Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1886-03-11
The Way Of the World.
A TALE TOLD BY A rosrAeE-srAap.

TALE TOLD BY A POSTAGE-STAMP.
Primarily I am postage stamp; Just a
common everyday two-cent stamp, pos
sessing only such attributes as are pecul-
lar to my class. Indeed, if I were placed
among thousand of my brethren doubt
II the keenest observer would be able to
point me out as being in any way distin-
guished. A vague gloom enshrouds
that portion of my life preceding its de-
yelopment into one of the government
agents Gf may SO call myself; and I
lndlstinctly remember of having been
connected in some way with copy Of an
English comic paper which drifted as an
exchange into an American newspaper
Office, and thence quickly into huge
waste-basket. From that time until ar
irving at my present state passed
through the hands Of paper dealers, pa
per manufacturers, and divers clerks and
careless people, my last distinct impress
sion being received from an engraver's
press.
l can scarcely be called a conceited
person; still am led to believe that nv
mission IN the world is an important one
am kind-hearted, of agreeable dispo-
sltlon, and well satisfied with nv lot. 7
frequently congratulate myself upon the
good fortune which made me what I am
How much better to be, perchance. the
bearer Of some kind letter, a perfumed
billet-doux, if you please, than vulgar
revenue stamp, fit only to adorn box Of
lll-smelling cigars or grace barrel of in
ferior liquor.
A man hurriedly places a postage
stamp upon letter, which he drops into
convenient letter-box, and entirely for
gets the circumstance. 1t humbly serves
his purpose; beyond that he does NOT
care But think for moment Of the
travels of that same stamp, of the persons
1t meets, of the message it bears, and saw
1t IS not sentient being!
After my birth was carefully a..
counted for to various commonplace Off
Gals, and, after some delay, sent to the
postottice at certain Eastern city T
was purchased soon afterward by Mr.
Archibald Warrack, who tore me rudelv
from my friends, and, after carving me
about in his pocketbook for day or two
cast me into certain dark drawer Of his
desk. -
This Mr.. Warrack was about twenty
i've, tall, graceful, and altogether a verv
gentlemanly appearing person. He
dressed neatly and tastefuIly, but with
no suggestion Of foppishness. To be
frank, admired him from the beginning
OF our acquaintance Regarding his So
clal and financial status, he was gentle
man of artistic tastes-one Of the grand
army OF dilettanti-po possessing an ample
bank account and a pedigree which was
never questioned.
The desk, into drawer of which 7 was
SO ANONYMOUSLY thrust, stood in sunny
alcove separated from Mr.. Warrack's
studio by heavy portiere. This little
apartment was very pleasant place, and
Mr.. Warrack spent considerably more
time in lounging there than he did in
working in the great, bare room adioin-
ing. Art was hobby Of mine, and it
was with much satisfaction that / found
myself placed in such congenial atmos-
phere.
Soon after being transferred to the
drawer | have before alluded to I dis
covered that my quarters were shared by
number Of other persons of my own
kind who were reposing on dainty per
fumed envelopes. They wore, however,
black stains upon their escutcheons,
which showed them to be forever ruined.
! made bold to introduce myself to one
Of these SCARED veterans, and, after d few
preliminary remarks concerning the
weather, politics, and so on, said:
From your looks (date Of conceling)
I Infer that You have been dwelling with
this Mr.. Warrack for some time, and
being stranger, shall esteem it . favor
if you will tell me such things as you
feel at liberty to speak of concerning his