Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29
a LONG FAREWELL.

lation will be OF benefit to both states.
A LONG FAREWELL.
One Of the saddest thoughts which
wanders about unattended through the
great mass Of the American intellect to
day and associates itself with the ending
OF the old year and the beginning of the
new, is that that jewel of rare price, that
emblem of national greatness and that
little token issued by the government in
commemoration OF the discovery of
America some few years ago, the Colum-
bian stamp, is doomed. The edict has
gone forth, and there ls no escape from
it. The decree has been made. and can.
not be set aside. There are only q few
OF the Columbian stamps left. These
will be placed on sale at some Of the
larger postofices, and then will come the
bitter, bitter end, and the Columbian
stamp will exist only in the memory OF
the American people and the possession
OI relic hunters.
The passing of the Columbian stamp
is truly illustrative Of the fact that fame
is but transitory and earthly spleudor
but heetlng and temporary. For a few
short moths it has aourished and waxed
popular, and ow it is cut down in the
prime of its popularity, and the hearts of
the public are left torn and bleeding and
wrenched with anguish.
The history of the Columbian stamp is
a peculiar n The idea which led to
its existence in truth and fact was
wrought out in the brain of John Wana-
maker, whom the stamp has made
famous. MI. Wanamaker, so it is SAID,
staid up nights, and buried gallon after
gallon of government oil, in making
rough sketches and perfecting plans.
The services Of renowned artists were
secured at great expense, to paint life
size portraits of Columbus in various
scenes, with which the stamps were to
be adorned. Mr.. Wanamaker labored
tirelessly and unremittingly. He grew
nervous, and thin and melancholy. But
he was dauntlees in his work. He per-
severed and conquered, and the Column
bian postage stamp was given to the
world. It shone forth undimmed and
radiant in its magnificent splendor.
People fought somewhat shy of the
new stamp at first. Men hesitated to
take it home, into tie bosoms Of their
families. 1t vas such a large, self-con-
scious and assuming stamp! Nearly as
large as a t~wo-year-old colt, and of many
different %colors, it was filled with in.
terestlng reading matter and one side
resembled an illustrated weekly. On
the reverse side was a preparation Of
medical glue, which had to be wetted
with a white wash brush before the
stamp was fully ready for use. The
government spared no expense in ad.
vertislng the new stamps, and before
long they began to sell rapidly, and the
national treasury was inflated to a great
extent with the proceeds.
Before long the 10 stamps became al
most indispensable in every we'll regu-
lated family. In some homes they we're
framed In handsome gilt, and took the
place, to a great extent, of the "God
Bless Our Home" motto, which is 80
often encountered. They usurped the
province of the decayed pair of trousers
in replacing, temporarily, a broken win
dow pane. One would be thrown in
ample folds over baby, when he went to
sleep on the floor or upon the piano.
Housewives cut dainty little scallops in
them, and used them upon the cup.
board shelves. The reverse side would
be wetted, and an average stamp was
good for a pint of flies, under favorable
conditions. They we're useful and orna.
mental and cheap. People became at
to them, and they nestled them
selves so closely in the estimation of the
public as to be almost members of the
great American family.
And now it has all ended, and the
hour OF sorrow has come. With bowed
heads and fearful eyes and choking
voices, the American public will learn
the bitter truth. Some Of them will
never recover from the blow. It is the
n cloud OF sorrow to o'ersbadow com.
pletely the happiness of the Columbian
year. 1t embitters the sweetness of
many lives. 1t is a national calamity.
HENRY CLEws sees no prospect for an
activity in business circles. and an am.