The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-08-11


born 10 Cioarponi were two feet dcsp 4
the snow. which Was s,ill falling. and th
evening stage vas late II vas due 4
Arpond at eight clock, bat the po'nte
stood at nine in the village ''stor an
, post.ofllcs, and We, the stage bad no
come.
The store was fall. as usual, Of mel
waiting Goa The mail There Was 9TH
Judge, who bad never held other cour
than that which was now assemble,
around him. but whose keen wit and solis
judgment were well worthy Of a highel
bench; his Boswell, in the person OF 'Puncl'
Ccphas,r the village oobbler, frotn eacl
corner Of whose mouth issued perpetual,
a iavpy ooze suggestive Of tohscco; 'th'
Deacon, notorious drinker aud swearer
bat Of severe and digpihed aspect
"Gras,pA BillIas. Shpse Kindly smile
and venerable white beard gave "sone" ie
the assembly aud '.Banty, the postmAst
or, whose real name Of Simpkins had been
long discarded from common use for the
nickname which his small size and strut
lting manner had earned for him. Besides
these, there were a dozen young fellows
and some old ones. OF more or less conse-
quence, the whole forming company such
as every New England post Office knew
well at that time. This was the place to
get ''the news. as much as the "sewin'-
meetin.
They do say, remarked the Judge, roll
ing a quid OF tobacco from one cheek TO
the other they do say, Banty, that Seth
amt a-gettin' so much as he RELY wants
for takin' the mail How is it?
Seth Plunkett had faithfully carried the
United States mail between Selborn and
Clearpond for sixteen years.
Guess it's so. replied the shrewd little
postmaster, with knowing nod.
I'd like TO know, said the Deacon, what
he's a.goin' to do about it, Strike?
Banty nodded several times inn
rressively.
Humph said the Judge, after mo-
ment's pause. He'll be buntin his head
agin a stun. wall The guv'ment's econo-
Min. Seth won't get no riz this year.
Think not? piped up Uncle Cephas,
making clean path for his words at the
e1 pense Of bis hand. He ruther 'spects it.
Told me so yesterday
won't-gi git-no-riz, ! tell you! re-
peated the Judge, pounding on the coun-
ter to emphasize ench word and the
weight OF opinion seemed to be on his
side.
just then the door opened, and pretty
young girl, with bright dark eyes and
trim figure. peered in shyly through the
cloud Of tobacco smoke. Grandpa Bill
Inns was near the door, and beckoned to
her reassuringly.
Come in Hettie, he said. Stage haint
come.
You don't suppose anything has hap
pened to father, do you? said pretty Hen
retta Plunkett, coming just inside the
door.
Law, mol replied Grandpa Billin's,
while from the crowd further in young
man made his way, whose rising color. as
be pressed forward. seemed to greatly
amuse his companions. one Of whom said,
with a sly wink Pelt Cressy'll tell her
the news, Granpa. Save yer breath.
Hettie was about to shut the door quick
ly; but the young man was too close be-
hind her and was soon by her side.
What are you adding out in this storm,
Hettie? he asked, in a tone OF tender re-
proach.
/ got real scared about father, said Het-
tie Plunkett. stood it as long as could
and then started out Tisn't far, you
know, Pelt. You needn't go home with
me, amt afraid.
Law said Pelt Cressy, facetiously, as he
made her take his stout arm. How indie
pendent some folks arcl And they walked
on to Seth Plunkett's little cottage.
Mr.. Pelton Cressy aud his sweetheart
would have told you that it was but few
moments before the stage came in, but the
men nj the store knew that it was long
hour, and we're glad enough to hear the
familiar sound Of the stage.bells coming.
One pair OF quick ears heard them down
ter the bend O. the river" and soon, with
the light from dozen uplifted curtains in
the neighborhood streaming out on the
snow powdered horses, and with grand
flourish Of whip aud rein, the stage drew
up at the post Office door. Then Seth
Plunkett sprang from the high drivers
seat. dragging after him the great leathern
mail bag, which always seemed ridiculous.
~ too large to hold the Clcarpond mail,
aud burst into the bright light and steam
ing air OF the long, low room.
Ho wore great bearskin overcoat,
which was white with snow, and his fur
cap and the tuft Of whiskers on his chin
were still whittier. Everybody cleared the
way before the powerful fellow, rs he
strobe TO the counter and hung the mail
bag over
Itell you. boys, said Beth Plunkett,
fiercely and with abunlsn. profanity,
turning TO the erpoctant throng, it's an
awful night, and anybody that thinks I'm
going TO carry this mail over that road any
longer for two hundred dollars year is
sold. That's all. III be blessed il 1 will
Wha, is he goin' 10 dog said the Judge,
ss Seth disappeared to''put ont his team. "
He's driv' stage-wal, il must be nigh on
10 seventeen year He amt used TO dom
nothin' else. s'pose. though. be could
.xa,. 10 lnxntJ ftNur,by ful1x.