Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-04
SHE COULDN'T GET CREDIT
enc: Washington post Office.

Scene: Washington post Office.
Lady at stamp window-"Give me 50
cents in stamps, please. Thank YOU" Be-
gins to stamp letters; drops purse, muff
and handkerchief in the operation. Stout
gentleman in the rear picks them up for
herr
She-"Oh! Thank your puts handker-
chief in her muff. drops purse. Stout gen.
tIeman again comes to the rescue.) TOO
bad to trouble YOU CTo clerk: "Oh,
haven't paid you" Qooks in purse and
discovers cents; gasps slightly. why,
good gracious! II I haven't spent all my
money! Did you everl Never mind,
though, I'll come down tomorrow and pay
you" Continues to stamp letters CALMLY
r. o. Clerk, mildly, but f1rmly-"Very
sorry: madam but you will have to return
the stamps If You haven't the money. It's
against the rules"
She, in astonished voice-"Return the
stampsl Why. didn't tell you will come
go home and get the money. don't I?'
OerkE.Yes, but you can't take the
She, indigrantly-'"Thei idea! OF course
stamps?"
Clerk. politely-"we don't doubt your
integrity, madam, hut it's against our rules.
government business isn't run that way"
wen, Cdu Tell yOus you never Will
40 any business the way you run it. It's
the greatest piece of impertinence I ever
knew! little thought I should have to
come to the post office to be insultedr'
Clerk. smiling feebly-"Not at all. You
can get your stamps up town as you go
box
she-"That is none of your affairs. am
quite capable of posting my own letters.
1fat Is just what want the stamps for
But, or course. il you absolutely need the
money at once" with great scorn), Il can
send the servant right back with it as
soon as 1 get home"
Clerk-'No, madam; very sorry TO dis
obllge you, hut you have to pay here"
Nooks hopelessly at stout gentleman in
the rear. who is waiting to get to the win
dcW-aiso line of people behind him.
She-"Do you mean to tell me that 1 am
not to be allowed to stamp my own let
ters! And with my sister in Chicago wait
ing to hear from me by every mail about
Iageous thing 1 ever knew! I shall tell my
husband about itr' STOUT gentleman
smiles broadly; clerk coughs.) He will
De In pretty rage, 1 can tell you. It's
that you dare to talk to me like that. I'll
nave you know that my husband is worth
hundred thousand dollars; that 1 can get
credit this minute in any shop in this
town.
Clerk.'1his is not shop, madam: and
we don't keep running accounts. This is
the government post Office"
Shelves; and nice kind of govern
ment 1t must be! I'm glad l don't belong
to 1t! When 1 think what my father was
and what my husband is today, able to
give me everything on earth I want and
here l am, actually refused a miserable
Oh cents worth of stamps. Why, it makes
blood boil"
Clerk. interrupting-"There are people be-
hlhd you, madam, waiting. l shall have to
trouble you for the stamps"
uady hesitates and then hands them to
him. purple with indignation.)
She-"Very well. l shall not say another
Wcfd. But you will be sorry for this. It's
to your interest, if you only knew il to be
polite to me. AS it is, shall never enter
these doors again or buy another stamp
from you as long as 1 liver (Glares majes-
lcally around her and sweeps out)
Apoplectic amusement Of stout gentleman
and great relief of the line.