The Democratic advocate., 1874-05-30

men and true pass over the documents TO
him from headquarters, every one Of whom
embraces such opportunity to study the
Post-mark as the tallowy fare Of the light
affords him.
Mr., Battles l"--again sings up the Of |
fetal at the desk. Everybody looks around
to find Mr.. Battles, He Is sought after
with as anxious care as the hundredtb |
sheep that wentastray His acquaintance |
explore every corner and Granny, look one
side and another of the stove-pipc, aud |
finally respond--aNot hsrel' Then, akIr. |
Cannikin r. He comes forward as far as
the jam permits him, and is put in pos
session Of his mail, much after the style
OF Mr.. Atkins. Then, "Miss Fairmade |"
At which some Of the young men ex.
change jokes, in q low voice, while little
boy-who has been on the lockout for his
pretty sister near the counter reaches out
his tawny hand and makes an effective
grab for it and carries ii off.
SO on, through the list. To those who
go without word to their own boxes and
bring away their mails with tap on
the glass, this picture may seem an exag-
geration but back in the country, and
altogether beyond town-reach, it will be
recognized at glance for the truth.
Again and again have we heard our name
called out in the cars Of the town magnates
and received what mail matter was right
fully ours through the hands of we could
not tell how many accommodating men
and boys, mixed together in oficious con
fusion.
On mooted points Of law--especially
constitutional law---the country Postmas-
ter is strong beyond any ones estimate.
He has the mother-wit to keep "a handful Of
stray old Congressional Reports, bound and
lettered, on the dusty shelf at his back
as well as more solid-looking copy of the
Statutes, in imposing calf; and, with his
legal stock in trade, he sets the town at
defiance. OF course he is not to be con-
tradicted on matters pertaining to the ma
tion and its welfare, for, sustaining such
close relations with the Government, how
is it to be supposed that any other man
can know some things as well as he I?
Even Goldsmith's school-master is no
match for him, in the line of aarguing
still" Not even member Of the Presi-
dents Cabinet can give an opinion with
more pragmatic precision, or deliver him
self with greater assurance of the inten-
tons Of the august Washington author
tiles. He stands for the village Rajah--
the Great Mogul--at the head Of the
political wigwam Of the place. National
politics take their local coloring by being
passed through the rather opaque medium
of his official commentary. He is sketch
ed, in the party's mind, as the one man
who keeps the keys the seals, and the
secrets. Ifa single man contcmplates SO
reckless step as party backsliding, or
detection, he Of all the rest is close behind
him to make him quake in whatever
clothes he happens to have on
Thus does the Postmaster practically
become the centre Of town patronage and
town consequence. All look up to him,
as they do to the village flagstaff, from
which the ''ssars and stripes are in the
habit of waving. II any grumble at this
or at that, it makes very little difference
they are obliged to keep on even terms
with him, and pocket all their dissatisfac-
tions in silence The women either like
or dislike him, and that very decidedly.
The younger portion, however, are careful
to drop no syllable that can reach the
Postmaster's family, and 50 make Infinite
trouble for themselves.
When they trip across into the office.
they expect a joke from him, rather slyly,
about their distant correspondents which
shows with what studious tboroucbness
he informs himself, and what a memory
passing all wonder, he has. Indeed i
affords him intense satisfaction to poke
fun at the girls about their beaux and to
tease them with intent to draw forth still
more Of their little loye.secrets.
Thus, no doubt, would he like q mss
long afternoons. alterna,elv r,,,;,, av.r
failed % call Car. .na ra..;r,,;an s;,,. ~