The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-31
THE MISSING LETTER.

AN incident savorlnS strongly OF romance
occurred many years ago in certain coun.
ty of England. Some of the actors in it
are living now; but as the facts were ot
public notoriety at the time, it can do no
harm to recall them here.
There stood one morning in the post Of
flee of the chief town Of Highamshire (as ace
will call ip two gentlemen sorting letters.
The London mail had just come in, bring
ing its multiplicity of business. They were
the postmaster of uigham and his son.
The former, taost deservedly respected by
his fellow. citizens, had held the situation
for many years. the latter, handsome
young man, looked to hold the situation
after him.
"Ready," cried out Mr. Crane, in a loud
tone; and the side door opened, and four
men entered, and ranged themselves in front
of the counter. They were the town post.
men; and each, receiving his separate
freight, departed for his allotted quarter of
the city. 1t WAS striking half,past uiuo as
they left the post-office.
Meanwhile Mr.. Crane and has son con.
tinued their work, which was, now, the
mallingup of the bags for the cross couu.
try towns and villages. Upon one letter.
rs it came under his observation, Mr..
CRANES eye rested rather longer than on
the rest
Heres Farmer Sterling's letter at last,
Walter" lie observed TO his son.
'llas 1t Gomez" criel the young man, in
lively tone, while he suspended for Il mo-
ment his own employment and leaned to.
wards his father to look ut the letter in
question. "Mr. Sterling, Hill lIouse Farm,
Layton, Highamshirc," lie read "Ah. he
need not have been SO idgety over it. |
told him 1t would be nil right"
ale has never been otherwise than
fdge,y over this yearly Icuel," observed
Mr.. CRANE.
"Becau,e Of the money in it," rcjoined
Mr.. Walter.
At that moment somebody's knuckcs
came rapping at the glazed window, and
Mr.. Crane, who stood next it, pushed back
the wooden slide from an open pane, and
looked out. But, first of ali, he dropped
the letter for Farmer Sterling safely into
the Layton bag.
''ls that there letter come yet, sir,' in
quircd the voice at the window
'Oh, Is that you, Mr.. Stone. don't
think it is. What was 20 be the address"
Miss Parker, post-oflice, till called
for.'"
"Ay. No, it has not arrived. Better
luck TO morrow, perhaps"
Its my belief 1t won't come at all. The
young woman, you know, replied to the ad.
vertisement for housckeeper, which was
in the Higham Herald, on Saturday week.
teird her yesterday that perhaps she'd
haze no answer. But nothing does but |
nnust come here, morning alter morning, to
ask for it. Did you hear of Ned Cookies
shop being broke into last night"
Me-" shortly answered the postmaster.
j am busy now, and can't talk" And the
board sided sharply back again, nearly
shutting up the end Of Mr.. Stones nose
with it. Good day. sir" called out that
discounted applicant, as he moved away.
a little more work in the post. office, and
then Mr.. Crane called out as before,
"Weirford and Layton bags ready" Aud
tall, iine-looking young man, with an
open countenance, looking much more like
gentleman than the driver of village
mail-cart, came in.
"Not heavy freight this morning,
John," observed Mr.. Crane, AS he handed
over the bags, secured only with string
the c'.,"less practice of the Higham post
office in those days. "Have you got your
horse roughshod!"
"AIl right and ready" responded John
2edbhseF, with pleasant smile.
"Or don't know how you would get to
Layton: the roads must be dreadful. Take
care you start back in good time. or YOU
may be too late for the evening mail"
"l'll take care" answered the Young
man. GAS to the roads, if anybody can
drive over them, can, let them be what
they will. Any command" ds"-droppng
his voice as he spoke to the son-"for the
farm, Mr.. WalterF
"Are you going there this morningi7
"lf | don't change my mind Can |
carry any message, sayl"
mo" shortly replied Mr.. Walter Crane
And John Ledbitter laughed to himself as
he went out with the bags.
Locking them into the box of his cart,
an open vehicle, and taking his seat, he
drove out oc the town towards Layton as
las. as the dangerous roads would allow.
1t was the month Of January, and Jack
Frost had come down with all his severe
might: snow on the fields, icicles on the
trees, frozen snow and ice lying in wait for
broken limbs on tho roads. But John
Ledbltter's horse had been prepared for the
state OF affairs, and he drove him cautious
ly.
ITS too bad of me, but do like TO net.
tie him." he chuoklod 10 himself. AS he laid
the rams on the dashboard. aud set on to
beat his arms, to keep feeling in them
"ATe you going there" cries he so sharplv