The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-30

quickly pushed aside, exclaimed Joy

quickly pushed ASIDE, excialme1 JOY
fully,
"Who should it be but the fair
stranger of post-ofice memory You
can imagine the questions and m.
swers which followed each other in
quick succession.
"Finally grasping my hand unre-
servedly in hers, she hurried me up
to the company, and, before we had
fairly reached them, she cried,-
"'Papal papa here is Mr.. O'Ban-
del, the man who gave me the money
in the post-office, because the rude
clerk wouldn't give up my lotter!''
"Rude clerk did she say that ?"
circulated Sam.
II am adhering strictly to fact"
Jack assured him, and continued
"Papa instantly approaching mo, his
face beaming with pleasure, and
shook me warmly by the hand, at
the same timo introducing mo to his
his friends, and relating to them my
phiIanthropic action"
"Pray, don't mention the trife p
begged Sam.
"Trihe? Thunder how many
others do you suppose would have
done the same? You must assuredly
possess good and noble heart said
her papa to me, for only such have
confidence in their fellow creatures.
Well, to make a long story short, /
had to remove to- their hotel that
very day, and through that splendid
moonlight evening strolled about in
the gardens with angelic little Maysie
hanging to my arm. I went to my
room at eleven, but did not sleep; on
the contrary, again sought the
open air, and strolled about alone
By sunrise, had come to q certain
unutterable determination.
"Before breakfast I met tho judge,
who was glowing with kindness to
me, and I inquired about the state Of
his health.
sExcellentp he said, laughing
But Maysie slept very little last
night; 1 really can't imagi inc what is
the matter with the child
"My heart beat violently. I told
him that I too had slept but poor and
had therefore come 10 him.
"'To mel he exclaimed, astonish-
ed. Il am no physician
"'But for me you may be, dear
Judge, for your daughters picture
drove all sleep from my eyelids last
night ,.,
"The murder was out. He did not
look unf. iendly, cansequently | gath
cred boldness, and began to tell him
about my antecedents, my present
position, prospects, etc., when sudden
fy he cut me short, saying:-"Oh
botherl don't speak of that. Old
Judge Moonshine has enough for his
daug Inter and his daughters husband
both. You have proven yourself a
true-hearted man, and that is the
chief thing. shall never stand IN
the way of my daughters happiness.
You suit me first rate, and il May will
have you, all that 1 shall have to say
then, is, bless you my children.
"i don't remember now where l
found Maysie, and how it all happen
ed; but l do know that I escorted q
little angel to breakfast that morning,
who had promised to be my wife.
The wedding takes place two weeks
hence, and both of you are invited"
1.-THE rude post-ofico clerk ?" asked
Sam, incredulously.
"No, that Judgment has been cor
rected-the faithful and trustworthy
official, whose traditional sternness
became the bridge to happiness for
your humble servant and his beloved
BRIDE"
Sam and I both were at the we'd
ding, and no one, excepting the hap
py groom, danced oftener with the
blooming little bride than did my
morose friend of the post-office. Sam
still grumbles about his luck; but II
he couldn't, he would be happy.