Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-01-06

ing in an innocent and unsuspecting man
ner to the secret postofice in the wood
half mile from Mr.. Rowley's house.
when became conscious of the whole per-
fdy. [ was close upon the tree-that
brave old oak which had held SO many
secrets-when voices in another direction
filled my soul with horror. They were
the voices of Samuel Rowley, Esq, j.
P, and Peter Stones. my Mercury. [
sank in the long grass-there was rapid
thaw that morning. ard the damp struck
to me at once-and trembled for my love.
I was not an instant to, soon their foot
steps were upon me. Mr.. Rowley's right
foot was nearly upon me also; he shaved
my features by hairs breadth, and pass
ed on. The harsh tones of his voice rang
in my ears an instant afterwards,
"You don't consider yourself an abomi-
nable scamp, I suppose" Mr.. Rowley
said, 'an unpriucipled old vagabond, to
act as go-between to silly schoolgirl
and that idiot of a boy. You never tho't
of the harm of encouraging this, did you?"
I'm very sorry, sir, whispered Pc
ter
Teaching my ward to be deceitful. for
the sake of few sixpences, suppose.
I've never had ha'pcnny. your hon.
or, much more sixpence.
Neither had he. They we're generally
half-crowns he was in the habit of receiv-
ing from me.
"You deserve to be kicked out of my
service. Stokes-drummed out of the vii
lage. for wicked old hypocrite y
They was VERY fond of each other,
sir, and Miss Clara used to ask me so be-
seeching; and when I told her there was
harm in writing to Master Huskisson
without her dear gardewan's knowing any,
think about it, she alters said it was for
the last time, sir-really."
"If it was not for your age, Stokes, I'd
send you about your business this very
day."
''rm very sorry. SIR Stokes said a.
gain. shedding many tears.
rs this the tree p
''Yes, sir, that's the tree
"Aud Clara's last letter is up there now.
Ell? In that hole? Now, no more lies I"
.'Yes, sir, in that hole"
.'How on earth do you get at it p
master Huskisson climbs up there.
sir, for his answers I'll go and fetch
down Miss Clara's letsss, 10 mint"
There was smali epIstie Of his own he
wished to obtain as well. perhaps, or it
was possible that his roble mind had sug-
gested some scheme to save dear Clara's
missive from sacrilegious eyes. But Mr..
Rowley suspected this old servisor.
''Stop where you are, Stokes" heroar-
ed forth iii have no more Of your mon
key tricks. Give me back"
'.Give you a wot, sir Z"
''Bend your back, you rascal, and I'll
jump on it and get the letter myself"
Jump on it!' repeated Stokes, with a
look of dismay at Mr.. Rowley's portly fig
ure; cit don't strike me that can bear
your weight, master"
ut will only be for a. minute" " said
Mr.. Rowley quite brutally; and if /
break your back it will serve you right
enough. I'm not an elephant, man. and
| will have no more of this nonsense"
Mr.. Stokes resisted no farther. He
made bis back as if about to commence a
game at leap-frog with a justice of the
peace; and with more agility than had
given Mr. Rowley credit for the guardian
was aloft, and within an inch or two Of
our letter box.
20. lor shall you be long. sir p asked
Mr.. Stokes, groaning softly to himself.
Raise your shoulder. you rascal, lit
tie more," cried his employer.
Stokes did SO, and from my hiding
place saw the hand Of Mr.. Rowley strive
with some dificulty-for it was a fat.
gouty hand. l have already said-to force
itself into that casket, which had contain
ed SO many Of my dear Clara's epistles. -
Samuel Rowley was an excitable man
for he swore little in his efforts. and
turned very red, and moved his feet rest
lessly upon old Stokes back.
Il have got it," be cried at last
1.-The artful jade-the cunning. plotting
little mink to serve her own guardian in
this--Ow
whats the matter. sir p
"Wait moment. Stokes-don't shake.
O, lor, have mercy upon US @, damn
it! 0. dear, what is to be done ?"
us anythink pertickler the matter, sir?
Not hadder, | hope. or nest Of sarpints
or anythink p and old Stokes hid his head
little more-tucked in his tuppenny
we called it at school-to conceal his
laughing and sardonic countenance.
mo, Stokes; it's something much
worse, I'm sorry to say"
"Wus. sir 2 said Stokes, who left off
laughing Immediately.
.'Yes IL cant get my hand out"
''The devil you can't, sir cried Stokes
in dismay.
''It's twisted somehow, or swollen. or
the wood has gripped me. Wait mo-
ment, Stokes-O, it's all up with me! /
can't p
Take it quiet, sir. Keep cool, OF
you'll never do it--don't hagitate your
self-but for Cords sake look sharp
I'm q cracking"
Don't move. Stokes-.as you are .
man, don't move! Il you were to drop