The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-10-08

drinks and a few groceries.
"Ho! Monsieur, the postman, stop
here for an instant; while you are Civ
ing me the information | need, the vio-
lence of the storm will abate."
This invitation was addressed to him
by man who, with pipe in his mouth,
was standing upon the threshold of the
drinking house.
The rain was pouring down at that
moment; a fierce blast swept it into
Pere Martins face, prevented him from
walking and bent to the ground the
stalwart trees.
The postman was little ahead OF
time, and the demands of the service do
not 90 so far as to forbid the accept
ance of momentary shelter when it
offers itself under such circumstances,
He, therefore, went into the house
and sat down before the fire which
cracked on the hearth. The man who
had invited him to enter threw upon it
some dry branches which were soon in
flames; a heavy vapor arose from Mar
tins soaked garments. .......-.
The stranger Intercepted the post
man as to the hours of the departure of
the mails, and asked him host of ques-
tions about himself, his service and
everything concerning it.
'You know me, thenP' said the
postman.
Parbleu! Everybody loves and es-
teens you here; Pere Martins value is
well known. hope you will not refuse
to drink with me. Ho! Madame Roster,
two glasses of your best brandy"
A woman waited on them and re-
turned to her occupation.
What dogs trade you follow, Pere
Martini" said the man. "Will it take
you much longer to finish your roundP
You doubtless have yet to 90 to the
Landa Grise, to Plessis. 1 know some
one who is impatiently waiting for you
there. | am obliged to pass in the vi
entity. If you wish it will relieve you
of your letters"
"Thank you; l will deliver them my
SELF" ..' .t
"That's yourself out and out. After
all you are right. 1t is your duty to de-
liver them"
While talking with loquac;ty which
did not encourage the postman he took
up the sack the latter had placed beside
him, seemed to feel it's weight and
turne it over and over.
''Let my sack alone, please" said
Martin, coldly. "You have disarranged
all my letters. 1 shall no longer know
what to do"
The other humbly excused himself
for his awkwardness.
"The evil is reparable,n added he.
"Seat yourself at this table and you
will have no trouble to arrange the let
ters according to the route you should
take" 0....
The postman emptied his sack before
him and began to arrange his letters.
His questioner affected to keep discreet
ly at distance, but found an opportu-
nifty to cast frrtive glance over his
shoulder.
While Martin was busy with his work
he heard furious growls behind him.
"Pere Martin, help me to prevent
your dog from strangling mine," said
his new acquaintance.
The postman arose and caught his
dog by the skin of the neck. The ami
malls fury contrasted with its habitual
gentleness.
This fact seemed strange to Martin.
He felt distrust of the communicative
stranger grow upon him. He was about
to replace his papers in the sack when
the man, as it to see what was the state
of the weather, opened the door.
At the same instant the wind swept
impetuously into the room, which it
filled with thick smoke, and lifting
the letters spread out upon the table
scattered them in every direction.
The postman uttered an exclamation
of anger.
bah! it is nothing" said the person
who had caused the accident. 1--WE
two will speedily gather them up"
And without needing the refusal of
Martin, who wished to avoid his help
and do the work alone, he began to
search for the letters.
When they had collected all they
could find the postman carefully exam
ined them; then he seemed worried, as
if he had not the full number.
care any missing?'' asked his COM
panion.
at appears to me that there was an
other letter."
'Bah! either you are deceived or you
forgot it at the postoliice.
THAT is quite possible"
He said to himself that it must be so.
However he resumed his hunt and
searched beneath the furniture He
found nothing and concluded that his
memory had not served him faithfully,
for he had watched his comp anion's
movements and it did not seem admis-
sable to him that he had stolen letter.
Nevertheless he fastened to depart,
regretting that he had entered the
drinking house. The man who had
chasted with him inspired in him YER
liable repulsion. and it was hisrule, be-
cause of the habits of discretion which
the postoffice imposes upon all it's
agents, to keep at distance all who did
not appear to him worthy of conf
dence. ..I ....
The storm had somewhat abated its
fury, the rain soon ceased to fall and
bright sunshine lighted up the country
when the postman reached the nearest
village.
A woman was at the door of her house
awaiting his passage. She was still
young and, without possessing remark
able beauty, had neat and sympathetic
countenance.