Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-19
THE TOPICAL TALKER.
A Tip on the Foreign Mall service-Mr.
Larkin Ready 20 Goa Rich Mans
Charitable PIans-The New Gilbert and


A Tip on the Foreign Mall eervice-Mr.
Lnrkin Ready 20 Goa Rich Mans
Charitable PIans--The New Gilbert and
Sullivan Opera.
THERE is little rule affecting the interna-
tional mail service which is not as well known
as it might be. At this time of the year the
little rule is particularly important.
A small parcel containing several articles, q
couple Of attenuated silk pincushions. an en-
\ broidered dolly and q calendar, was handed
in at the package window of the lPittsburg
postofHce the other evening. 1t had the re-
quisite amount of stamps upon it, and the rule
as to the tying thereof had been observed
also. But the official who received 1t said 1t
could not go TO England through the mails be-
cause the articles were merchandise, and could
be sold again. The official had aheavenly time
undoing the various articles and re-inclosing
them in tissue paper, but he explained the
postal regulations with the courtesy for which
the postofice force here is notably renowned.
The official was perfectly right. Such triflng
presents as are SO often exchanged at Christmas
time cannot pass through the mails If sent
abroad. Postmaster Larkin says that II one
cares to chance such small things may be sent
in sealed letters with first class postage, but
then there is risk of confscation to be run.
The only safe and sure way is to send Christ
mas trifies, other than cards which the mails
will carry, by express.
E.R
TALKING of postofice matters, Mr.. Larkin
does not appear at all distressed because his
term is now drawing to Close He was just as
cheerful and pleasant yesterday afternoon
when the newsboys on the postoff1ce steps were
crying out the name Of his successor as he was
nearly four years ago when talked with him
in the same room.
Practically, Mr.. Larkin has served full
term, although the exact date of the termina-
ton of the four years is January IL, next. Mr..
Larkin told me he was quite ready to hand
over the reins to Mr.. Mexican whenever that
gentleman was ready to take them.
There is good deal of business to be wound
up with this MONTH however" added Mr..
Larkin, "for it is the end Of calendar quar-
ter, and some 800 postmasters have to turn in
their accounts TO me. This will really make
my presence here till the second week Of next
month rather essential But if Mr.. McKean
desires it he can take charge on January !"
sss
THERE are worse:ways Of winding up life
and disposing of an estate than that adopted
by one of our wealthy and most philanthropic
citizens
He can leave his money to no direct heirs
for he has none-and he does not care about
his collateral heirs, Living quiet, retired
life with his wife he has no need or desire for
wealth. BE has therefore for several years
busted himself placing money where it viii do
good to his fellow creatures. Not long ago he
surprised the pastor and church wardens Of the
church he attends by laying check for 5000
in the contribution plate. There will be no
charitable bequests to be disputed in his will
80
A NEW YORK paper printed this little bit of
undoubted news the other day:
Gilbert and Sullivan and their agent, D'Oyley
Carte, have nobody else to thank for the diff
Guilty they have experienced in placing their
new opera in America but themselves. The
terms which the Englishmen made for "Ruddi-
goren and Princess IdaD were so steep and
their general management SO severe that the
American managers were badly hit on both in
vestments. Efforts were made to get the Eng
lish authors tn make more reasonable terms
after the failures Of the operas was assured
but they held the American managers up in
the sharpest way, and the result was very de-
cided deficit in the bank accounts of several Of
the leading men in the theatrical business here.
Gilbert drives hard bargains, and he is a diff
cult man to get anything from which does not
show a very handsome profit to the firm Of
Gilbert & Sullivan. This time their greediness,
according to theatrical managers, will end in
orecG nnanclal loss 20 them, 1or the G1lDert
and Sullivan opera is practically going begging
among the big managers of the country.
There are, of course, many Of the younger and
more ambitious theatrical men who are willing
to take any risks, but they are not in a position
to secure the authors to the piece, and hence
they are not allowed to make even bid for il.
The only trouble about this ingenious indict-
ment of the wicked Gilbert and Sullivan who
want to make money out Of their works incred-
ible as it may appear, is that the new comic
opera from their hands will be played at the
Park Theater, New York, by D'Oyley Carte,
Gilbert and Sullivan's manager, with COM
plete English company before New Years or
very soon afterit II the piece is the success
the London papers say, and tickles American
tastes, it will be Mr.. Aronson and the striped
managers Of New York who will be grumbling
and growing as the victims of their own greed
iness.