THE WORK CAUSED BY THE RETURN OF A TWO-CENT STAMP.
A LETTER signed with initials and mailed at the Washington post office was received the other day at the Post Office Department. The writer inclosed a two-cent stamp, with the following explanatory remark for the benefit of the postmaster general:— I received a letter through your office yesterday; the canceling stamp failed to cancel the stamp. I tore the stamp off and used it. Now my conscience has got the best of me. You will please find inclosed a two-cent stamp to go to the “Conscience Fund.” As it was not money, the stamp was not sent to the Treasury Department, where there is a special fund for the benefit of those who are overcome by the pangs of conscience. The letter was sent on the official round, and as much ink and good paper was consumed in recording its reception in the department and its final disposition as if it had been $10,000, instead of a sickly two-cent stamp. It was first of all recorded in the book of letters received in the postmaster general’s office, and was then sent, as indorsed by the chief clerk, to the third assistant postmaster general. When it reached the latter office, it was referred by the third assistant postmaster general to the Finance Division. Another record was made in the book of the office of letters received and jacketed. Then it found its way to the Finance Division. The chief of that division pasted the stamp on the letter, drew two cross marks through the stamp and marked under it the word “canceled,” and signed his name. This operation was witnessed by a clerk, who affixed his name as witness, and then the letter, having reached the end of its red-tape journey, was duly and properly deposited in the files, where it will remain as an evidence to future generations that this petit larceny upon the government was regularly and officially atoned for. In case the citizen whose conscience was disturbed wishes to establish the fact that he has made restitution, he can refer to the documents in the case, which the Post Office Department will kindly preserve for him without charge.—The American.