Post Office, New Haven, Conn., Feb. 1, 1855.
Solus!?
Well, that is a fix! What is that name? Is it Jonathan or Wm, B. Haskell, or Hershel? Who'd he marry? How many sisters did his wife have? What were their names? Who are their friends and relations in New Haven? Is the lady here on a visit? Or, like a careful matron, has she come here to educate her children? Egad, I don't know! My library is wofully deficient in genealogy, and I shall be obliged to "give it up." Who can tell me the name of "my wife's sister?"
Yours truly.
L. A. T——.
The New Haven post master's letter was then sent to Mr. H., with the annexed note:—
Post Office, New York, Feb. 2, 1855.
Mr. Wm. B. H——.
Dear Sir,
By direction of the post master, I forwarded your letter of inquiry to the post master at New Haven.
He returns the letter to this office with a request that the name of your "wife's sister" may be given to him, as he has been unable to discover it, although possessed of a large library embracing many works of a genealogical character. The P. M. at New Haven is inclined to the belief that it will be difficult to find the letter sent to his office, unless the name of the party addressed is given to him. In this belief the P. M. at New York joins, and the two P. M.'s hold concurrent opinions on this subject.
With all due apologies for the seemingly gross ignorance of the post masters in this matter,
I am very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant,
Wm. C——.
Secretary.