AN ANIMATED POSTAGE STAMP.

Evening Star, Issue 10881, 15 March 1899, Page 4

AN ANIMATED POSTAGE STAMP.

There died the other day in Kansas City a man who lost his passion for drink in a peculiar manner. From his youth (says the 'Star') the man had been an unconscionable tippler. One night several years ago he stumbled into an obscure saloon at midnight, gave his order, and lolled against the bar for support. A man standing near by took from one pocket an addressed en-velope,-and from another a stamp, which he moistened with his tongue. Instead of adhering to the envelope, as the man intended, the stamp slipped from his' fingers and fluttered to the floor. The unconscionable tippler saw it fall and staggered forward to pick it up. Just as he was about to grasp it the stamp darted in a zigzag course towards the side wall like a scared thing. Pilled with wonder and astonishment the drinker drew back and intently watched the bit of paper, which, upon reaching the wall, began to ascend. As it ascended the tippler's face grew more intent, his body more rigid. He saw nothing but the mysterious moving thing. His mind was soggy from years of ceaseless drinking. He thought, as thousands of drunkards haye thought, and will continue to think, that in some inexplicable way he was doomed; the animated stamp was a warning . At the top of the wainscoting the stamp stopped, squatted itself as if for a moment's rest before ascending higher, and then, without warning, made a swift dart towards the tippler's haggard face. The trembling sot saw it stop, saw it hesitate an dleap. He was unquestionably doomed if he continued longer to drink to excess; the stamp had been given life to warn him. With a pitiful yell of fear and determination he rushed from the saloon. From that eventful night until he died in prosperous circumstances recently, the man never swallowed a drop of liquor. , The moist Btamp had fallen upon a cockroach's back and stuck there.

It is stated that the Marine -Department has called upon each of its officers to' make a sworn declaration as to the information he is aware of as to the issue of a roaster's certificate, to Captain Jones.