The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-03-08

name by which the neighborhood IS
commonly called, or some romantic
name which he chooses to apply to his
farm or residence. In such cases the
lack is frequently supplied by the post
mark on the envelop. III thousands of
cases when the letters are between rela-
tives and friends the signatures are of
the familiar and alfectionate sort, such
as 'Dick, ""Sallie, Mother, '""Sister, ="
or ''Ducl,y''-all proper enough in their
way, but quite too indefinite to be Of any
service to the examiner.
Such letters are generally of no real
value, and are OF necessity consigned to
the flames. When the heading and sig
nature are sufficient the letter is not
read, but the class mentioned are ex-
amined, as the body of the letter some
times supplies the missing link. II
found to be only letter of friendship,
and containing nothing of importance,
it is quickly cast aside to meet its doom.
Ii it relates to business affairs, or con-
tains information of important social
and domestic affairs, such as deaths,
marriages, ETC., all reasonable effort is
made to discover either the writer or
the person addressed. Frequently let
tiers of inquiry are written by the clerks,
and information thus gained may be
the means Of the letter reaching its des-
tination. But in case the letter fur
nishes the writer's name and address
no distinction is made as to whether q
letter is important or not, all are re-
turned. 1t is considered that if a person
writes to his friend and gets no answer
1t will be a satisfaction to him to know
that his friend did not receive it. In
deed the administration of the Post-of-
fee Department in every branch is gov
erned by the idea, to its fullest extent,
that it is wholly for the benefit and con-
yenience Of the people.
QUIPs AND CRANKs.
Eyes, says lady with whom we are
permitted to converse, 1--WE see many
very touching letters that make us re-
greet the impossibility of sending them
to either party. Letters between par
ents and children, brothers and sisters,
husbands and wives, often appeal to our
sympathies. We are really sorry to see
them destroyed, and the words of af-
lection, maternal love, admonition,
sympathy or gentle reproof lost forever.
We see many things also that are very
droll and amusing.
Not long ago | had letter, the
only address upon which was this: TO
the Widder of Patrick Murphy, who
Died sometime In The War
''This was another: 'On my son in
bo div n 81
and the railroad runs through his land. ,
And the poor woman, | suppose. will
always wonder why her boy did not
receive her letter.
''Another Supplemented old mother
mailed letter directed simply to Mis-
ter Dave O'Donnel. Inside, at the
foot of the letter, / found this: If
Dave don't call for this, will the post
master Of New York City hand it to
him at the first opportunity and oblige
his old mother.
"Similar to this was one written to q
man in London, England. On the en-
yelope was nothing but the name, and
at the head OF the letter was: a prayer
to the postmaster of the city of London.
Will you be kind enough to look in the
directory and find where Mr.. George
Wilson lives, and send this letter to
him?' 1t is by no means rare to find
q request of some kind to the post
master within the envelope. 1t seems
a. though some people. must have an
itea that the postmSstcrs open and
rad all the letters.
yesterday [ had one addressed to
Miss Martha Patten. Steamer Bothnia,
Ocean and, as unique specimens OF
photography, one to :Josey Prime duff
fey, and one to 'Sharloot White
could you suppose man could
write letter and address the letter to
himself? | have seen three or four
cases of that kind A day or two ago
l unfolded one containing a large dose
of fine red pepper. 1t filled the air
and set several of US to sneezing. The
letter was q mean, spiteful one, the
writer saying that he put in the pepper
as an expression of his feelings toward
the person addressed. - Washington
Cor. Cleveland HerdLd.