Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1871 — What is Contained in Many of the Dead Letters. [ARTICLE]

What is Contained in Many of the Dead Letters.

There is now in preparation a full catlogue of articles accumulated in the Dead Letter-Office since May, 1867, and to be sold at auction, the proceeds, if any, after paying charges, to be deposited in the United States Treasury, subject to order, should the owners hereafter be found. Of this really curious collection, “schedule No. 1” contains 1,496 parcels, many of which no one would ever have dreamed of finding in—a letter! We quote a few: Magic time-pieces, 65 yards of tatting, magic diamond and compasses, breather, sample buttons, and pattern marker, wrought cushion-tops, patent door-fast-eners, knife cleaner, baby’s night-shirt, socks, bib and aprons, curliques In abundance, mouth organs, wrought chemise yoke and sleeves, magnifying Klasses, magic combs, galvanic belts, Voltric armor soles, crucifix and metal sewing bees, parlor steam engine, patent fishhook, thumbscrews, besides lace collars, handkerchiefs, gloves, etc. Schedule No. 2. Josephine snuff-box, scissors sharpeners, forks and niapkin rings, tobacco pouches, razors, merino goods, corn-buskers,, dentist’s thermometers, piano keys, adhesive plaster, sapolio, bells, toy pistol and ammunition, patent time-piece, and livestretcher —404 in all. Schedule No. 3. 430 books on various subjects, suitable for all the church denominations; fifty pictures are also here described, minerals, and twenty pieces of music. In the jewelry schedule we notice an assortment of I,22Barticles, iucludingartificial teeth and dental instruments. Catholic medals, Masonic and Odd Fellow s breastpins. , ~ Schedule No. 5 has a sewing machine, abdominal supporters, lady’s wig, quarts rock, table covers, sheep shears, cylinder for revolving rifle, crucifix, hoops, and mosquito nets. — Washington Chronicle.