrote home for
the post Office notification. On its ar
rival he procured the letter, and ip
much excitement of mind hastened to
the hotel of the old gentleman. Alas.
when he arrived he learned that his in
tended benefactor had been dead four
days. and that the old gentleman, not
hearing from or receiving the wished
foe visit, had first felt hurt, then slight
ed and finally indignant, and in that
frame of mind had made will in favor
of poor old lady in his native State,
who had once done him an act of kind
ness. This was told him by the lawyer
who prepared the will. and who was the
party that mailed the letter. The old
gentlemen's wealth amount S53, 900.
Now let us inquire if slight mutila-
tion of a postage stamp is good and suf
icient reason for it's utter rejection bv
the postmaster? Suppose it represented
the value of three dollars intead of three
cents, would not that fact compel a diff
ferent ruling by the Postmaster General?
Is not the principle the same whether a
stamp costs three cents or three hundred
dollars?-[ Washington Republican.