Dear Editor:

I got a hearty chuckle over your lead story of 8-18-02, “REPORT: Indian Trust Losses Overstated”. I can state unequivocally and without fear of contradiction, that my three cents disappeared into the Andersonesque Abyss of the BIA’s fine system of “accounting”. So, if only millions are owned; just how many of those mere millions are being doled out to Ernst & Young for its astute analysis? Hey – Ernst & Young, did you ever find out what happened to my pennies from Heaven?

For years I regularly received a statement from the Turtle Mountain Agency showing a credit of three cents in my favor. Then, a few years ago, the statements began showing a zero balance. I kept waiting for the prize patrol to show up; but apparently, it was belayed by pirates.

It’s not the money – it’s the principle of the thing. I would leave the principal untouched; and party-hearty on the interest.

Hey Gale, “If you’ve got my money, Honey – then I’ll have a dime!!! -- I’ll go out and boy-oh-boy!!! – I’ll have me a time; can I borrow your Cadillac? – leave my clown car behind? – if you can’t find my money, Honey – Sister, spare a dime? (Sorry, ol’ Hank.)

` Yours Truly,