The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-07

nystified the little maiden of more recent
date. How sorry Ada felt for the sisters!
How hard they would have 10 work TO en-
broder the muslin! Perhaps when II
reached their Newport home. they wished
most heartily that the stock had been
less admired. No jolly Saturday after
moons for them but only stitch. sutch,
stitch, until the piece of muslin was
''embellshed" Perhaps that stock had
been sent i'm acknowledgement or
present from the absent son, previously
received by the family at home, for ne
goes on to say: "rhe harpsicord, l think,
Is best calculated for sacred music. l
hope that the hearts of my honored
father and his spouse will often pc
cheered with the songs Of Zion, ac-
companied by the pleasant voices Of
the children
SO the sisters could sing as well as
stitch? But who was the spouse" That
puzzled Ada. How stiffiy the letter
ended: 81 am, honored mamma. your
dutiful son, William" Evidently his
mother never called him "Bill,' although
he dared to venture 50 far as TO call
her mamma =,
A little later in the evening the old
letter was laid carefully In silk bag
made Of the white brocade Of her grand
matters wedding gown, and then II was
hung safely in Adas cabinet, while Ada
was snugly tucked i'm her little bed
ready for q long, restful night
st about midnight, however, the 81
lence Of the house was suddenly broken
nv the sound of voice, voice rather
weak and tremulous; it surely came
from the direction of the cabinet, in
fact it seemed to come from the cab
met itself There was rustic OF the
white Dreaded bag. and then voice
from its depths remarked quite dis
tinctly:
MY friends / have passed through
a strange experience to-day Thls IS
certainly a period in which old age re-
ceives too little respect. Perhaps you
know nothing Of my history, but when
1 was young letters were treated with
becoming dignity. and their value was
appreciated. There was no cheap TWO
cent postage in those days. NO. In those
days, to send by mail one sheet OF fool
soap paper a distance of three hundred
miles. cost twenty-five cents, and two
sheets cost twice that amount. but l am
happy TO say that William was not
Obliged TO curtan his correspondence, for
he was then young college professor,
and received a salary Of $l75 per annum!
Just at this point there was an uneX-
pected movement on the centre table;
il came from between the leaves OF
pamphlet giving the financial report OF
the colleges OF the United States for 1892.
including professors salaries. The sound
was like II suppressed litter, but VIII
lt,na's letter would not stoop 10 notice
such a rude interruption. and so con-
tiDued:
1--WE travelled by stage all the way
from Philadelphia to Newport, where the
first families resided-in these days peo-
ple only live. but then they resided. My
arrival at that fine old homestead was
an event. I assure you. l was welcomed
warmly, perused and reperuseG. Alas
neonle never peruse in these days. ! was
afterwards placed in a lavender-scented
box. vlere / remained for many years.
but here l am now, back once more
in Philadelphia.
INV friends. you have probably never
heard of new contrivance called the
Postal Pneumatic Tube. You VIII better
understand my present weak voice ana
shortness of breath, when l explain 10
Won that to-day, February II, 1898, "A. u,
| was present at the first oihclai triai
OF this tube for nail transit In America
1t was a success but l cannot say mat
| enjoyed the OCCASION Yes, was Il
part of the first regular mail sent from the
sub-oflice TO the main Office here I'm Phil
adelpnia. / longed 10 resent sGcE treat
ment. but I was thrust into the society
of some OF those common postal cards,
in fact they were allowed 10 preccds
Inc in the journey through the tube.
'.The tube is an ordinary water pipe; It's
diameter IS only about six inches. The
carriers into which the mail is put are
made OF sheet steel, they fit closely into
the pipe. and are forced through by the
air: they whzz along at Il great speed.
l assure you. although such rapid move
ment in my day was considered quite IN
elegant.
"rhc first thing they sent through the
tube to-day was a Bible. WGapped in the
American flag. No doubt that little Ada
viii want that Bible for her cabinet col
lection. After that, they sent a pair Of
shoes. loaf Of bread, some oranges and
apples, and even gold watch.
mo more pleasant journeys in the dear
old stages for Us. Our fate is sealed!
we must rush On row ut a furious rate,
for these are L, oppressive times
a deep sigh followed this long address,
but oust rs the weak voice was about 10
give mother Renaissance. an interruption
occurred.
! tremendous shout came from the other
side of the cabinet. There could be no
mistake, IL certainly came lfctH the HoulH
or the old trumpet once used by grand
pater when he joined the first volunteer
fire company.
Fire, fire, fret shouted the trumpet
voice.
Really, you must not blame me. had
nothing to do with it, said a little
old Newport finder box.
Fire. fre. iire!" shouted the trumpet
again.
1T isn't my fault" said an ancient
footstove. 81 have not held any live Goals
for many day"
Fire, fire. fire." shouted the trumpet
once more.
II didn't blow the sparks" said the
queer old bellows. in the corner OF the
cabinet.
Fire. fire. fire. screamed the trumpet
more Justify thar ever.
I'm empty" said BENJAMIN Trsnhin's