Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1875 — What Came of Trying to Save a Three-Cent Postage-Stamp. [ARTICLE]

What Came of Trying to Save a ThreeCent Postage-Stamp.

During the latter days of the session of Congress an old gentleman visited Washington to arrange some matters in relation to a patent. One day, while visiting the Capitol, he made the acquintance of one of the employes, who showed him much attention and devoted several hours to conducting him through that stupendous edifice and directing his attention to all its various beauties and attractions. The old gentleman was completely captivated by the young man and formed for him the highest attachment. Congress adjourned and the young man returned to his home in Ohio; but the old gentleman remained in the city a few days and then visited Baltimore. While there he was taken ill and immediately hastened back to Washington. Growing worse, he resolved to make his will, and, having none but very distant and unknown relatives, he determined to bestow his wealth upon the young man for whom he had formed so great an attachment. Desiring his presence and having liis address, he wrote a few lines giving - information of his health and requesting a visit from him without delay, as he had a gratifying surprise in store for him. — The letter was inclosed and stomped with a postage stamp, the only one he had. which was slightly torn in separating it from the pocket-book, to which it unfortunately adhered. An acquaintance and daily visitor w as employed to mail the letter, who called the attention of the old gentleman to the rigid adherence of the Postal Department to its own rules in relation to mutilated stamps; but he would not listen to the suggestion, saying the stomp was genuine and had not been used, and was as good as ever, and he would not waste its value. The stamp was accordingly used, and the letter duly mailed. Now comes the sequel." The letter was detained here for postage, solely on account of the trifling mutilation referred to, and the party to whom it was addressed was, in about four days, notified of the detention, which notice was received six days from the date ot mailing the letter with the torn stomp. The following day the young man left his home," and, deeming the withheld letter of no consequence, without even carrying the postoffice notice or paying any attention to it. Ten days subsequently he arrived at Washington,' and then recurred to his memory the detained letter, and he wrote home for the postoffice notification On its arrival he procured the letter, and in much excitement of mind hastened to the hotel ot the old gentleman. Alas! when he arrived he learned that his intended benefactor had been dead four days, and that the old gentleman, not hearing from or receiving the visit, had first felt hurt, then slighted, and finally indignant, and in that frame of mind had made a will in favor of a poor old lady in his native State who had once done him an act of kindness. This was told him by the lawyer who prepared the will, and who was the party that mailed the letter. The old gentleman’s wealth amounted to $53,000. — Republican. —William Flvnn, sixty-eight, who died at Digdequash, N. 8., lately, about twenty minutes before his death arose from his bed, unlocked a trunk and took out a suit of grave clothes he had kept in readiness for several years, then washed and dressed himself for burial. His last words were: “ Welcome, death,. I have long waited for thee!” —A Lowell Sheriff attached a lady’s poodle for debt.