Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-31
clerks rolled into one postmaster, and


ed to fraternize 1t was the event of
the season in the county. Mr.. Darke
was one of the patrons, and OCCASION
ally honored the ball with his pres
ence and that of "his lovely and ac-
complished daughter" as the local
journal gushingIy styled her. This
year he had not announced his inten-
tion of going, and it was generally
supposed therefore that he would not
be present. He had just made a fierce
raid on the poachers, and was report
ed to head his watchers nightly in
person, being determined to put down
| the gang, two OF the ringleadcrs Of
which had just been sentenced to
long imprisonments through his in
strumentality.
One afternoon, about three days be-
fore the ball, | was looking out Of
window. My desk was Just at the
junction Of the Office in which letters
were received, orders issued, and
transactions with the pubic general
ly conducted, with the inner room in
which the sorting was done, and the
internal affairs OF the Office were ar
ranged. These two rooms formed
two sides of the small court or vesti-
bule, which was open to the public !;
and the window where | sat was just
in the angle, lighting the inner Office,
so that, by looking over the ground
glass with which the window was
glazed halfway up, l could see in
profile all applicants at the outer Of
flee.
The other clerks were at tea-a
meal did not care for &; and had,
Just as an occupation, cleared the
box and sorted the letters, and then
returned to my desk. AS | mounted
the stool | saw one of Mr.. Darke's
servants post letter.
He was only stable-help, and had
but lately entered NJ. Darke's service;
yet | knew him, for it was a silly fan
cy Of mine to watch all Mary's sur
roundings with minute care, and pic
ture to myself where / should have
made alterations and improvements,
supposing | had been rich enough to
MAKE her mine.
noticed that the fellow peered
round, as if anxious to see if he were
observed Not noticing my face at
the window, owing to the deepening
twilight, he seemed reassurcd and
slipped letter into the box. There
was something SO odd about this that
| at once went to the box and took it
out perhaps | half expected it was
from Mary. 1t was in wretched
scrawl, probably the fellows own,
and was addressed 81. NJ, Post-Of-
fee, Cowford TO be called for)." |
hurried to a window which gave a
view of the street, and just caught
sight of the man climbing into a cart
which was standing outside the poul-
terers, few doors off. | knew it to
be the gamekceper's cart, in which
game was brought into town for sale.
As | watched | saw the keeper come
out of the shop, mount the cart, and
drive of. The help had evidently
taken advantage Of his absence to
steal off and post his missive.
don't know why took any fur
ther notice of the letter. Having as
certained it was his, ought to have
dismissed all thought OF it. But some
how | did not. | watched anxiously,
to sec who would come and claim it.
The claimant appeared next day !;
a couple of rough-looking fellows
railway laborers to all appearance
came in, and one of them asked for
a letter 81. NJ" Having obtained it,
they drew aside into a corner and
opened it and the corner happened
to be the one where my window was.
With the utmost precaution against
making any noise to alarm them, |
raised the sash about an inch and
listened.
! The first words | caught were, "will
go to the ball, and he won't return
till latish."
"That's the time for me That's
the time, as he's comm back agin,"
remarked the listener, in a hoarse
whisper.
"There'll be none with him but
young miss, for there's none stopping
here. Willis y that was the coach
mans name, | knew y" will drive
the chestnuts. This is all know ;
| shall post it when Pm in town with
keeper, and sha'n't be in again till
next week"
"That'll do" said the man, when
he had finished reading: "we'll fin
ish off tn ball form WI a dance he
won't loike !"
eyes, durn un !" said the other
and with that the two moved off,
This discovery of mine settled a
doubt that had been perplexing me.
had been undecided whittier to go
to the ball or not The expense, and
a feeling that | could not hope to do
more than see Mary, without speak,
ing to her, had deferred me Now
felt might go and warn her father of
his danger and by so doing perhaps
be rewarded by exchanging a few
words with her ; by hearing her
thanks ; by--but ] dared not dream
of such happiness as dancing with
her.
So l purchased a ticket; and when
the momentous time arrived went to
the ball with a beating heart, and a
terrible sensation Of choking in my
throat. l took my station near the
entrance until Mr.. Darke arrived. Be
fore long his carriage drove up, and
he and Mary alighted. As he turned
to tell the coachman at what hour to
fetch him l saw man push forward
through the crowd, as if to hear what