Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 May 1896 — A Lost Letter Story. [ARTICLE]

A Lost Letter Story.

A merchant complained of the loss of a letter issued from his office, containing some hundreds of pounds in Bank of England notes. Finally an expert from the postoffice department called upon him. “Believe me, sir,” the expert said, "I have an object in what I ask. Will you kindly sit at your desk and recall each operation In connection with the missing letter?” “With pleasure. I sit here. I take a sheet of this note paper and one of these envelopes. Then I write my letter and fold It up so. Next Igo to my safe and take out the notes, enter their numbers, fold them, put them in the letter, and the letter into the envelope. Then I seal them all up as you now see . me do.” “Just so; and what next? Please be quite explicit.” “Why, my clerk comes in and clears off my desk for the post.” “But you wrote this one at noon, and the post does not go out before night.” “Oh, yes, of course! I quite forgot to say that a money letter, for greater security, I put in a left-hand drawer.” “Which one?” “Which? Why, this one. I open It so, and I—bless my soul! Goodness me! I am very sorry for the trouble I’ve given. Here is the letter!”