The "Archives Book #7, Page #89" Story

It was an ordinary day. I was at the Lancaster County Courthouse. A few weeks ago Carol had come home from work and told me that Debbie, her co-worker, said that we should apply for the Veteran's Widow Pension. Her mother-in-law was getting the pension when she died and she thought that maybe we could get the pension for my mother. Dad died three years ago and he was in the Army during WWII so she should qualify for the pension. Carol looked up the phone number for the Veteran's Administration in the photo book and I gave them a call. Talked to Charles at the VA and told him my story and asked if my mom might qualify for the pension. With hesitation he said, "Yes. She may be able to get a fairly sizable pension since she has never applied for it before and is now 88 years old." Sure would help with her finances and the payments at Moravian Manor Nursing Home. I'm sure that they would appreciate her having the pension since they dip into their benevolent fund if mom would happen to run out of money. I set up an appointment to go into the VA and was told I would be getting a letter to confirm the appointment. Charles told me to start looking for Dad's birth certificate, death certificate, marriage license, and discharge papers from the Army. I would also have to have mom's bank statements from the last year as well as any medical expenses she has incurred in the last year. He told me that if I couldn't find dad's discharge papers, they can be found in Book 7, page 89 in the records at the Lancaster County Courthouse Archives Office. What service! Well, I found everything except the discharge papers and mom and dad's marriage certificate. Called the Lancaster County Courthouse and talked with a clerk in the Archives Office. Told him what I need and he found both items within a matter of minutes. Told me I could pick them up the next day. Wow, the government at its' best!! I asked how much the charge would be for each and he told me 25. "So that would be $50 for the two documents," I said. I thought it was a little steep, but that's how they keep the courthouse operating. "No," he said. "That's 25 cents for each document." I was shocked. The next day I traveled to the courthouse and found my way to the Archives Office. Had to go through a metal detector in order to get into the area. I met Greg who had my copies waiting for me. "The one document had 2 pages so your charge will be 75 cents," he told me. "Just keep the 25 cents," I told him ( I know, I'm not a big tipper!). "Can't do that here," was his reply. "It is an official government office. Yeah, I guess it is my money operating the courthouse anyway. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.