Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-04-01
4 POSTAGE STAMP.
The Way Of the World AS Observed by
Two-Cent Postage Stamp.

I
doubt if the keenest observer would be
able to point me out as being in any
way distinguished. a vague gloom en-
shrouds that portion OF my life preced-
ing its development into one Of the gov
eminent agents Qf | may so call my
self; and ! indistinctly remember Of
having once been connected in some
way with copy of an English comic
paper which drifted as an exchange in
to an American newspaper office, and
thence quickly into a huge waste-bas-
ket. From that time until arriving at
my present state | passed through the
hands of paper-dealers, paper-manufac-
turers, and divers clerks and careless
people, my last distinct impression be-
ing received from an engrayer's press.
can scarcely be called n conceited
person. still ! am led to believe that
my mission in the world is an important
one. / am knd-hearted, of agreeable
disposition, and well satisfied with my
lot. | frequently congratulate myself
upon the good fortune which made me
what / am. How much better to be,
perchance, the bearer of some kind let
ter, perfnmcd billetdouX, if you please,
than a vulgar revenue stamp, fit only
to adorn box Of ill-smelling cigars or
grace a barrel of inferior liquorl
A man hurriedly places u postage
stamp upon letter, which he drops in
to convenient lctter-boX, and entirely
forgets the circumstances. 1t humbly
serves his purposes; beyond that he does
not care. But think for moment of
the travels of that same stamp, of the
persons it meets of the message it
bears, and say it is not a sentient beingl
After my birth / was carefully ac-
counted for TO various commonplace
officials, and, after some delay, sent to
the post-oilicc mt certain eastern city.
| was purchased soon afterwards by Mr..
Archibald WaTack, who tore me rudcly
from my friends, and. after carrying
me about in his poc6ctbook for Il day
or two, cast me into certain dark
drawer of his desk.
This Mr. Wanack was about -, tail,
graceful, and altogether very gentle
manly-appearing person. He dressed
neatly and tastefully, but with no sug-
gestion TO fobbiShneSs. To be frank. /
admired him from the beginning OF our
acquaintance. Regarding his social
and financial status. he was n gentle
man of artistic tastes -one OF the grand
army of dilettant-possessing an ample
bank account and a pedigree which
was never questioned.
The desk. into Il drawer of which |
was SO ANONYMOUSLY thrust. stood i'm a
sunny acoyc separated from MIR. War
rack studio by a heavy portierc. This
little apartment. was a very pleasant
place, and Mr. WuTach spent consider
ably more time In Iounging there than
he did i'm working in the great, bare
room adjoining. Art was a hobby Of
mine, &nd il was with much satisfaction
that found myself placed i'm such a
congeniaI atmosphere.
Soon after being transferred TO the
drawer have before alluded TO J dis
covered thatmy quarters were shared
by number OF other persons OF my
own kind who We're rCposiug on dainty
perfumed envelopes. They wore. how
ever, black stains upon their cscutch-
cons. which showed them t. be forever
ruined. made bold to introduce my
self to one OF these SCARED Veterans,
and, after few preliminary remarks
concerning the weather, politics, and so
on, said:
From your looks (date of cancclng)
| infer thai You have been dwelling
with this Mr.. Wurack for some time,
and being q stranger. / shall esteem it
a favor if YOU will tell me such things
as YOU feel at liberty to speak of con-
cerning his private history
ITS sad case, said my friend,
with q deep sigh, lie looked haggard
and worn, and was apparently in great
distress.
How 'sad?' " inquired sympatheti-
callv
a sad case, he continued without
needing nay interruption. Less than
six months ago was the carrier of a
letter written by young lady named
Rmideu- Miss Helen Rardcn-to Mr..
Warrack, the gentleman whose nc
quaintanca YOU have recently made.
This letter was written in reply to one
from him in which he exhausted all the
available adiecliyos of the English
language in the siucerest avoWaIs OF
love, closing with am offer of his heart
and hand.
''Aud the letter of which YOU were the
bearer contained
.Hor acceptance" hc said, complete
ing my sentence. "lIclen Rar'deu is q
beautiful woman, gifted wealthy, and
of excellent family. At the time parted
from her. or rather at the time She
parted with me- She loved this fellow
wish all her pure soul-loyed him as
man Wus newer loved before and he