Hay's Costly Ton Of Coal

Secretary of State Paid $8 For It and $10 For Express Charges.
     Secretary Hay's latest coal bill is $18 for one ton, $10 of which is express charges. The Hay family is at the Fells, his summer place at Lake Sunapee, N. H., and Mrs. Hay, feeling chilly recently, wanted the steam heater started, says the New York Evening Journal. The secretary was in Washington, but by persistent use of the telephone it was ascertained that a man in Windsor, Vt., thirty miles away, had some coal. He was promptly instructed to send a ton at once "by express."
     The agent apologized for not having a safe big enough to hold a ton of coal, but said he thought it would be all right if it were properly sealed in bags. It was put on the train in this shape and at Claremont Junction was transferred to a passenger car after being weighed to be sure that none had gotten away.
     The agent at Lake Sunapee also weighed the coal, if not his words, and finally delivered it, collecting $10 charges. Two days later another ton was ordered, and an inquiry as to whether it was to be sent by express solicited this reply:
     "Not on your life; by freight."