The reader ought to have been present in the post master's room, some few months subsequently, when this infallible (?) individual called, in response to a notice that his letter had been returned from the Dead Letter Office!
Secretary.—"Good morning, Mr. C——."
C.—"Good morning, sir. I have received a notice to call here for a letter."
Secretary.—"Yes, sir, that is the one referred to, (placing the unlucky missive before him). Is that address in your hand-writing?"
C.—"Why,—y-e-s, it's mine sure—I couldn't dispute that."
Secretary.—"It seems to be directed to Newburg, N. Y., instead of to Newark, N. J."
C.—"I have nothing to say. I could have sworn that the address was correct."
Secretary.—"You did so swear, I believe. Mistakes will happen, but I think the least you can do, will be to retract the article you published censuring us, for what you were yourself to blame."
The amazed limb of the law made no further reply, but left the office gazing intently on the letter, and in his bewilderment getting the wrong door, as he had originally got the wrong address upon the letter.
No such correction was ever made, however, and like hundreds of similar faults, for which others are alone responsible, the charge yet stands against the Post-Office Department, and those in its employ.