Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-10

certihcate OF character Of young German gro
GERS clerk who probably emigrated from the
latherland TO America. This writing was &C
cording to the date, executed In Germany
nnety-nlne years ago. Then there is
THE FIRST RECORD OF THE DEAD LETTER OF
FICE
kept by Benjamin Franklin, written by himself
and containing list of the valuable letters re-
ceived from TIT to 177S. There is a collection
Of rare old coins, one Of which is dated $40 B.
G.: In one cabinet are some exquisite speci-
mems of manipulating. A quill pen is orna-
mented by the work of an artist evidently.
There are pieces OF China so beautifully and
artistically embelshed that those hunting such
articles would not hesitate at the price if they
could be bought Two boxes contain slices of
wedding cake that some happy BRIDE perhaps
intended for a rejected sutton. Numerous arti-
cieS OF silver. such as cups. napkin rings etc.
intended as presents for friends, have found
their way into the museum because Of neglect
to prepay postage or of carelessness in address,
ing them One shell contains the greeting of q
partyO conviyial chaps to friend in Phladel-
pha. informing him that they were engaged in
drinking his health in champagne As
the party did not pay postage enough by 81
message, and 1t has place in the museum. A
card contains the photographs of eleven jolly
members of the Mushroom Club" the head of
each set upon u mushroom stalk.
PERSONAL HISTORY ON SHIRT CUFF.
One feature of the collection is an old and
much-soiled cuff. that tells its own story, or
rather the story Of its former owner. On one
side is drawn in ink the figure of shabby
looking man, fleeing from pursuing crowd Of
men and dogs. The crowd in pursuit are repre-
sented as crying ''stop thief" while the pursued
Is worried into wanting to be an angel. Beneath
is the following:
discovered after the departure of the great
skipper"
"Oh. what blessing the railro ads are
HOW happy felt In the little car,
That waited me onward so far away
From the men who insisted that should pay.
They would have my money or ruin my name,
But beat 'em all bad at their little game,
And think conceded to them enough
When Invent OH and left 'em this nice little cuff"
The irate landlord. who found only this cuff,
poem. and picture where he had expected the cash.
endeavOred to return it by mail to the auth or
and owner, but as the mails could not catch
up with the fugitive boarder the cuff found it's
way to the dead letter office.
SAD SOUVENIRS.
But while many of the articles speak of the
bright, careless and happy side Of life, there are
some that tell of the serious and sorrowful side
There is wreath OF hair by its fine texture
showing it to have belonged to children It is
wrought into flowers, which encrcle mourn
ing band, inside Of which is the following in
scrption: I'm memOriam: Dorkest and Ernest
died April 18th and Goth. 1875" This, per-
haps, was acherished treasure of some fond, but
heart-broken mother.
SOLDIERS DOLLAR.
As an evidence of the scrupulous care and &C.
curacy with which everything is preserved, an
incident that occurred just the other day is
worth mentioning. A gentleman entered the
nd lot xubi
mailed at Jersey Citya letter containing 81 to his
wife. She did not receive it. and he wanted to know
II it had gone to the dead letter office. In a
short while the letter and enclosure were found
but it could not be restored to the original
sender, as after money has lain unclaimed four
years it goes to the government. Congress only
can then restore 1t.
A few days ago lady visitor to the museum
discovered in one Of the cabinets silver salt
cellar in the shape OF pig, but perforated SO as
to admit of the passage of the salt. that she had
mailed to friend last Christmas as a present
She recognized the article by some peculiar
mark, and established her claim to it. She had
considered it lost.