I am feeling curious because

I wrote a letter to our state newspaper some months ago. It was one of the rare occasions on which a letter I wrote was not published - or something from it used in an editorial. It did not bother me, after all I have no right to have my letters published. Some people would say I have far too many letters published. (For the record I write far fewer letters than some people have published.) The publication of this one keeps my strike rate well above my target point. It was over that anyway but it is nice to be comfortably over.
The original letter referred to an event that has long passed. It has been edited slightly to fit the present circumstances. Fair enough. Yes, I think it still applies to current circumstances too.
I am curious though. How did it happen?
Is there a home for elderly letters in the newspaper office? Do they sit mumbling and grumbling to themselves waiting for publication? Do they get jealous of one another? What happens after the newspaper editorial staff have gone home? Do the letters bounce out of their files and debate with one another? Do letters get lost and separated from other letters? Are they lonely when this happens?
All absolute nonsense of course but fun to imagination. I am curious though. How long do newspapers keep letters?