Litchfield enquirer., 1856-01-10
scenes Al the Post oaaee.

The Post Office is an interesting place.
The student Of human nature can there find
grand opportunity to pursue his iavorite
study. There he may see representatives
Of all classes and all interests, and types
Of all sentiments and all feelings. There,
fer instance, comes an old man. beat with
the burdens Of many years, seeking INTEL
ligence from grandson, just gone out into
the great world. His face bears an anxious
look, for the wsnderer is very dear to him ;
and he longs tor some word that shall tes-
tify that he 10 not forgotten. Oh how sad
~, when he is told there is nothing to his
address, he turns AWAIT is as il the very
sunshine had faded, and deep, dense
darkness, suddenly come down upon him.
And yet he is not wholly desolate, for he
thinks Of thousand things that may have
prevented the wanderer from wiring, and
SO, ''untih the next mail comes," he strives
10 be content.
Add now, a pretty maiden stands at the
window, waiting anxiously for some mis-
sive from one to whom hertro.h is plighsed.
Long months ago, he went forth in quest
Of fortune, and in little time he is to come
for the "girI he lef: behind him." and hear
her away to be the goddess of the home he
is rearing. All! what thoughts-what ra-
diant hopes are trembling 10 her heart as
she stands there and now, that the letter
she is waiting for is received, how buoyantly
she walks away towards her Hometown
beautiful becomes the expression of her
face! TO those who walk after her through
the street, there seems TO be a halo Of light
around her-a burst of sunshine flooding
her path and we who know whereof her
gladness cometh, pray thai forever and for
ever Gods blessings may brighten her lite.
And now we have hale young lrishman
clamoring for letter at the same window
Where the maiden stood. A year ago he
left his home in Erin to seek his fortune in
Columbia, and having done well. has writ
ten to his old mother, who sits still at the
old hearth, to come and join him-and here
he waits her answer. But it has come not,
and he turns away, depressed in spirit.
fearing thousand things which he dare
not whisper to his heart.
And now, here in the vacant space at the
window. is business man awaiting intel.
iigence from abroad. He receives il, but
it does not gladden. Lim-one to whom he
gave credit has gone down with a crash.
and the potts Of months are swept away at
a blow-and sadly. he too, wanders out
again into the realm Of trade and business.
But his disappointment, great as il is does
no, check the multitude pressing through
the doors, and soon there is crowd thong
ing up 10 the place Of deiivery--wives
seeking intelligence Of absent husbands
children waiting advices from parents whose
hands they shook in parting long months
ago-lovers painting Tor missive from their
chosen one, whose words they esteem more
valuable than pearls OF gold-merchants
lingering for remi,tances from their custo.
mers-old men and young men-great men
and little men-beauiiful aud homely, all
seeking a, the hands Of Uncle Sam some
message Of love or hate-of hope OF despair
of victory misunderstanding that shall
brighten or da:ken for days, and may be for
years, their pathway and lives. grand and
golden now in the radiance Of Hope.
And SO all day long the Post Office pre-
seh,s a strange and weird picture Of the
city, in which all varieties of shades and
colorings are seen-and all who will may
gather instruction and amusement from it.
And he who in its daily congregation can
find nothing to amuse or pIease-who in
them can learn no lesson in the mysteries
OF human nature that shall be OF service
to him in the conflicts Of life, may seek in
vain TO gather instruction FROM other
sources.