Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1884 — Postage Stamps Ruling Finn. [ARTICLE]

Postage Stamps Ruling Finn.

For seven years he had been a clerk in the ice business, but only a week or so ago he was appointed a clerk in the postoffice. One day he was stationed at the stamp window. He sold threeceut stamps for fifteen cents each or four for half a dollar. One-c-ent stamps, he told the people were hard to get at any price, and ruled firm at seven cents, with a rising tendency. Postal cards were held at ten cents, and stamped three-cent envelopes went three for a quarter. Society raised a howl when he charged a commission of ten per cent, for registering a letter, and charged exchange, discount and commission on money orders. When the postmaster returned, there was a scene. The young man listened to reproach and explanations. He examined the schedule of prices very carefully, resigned immediately; and went back to the ice business. “That postoffice/” he told his father, “won’t last six weeks. They've no more idea of a fair profit than they have of the North Pole. Why, it would ruin the government if all the offices sold stamps for nothing, as they do here.” And he made up his mind that he would write to the President and tell him how shamefully the merchandise of the government was being cut away down below Noveniber prices right in the beginning of hot weather.— Surlington Hawkeye. Whenever you commend, add youi reasons for doing so; it is this which distinguishes the approbation of a man of sense from the flattery of sycophants and admiration of fools.— Steele. Salt Lake City has a paid tire department of four men at SSO a month, and forty “call” men at S3O a month each. There are forests of the most valuable woods in Madagascar that extend ovei a distance of over 2,000 miles.