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

lanQWrIt1ng, ana he was sometime
asked to mail one bearing the superscrip
tion of IS Welles Kendrick, " and whel
he was always met by the same bright
faced girl, sometimes watching for hin
at the very door.
1t was quiet, blossomy place, and h,
| liked it better than most others, despit,
his first awkward adventure He ever
made up romance about the two-th,
girl and the absent man-just as Coz
had predicted, only he did not tel
him so.
Poor fellowi he was very lonely those
days, and was too proud to seek his &C
customed society; and it is not to bt
wondered at that he would stand and reaC
over the name Mercy Hoyt, and feel az
if he knew the girl who met him twice
week with such q happy face.
As if for having laughed at him al
first, she gave him rose one day, when
she saw him stop to smell one-only 8
common rose, but the foolish fellow
coveted no other; and when the slam
rays of the sun fell on royal jacqui-
minot that the too full hands of a little
child had dropped on his pathway, he
left it lying there, feeling almost Jealous
for his own, then well-nigh faded.
He asked for glass of water one day,
hoping she would bring it herself, as
she did; but the next time her letter
came he found himself wondering why
she must have it, and if it would make
any difference to him if she did not.
Then the summer went, and for three
weeks he delivered no letter bearing the
familiar address; then one with black
border, and in a strange hand Norris
| h1l1 1,a1 T., Il
not surprised that he missed the girls
face at the door, and the letters ceased
altogether. He knew then what hold
she had taken on him, and in his sorrow
for her grief, as he pictured il, and
partly because he wanted the excuse, he
sent her flowers, and sometimes books,
through the mail; he wouldn't have
done it if Con had been there to laugh
at his sentimentality. This went on ali
winter. Then Con wrote:
"DEAR CUPID-Are your wings all
right? How about the valentinesP
Glad to hear old Perchanee knew what
he was about. I'll bet you bought
cigars and new meerschaum, first
thing. When are we to see youp Fling
your mailbag at your fortunate sue
cessor's head and come right on. The
guest-chamber is prepared for you, so
is Yours, Con"
"I'll have to CO." thought Norris,
"but vow don't want to. Who
would believe I'd live to say that? I'll
take day off, and think about it." So
he did, and came to the conclusion he
would be Mercy's postman a while
logger.
But the first day the latch of her gate
clicked behind him, he stopped dumb
founded; for although the sparrows
were busy in the vines, and a gray cat
dozed on a porch in the sunshine, the
house was empty, and For sale" stared
him in the face. He turned away, feel
ing rs King Midas must have done when
the rose, turning to gold in his hand,
lost its perfume.
That settles ii" he thought; "I'll go
to Con" But first he tried to find
Mercy's address, but was told all letters
were to be sent to a certain 2. 0. box.
Con net him with open arms.
Thought you were never coming.
Hollo! shaved off your beardP Quite
an Improvement. What's new? How's
the U. S. Mp Awfully glad you are
out of it. You must have had a fear
fully stupid time all WINTER
Mot SO very" said Norris "What
have you been doingP"
Con launched forth into aseries of ac-
counts until they reached the house.
The next morning the two sat smok-
ing on the porch. The horse -chestnuts
were opening little green parasols over
the primroses, lest they should get sun
burnt, l suppose; q busy little wren
was building her nest in the honey
suckle.
Con was doing most of the talking,
and Norris sat back taking in his sur
roundings. Finally he became absorbed
in watching the movements Of straw
hat in the adjoining garden; occasion
ally it would make its appearance above
the tence-sometimes side view, and
he would catch a glimpse of brown hair
under it; then q front view less fortu-
n ate. the least tip of chin only being
visible, and he could not decide if the
owner were young or old, pretty or rot
1t was getting decidedly interesting,
when a hand appeared taking hold OF
the fence, and, rising from her STOPPING
position, the wearer of the hat stood up.
Norris sprarg to his feet, calculating,
BY Joye" much to Cons astonish-
ment, who had been putting away
silently for some moments.
Norris, my dear boy. would you
mind telling me what is the matterpn
he asked, mildly.
8 only burnt myself with the end of
my cigar" he answered. "Let's take a
walk I'll swear it was Mercy he
said, under his breath, and was so silent
all the morning that Con began to be
alarmed.
rll tell you what" he said, you've
moped so long that you can't get out of
the habit We must do something
wild and bold and giddy to rouse you
up"
"All right" said Norris. "I'm your
man."
There's picnic somewhere to-day.
What do you say to that?"
Flavors of spiders, ants, mashed
pies and showers. Pm not bold enough
nor giddy enough either, for such an
enterprise"
Let's take drive"
'sToo hot"
"Oh, bother!" said Con. "No, it
isn't. You're too lazy. "I'll take you
to see some girls. How does that strike
youP"
Norris was silent moment.
WhoP" said he.
Ahot" cried Con. That's it. is it?
| didn't think you were up to that sort
of thing. It's more in my line, you
know. Well, we'll 60 on the warpath
this afternoon"
Norris quietly acouiesced. hopino