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

The fighting instincts of the average boy are indeed the chief difficulties of his Superintendent. “I was coming out of sorting-room ground floor when Messenger B—— and I knock up against one another. So I tapped him on the head and he tapped me back and one thing brought on another and it ended wrestling.” A very pretty and reasonable story, which does not, however, prevent us forming a tolerably correct picture of the savage fight which actually took place. Here are a few more explanations:— “I had a pain in my leg which came on me all of a sudden, but I am sorry for this offence.” “We were all whistling at the time but we made no noise.” “I was watching an accident and had no idea what time it was, but I will watch that I stand and talk at no other accident.” Another in rather an aggrieved mood says: “If you knew what it is to take half-an-hour to eat half-a-slice of bread you would know what it was to have a gumboil.” We think we understand. Yet another: “He was telling me a story and I called him a liar, only I used stronger language.” “I was taking a moonlight walk with my fiasco,” was the explanation of one boy. And one boy asks for a day's leave. “I beg to apply for a holiday to attend my grandfather's funeral. He died of senile decay.” Another boy's explanation of his delay in delivering a telegram was: “I went there and back as quick as I could and I will never let it occur again.”