Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1875-07-02
A ROMANCE.
How a Fortune Was Missed, or
What Came of Trying to save a
Three-Cent Postage Stamp.

During the latter days of the session
of Congress an old gentleman visited
Washington to arrange some matters
in relation to patent. One day, while
visiting the Capitol, he made the ac-
uuaintance of one of the employees,
who showed him much attention, and
devoted several hours to conducting
him through that stupendous edltice
and directing his attention to ali its
various beauties and attractions. The
old gentleman was completely capti-
waited by the young man, and formed
for him the highest attachment. Con-
gress adjourned 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 I'M
mediately FASTENED back to Washing
ton. Growing worse, he resolved to
make his will, and having none but
very distant and unknown relatives, he
determined to bestow his wealth upon
the young man for whom he had form
ed SO great an attachment Desiring
his presence, and having his address,
he wrote few lines, giving lnforma-
ton of his health, and requesting a
visit from him without delay, as he
had gratifying surprise in store for
him.
The letter was enclosed and stamped
with postage stamp, the only one he
had, which was slightly torn IN sepa-
rating it from the pocket-book to
which it unfortunately adhered. An
acquaintance and daily visitor was en-
ployed to mail the letter, who called
the attention of the old gentleman to
the rigid adherence of the postal de
partment to its own rules in relation
to mutilated stamps; but he would not
listen to the suggestion, saying the
stamp was genuine, 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 account of the triflIng mutilation
referred to, and the party to whom IT
vas addressed was, in about four days,
notified of the detention, which notice
was received six days from the date OF
mailing the letter with the torn stamp.
The following day the young
man left his home, and, deem
| ing the withheld letter of no
particular consequence, without even
| carrying the post office notice or pay
ing any attention to 1t. Ten days
subsequently, he arrived at Washing
| ton, and then required to his memory
the detained letter, and he wrote
home for the post Office notification.
| On his arrival he procured the letter.
and in much excitement of mind
hastened to the hotel of the old gen.
tleman. Alas! when he arrived he
learned that his intended benef efactor
had been dead four days. and that the
old gentleman, not hearing from him
or receiving the wished-for visit, had
first felt hnrt, then sighted, and final
ly indignant, and in that frame OF
mind had made a will in favor of q
poor old lady in his native State, who
had once done him an act of kindness
This was told him by the lawyer who
prepared the will, and who was the
party that mailed the letter. The ole
gentIeman's wealth amounted to $53
600
Now, let us inquire if a slight mutil
alton of postage stamp is suficien
reason for its utter rejection by the
postmaster? Suppose it represented
the value of three dollars instead O.
three cents, would not that fact com
pei different ruling by the FOstmast
er-General? Is not the principle th'
same whether a stamp costs thre'
cents or three dollars?- Wdshingto,
City Republican.