Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1889 — Disposition of Old Letters. [ARTICLE]

Disposition of Old Letters.

It is trouble, not good, that ariset from old letters. A package has fallen into my care, to be disposed of as I thought best. It contains letters, bills, receipts, some papers of value, and others worthless. In order to sort the chaff from the wheat, they must be carefully examined. Ah, what un-thought-of secrets they disclose. Family troubles of which the world never dreamed; bitter heartaches where we thought all was serene; love-letters, sacred for their time and place, ridiculous now; a whispered suspicion of slander upon a name we thought was pure as snow, and we are left to wonder whether it is true or false. Old letters! What can they be good for? Their mission is ended. “I may like to read them while recovering from an illness, ” says some one. Pshaw! as if these would be the tonic you needed at such a time! Better far a breath of pure air., We are all prone to brood too much at such times, and need no such help in that direction. Let this plea for the burning of letters be a strong one. Business letters should be filed and labeled. Have a blank book in which to oopy such dates or extracts as may be of value in the future for reference. This can be done when letters are answered. Then bum and see the ashes. It is the sorrows instead of the joys that most letters contain. They are the safety-valve for deep feeling, from friend to friend, good in their time, but sometimes worse than useless in the future. Every day brings new experiences. We are constantly changing, and in many cases would be ashamed of our letters written ten years ago. Garfield said: “When you pitch your tent let it be among the living, not among the dead.” —Sarah M. Bailey, in the Housekeeper.