The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-01-30
SHE USES BEANS TO
z F. HER ACCOUNTS
Maine ~Postmistress Furnishes
Surprise for Department
Inspector.

received the postofice inspector as III
called to examine the records Of thu
office the other day. The postotict
inspector smiled, for eve q govern
ment official can do that, and he pro
ceeded to look over the cancellation
records. Then he received q shock.
Ordinarily, 1t might be mentioned
when a postmaster keeps his cancel
lations he has a book in which are
posted the number Of letters cancelled
with the value Of the stamps opposite
and the number Of postcards cancelled
This particular postmistress had hel
books right up to date with the ex'
ceptlon Of the day when the inspec.
tor arrived.
where Is your record for today?'
asked the official.
"0h, / have It," was the smiling re-
ply.
I'D like to see It"
The postmistress reached Under the
desk and pulled forth a cigar box. The
inspector received 1t in wonder. He
shook the box and 1t ratified. Then
he opened the receptacle and his eyes
fairly bulged out as he gazed on the
contents.
There was nothing inside except
red beans and white beans.
Whats this?" he asked, somewhat
sternly.
MY cancellation record for today
replied the still smiling postmistress
cancellation record" exclaimed the
astonished inspector. "Will you tel
me what kidney beans and pea beans
have to do with the postal service OF
the United States government"
'soh, yes" came from the postmis,
tress, and then she smiled still more
broadly and very proudly, as she con-
tinued: "That is my record. A kidney
bean for each letter and a pea bean
for each postcard. At the end OF the
day l post my book"
'Oh," murmured the inspector as he
meekly finished his examination.
Inspecting Small Offices.
The Inspector told another happen
ing that came to his attention when
he made a trip to another small post
Office in Maine.
AS Is often the cas- in q small
town, the postofice was in the general
store Of the village. The inspector
entered and didn't find the postmaster.
Instead, there was another man In
charge and he didn't seem to know
much about the business either.
where's the postmaster" asked
the inspector.
Down town." was the reply. The
inspector said a few things. He re-
marked that it was hardly fitting for
a servant Of Uncle Sam to be neg
lecting his duty and leaving the office
in charge Of someone who didn't know
anything about it. Then he left the
postofice store to make another call.
Before the day was out the inspec-
tor visited the p~ostotice again and the
postmaster was there. He was de-
cidedly there, and he didn't have any
too cordial a greeting for the inspec-
tor. The man to whom the inspector
had unburdened himself had informed
the postmaster Of all that had been
said. The postmaster didn't attempt
to interfere with the inspector, but
he showed no inclination to be Of any
help.
Books, papers, stamps, money and
everything else was examined. The
cash was found to be IS short. Or
dinarily, when the deficient sum Is
30 small as that, the inspector just
make a note and keeps a watch on the
office to see if everything is right on
the next visit. II the deficiency is
large, then the funds in the office are
generally taken away and placed on
deposit until the matter is cleared up
When there is a small deficit the money
Is rarely taken away. Because Of
the manifest hostility Of the postmast-
er the inspector decided he would take
the funds.
"You're IS short" remarked the in
spector.
az am not" came from the post
master, as he bridled at the remark
A short argument followed and Their
postmaster and inspector went ovel
the books together. The postmaster
was convinced. He Immediately pro
duced a IS bill and it was placed will
the rest Of the money. The inspector
gathered 1t together and was JUS
about to put 1t in his pocket.
"What're you going to do?" cam
from the postmaster. =.
"You are IS short, so am going t
to take this money away and deposi
it." said the inspector.
"You are not" shouted the post
master. He made a sudden move
ment and grabbed the money from thu
inspectors hand.
Difference with Postmaster
",d like to know what authorit,
YOU have to take the money from thi
Office" said the postmaster angrily.
"There's my authority" said tn
inspector, as he produced his com
mission. The postmaster read 1t AM
remarked:
81 don't see anything in that ina
gives you authority to take away IN
money from a postofice.'
well who are you?" came from tn
inspector. ~ don't know If you ar
the postmaster"
The postmaster o produced HI
commission. II have no means G
49, -. a.a fha MON rnnO