Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-12-03

stamps on IL amounting 10 forty cents,
but it was heavier than the law allows,
and found n lodgmcnJ he,e. There are
not less than two hund red pounds OF
geological specimens, including some of
rich gold and silver ores; and q variety
OF agricultural products, consisting of
heads of grain, ears Of corn, grasses,
etc., that would make respectable
show at a county fair. and a miniature
bale of cotton. There arc number of
notes and bonds of the late Southern Con-
federacy, large collection Of stamps,
and some two hundred coins. One OF
the latter is said by numismatists to be
more than two thousand years old.
Among the innumerable
ODDS AND ENDS
of the collection may be mentioned sew
eral pairs of highly ornarnented mecca
sins. an old shoe much worn and down
at the heel, several base-balls and bats
and n catcher's mask, hand-saws,
Ratchet, bottles of medicine, an old
faded umbrella, shoe-lasts, n dozen star
fish, artificial teeth, scroll-saw work,
old army cartridge-boxes, worn horse
shoes and q silver watch.
While the murderer of President Gar
field was in confinement he mailed
locks of his hair to numerous persons,
and one of those strayed into the
museum. On the paper is written,
This contains my hair, Charles j.
Guiteau."
| TOKENS OF AFFECTION.
One large case is filed with articles,
many of them of considerable value,
evidently sent as tokens of love and
friendship. Among them are some
very beautiful specimens of embroidery,
crochet and needle-work, handmade
lace, n rich caskct full of gold nuggets,
some fine pieces of jewelry, number
of small portraits and medallions, and
a very numerous assortment OF Christ
mas, Easter and birthday cards. There
are two boxes containing slices of
wcdding-cako and numerous articles of
silver such rs cups, napkin-rings, etc,
most of which reached the Dead-Letter
Office because of neglect to prepay
postage or of carolcssness in addressing
them. That the children arc not for
cotton is attcstcd by variety of dolls
and pretty toys. The heart is touched
by some sad souvenirs. One of these is
n wreath of childrens' hair wrought into
flowers, and encircling the inscriptions
'In memoriam. Dorkest and Ernest
died April 18th and Goth, 1875"
Two interesting articles are u large
card on which is written the Lord s
prayer in iifty-four different languages,
and the first record of valuable letters
received ut the United States Dead-Let-
ter Office, covering the years from 1777
to 1888. This is the original document,
and is in the handwriting of Benjamin
Franklin, the first Postmaster-G General.
During the seven years the number of
entries was 362-now more than that
arc made every day.
The museum would not be complete
without the choice gatherings from the
multitude of cpistolary curiosities which
tho Office affords.
A TALE OF A SHIRT CUFF.
There Is a gents soilcd and worn
shirt cuff that does "a tale unfold"
Upon it is very clcvcrly sketched in ink
the figure of scedy-looking man on
the run pursued by crowd of men,
boys and dogs! The pursuers are cry
ing: "Stop thief!' while the fugitive
is making for the timber at his utmost
speed. Below this spirited sketch is
the following:
Discovered after the departure of
the great skipper"
oh, what blessing the railroads arc!
! 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 'om all bad at their little game,
| And think conceded To them enough,
| when went OF and left en- this nice little
cun"
1t is likely that the original owner of
the cuff Jumped his bill at some
hotel, leaving only this behind. Sme
wag drew the picture and wrote the
rhyme, and cndeavored to send it to
the fellow, but the mail could not over
take him, and the cuff finally brought
up in the museum.
SOME MORE "EXPERT WORDS.
took peep into the album of cor
rect "guesses." The temptation to
give few examples of chaotic orthog-
raphy is too strong to be resistcd
| Written. Corrected.
| Callnmmngu EalamaZOO.