Ten Years Among the Mail Bags: Or, Notes from the Diary of a Special Agent of the Post-Office DepartmentHolbrook, James
History
Ten Years Among the Mail Bags: Or, Notes from the Diary of a Special Agent of the Post-Office Department
Holbrook, James
Postal service -- United States
The letter referred to, (which was sent back from Ireland in
consequence of some misdirection,) was full of kind feeling, and
manifested on the part of the writers a firm and simple trust in the
goodness of Providence. The post master sent word to the widows that
this letter was in his possession, and accordingly was visited by the
bereaved women, whose tears flowed fast as they gazed upon the record
which recalled so vividly the kindnesses of their departed husbands.
The little sum enclosed, as they stated, was the result of the united
efforts of the two families, who cheerfully joined in this labor of
love. How many a recollection of unmurmuring self-denial, with the
hope that made it easy; how many a remembrance of bright
anticipations of the happiness to be enjoyed, when the beloved one,
for whose sake these efforts were made, should be received within
their family circle; how many such things must have been brought to
mind by the sight of the missive, so freighted with affection and
memories of the past!
The post master informed the widows that by returning the draft to the
office from which it was purchased, they might obtain the money on it;
but they replied that since it had once been dedicated to an object
sacred both to the departed and their survivors, it must go back to
Ireland, and fulfil its mission.
So these poor stricken women, to whom ten pounds was a large sum,
(even larger than when the letter was first sent,) and who much needed
the comforts it would purchase, sent back the draft, and have since
had the happiness of meeting their relative in America, and seeing the
wishes of their husbands faithfully carried out.
This is but one of many constantly recurring instances of generosity
and devotion which come to the knowledge of post masters; and while we
have put on record some of the blunders of an impulsive people, our
sense of justice as well as inclination, has prompted us to make
public the foregoing incidents, so forcibly illustrating the warm
attachments that grace the IRISH HEART.
* * * * *
MY WIFE'S SISTER.
The most ridiculous errors and omissions sometimes occur on the part
of persons applying to post masters for missing letters. The following
amusing correspondence will illustrate this phase of post-office
experience:--
New York, 29th Jan. 1855.
Post Master New York.
Dear Sir,
A week ago last Monday, I mailed two letters, both having enclosures,
but of no intrinsic value, directed to my wife's sister in New Haven,
Conn., neither of which have ever reached their destination.
Very respectfully yours,
W. B. H----.
The above letter was forwarded to the post master of New Haven, after
having been read by the New York post master. It was soon returned
with the following pertinent inquiries:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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