Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-04-01
MERCY'S POSTMAN.

"You. Cassius, hath lean and hun.
CRY look. What's up, Norrisp"
I'm in for it, old fellow! Fancy
me flying round the streets in a gray
uniform with leather bag on my back
stuffed with valentines.
"a modern Cupid! Is that what you
are coming to? That's your position in
the postoffice departments itP Are
you going to take itp"
Am | going to take bread and but
teri Didn't you say that hod a lean
and hungry look?"
g. said Cassius had; but it's all right.
You won't wait till they settle up old
Parchance's affairsP"
"And in the meantime sweetly
starveP No. thank you, I'm too SUBJ
s5an;ial Cupid to live on dewdrops
Blame the bald old eagle! Why couldn t
he leave things straighterP"
"Who? Old Perchance? 1t WASH t
in him; he even walked like a crab
What irreverence toward your late re-
spected uncle He was very bald old
party. though. No dying or parting
now"
"Don't. don't, Con, 1 beg. 1 don't
feel iocular. And you are off to-mor-
rowP'
"Yes. It's hard times for you; but /
wouldn't worry. On the whole,
should rather enjoy it. You ought to
certainly, as you sentimentalize over
everything. The love-secrets you will
ferret out-the family histories you will
make up! l wish could be herem
Sc II the worse for me that you can't
self evenings. / shall make calls
or,o1rrb d.11.sr,a tho dow RI ctou I1,oo
nights"
my dear boy, dom get blue. 1t will
only be for time. If you weren't so
deuced proud, I'd make you go home
with me ="
We settled that, you know. rll
walk in on you some day YETI
:" hope so. My pipes out. Let's
woo the coy goddess, or, in plain Eng
lish, let's 60 to bed"
Only one of the everyday partings-
a hand-clasp, a "Good-by, old boy"
The train moves rapidly off, and Nor
ris Farnsworth turned away alone.
8 | am glad I've got to go to work"
he thought; 6 for / certainly shall miss
him."
1t was new experience for a man
who had always done exactly as he
pleased, who had walked clear of
thickets and brambles, in this thorny
way through life. Albeit. lie felt a
wholesome pride, as he started on his
route that spring morning-more of a
man in his Independence.
The gardens were all green in front of
the houses that first day-dandelions
plentifully spotting the grass; the lilac
IN &c hrrth harr yl,r~1
sale; spring trade briskly started among
the f1ower-beds, where the buds were
bursting from their wrappings, show
ing the striped, spotted and mottled
goods in AL the spring shades for the
bees and butterflies to admire.
Norris rang furiously at the doors
with sort al feeling that it was incum-
bent upon him in his capacity as post
man to make as much noise as possible,
and he did it as a matter OF principle,
wishing all the time that Con Converse
could see him.
1t mattered little whether it was
Biddy washing off the steps, who, wip
ing her hands on her apron, took the
letter delicately between thumb and
finger, or madam, or madam's daugh
ter herself, until, standing with hi.
back to the door, and eyes fixed on {
bed of crocuses, hyacinths and tulip:
in one of the gardens, he heard littl,
amused laugh, and, turning quickly
came to his senses to see fair CIR
waiting for the letter he held in hi
hand.
With amurmured beg pardon" ant
little feeling of embarrassment at his
inattention, he rushed down the step
precipitately, and directly against :
large tree that grew close by, but not il
the path. 80
1t took him several minutes to collec
his scattered senses, as well as his scat
tered letters, not feeling certain bu
what he was still being regarded by
pair of brown eyes; lie did not stop Il
see, but was rather more attentive 70
the rest of the day.
"A blind cupid, sure enough"
thought. Blame the girl! If it ha
been servant, wouldn't have cared.
In a few days there was another lettt
for the same house, and the preternatl
rnl solemnity with which be handed
In. without raising his eyes, certainl
did emuse the young Indy who took Il
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