The post office and its story an interesting account of the activities of a great government department

The sub-postmistress is of course often one of the village folk herself, and she is frequently exposed to gossip and unworthy suspicions. The lady who had charge of a certain village post office was strongly suspected of tampering with parcels entrusted to her care. If anything went wrong with them in any part of the Kingdom she was to blame. One day a rosy-cheeked youngster, dressed in his best clothes, entered the post office and carefully laid a huge slice of iced cake on the counter. “With my sister the bride's compliments, and will you please eat as much as you can.” The sub-postmistress smiled delightedly. “How very kind of the bride to remember me. Did she know of my weakness for wedding-cake?” “She did,” answered the youngster coolly, “and she thought she'd send yer a bit of it this afternoon, just to take the edge off yer appetite before she posted boxes to her friends.” Rightly or wrongly the rural post office is supposed to know all the secrets and scandals of the neighbourhood. When private information leaks out, it is usually the post office which is suspected. And especially is this the case when there are women at the post office. Sometimes the interest in the affairs of the village is quite open. A woman enters a rural post office. “Anything for me?” she asks. Rural Postmaster. I don't see nothen'. Woman. I was expectin' a letter or postcard from Aunt Spriggs tellin' when she was comin'. Rural Postmaster (calling to his wife). Did you see a postcard from Mrs. Hayfork's aunt, Sally?