The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-10-20

He had distributed q portion OF his
mail, but his round was far from being
finished when he passed an inn, or rather
q miserable clearinghouse, situated at
the entrance of wood; this place was
mainly patronized by sabot-makers, who
found there alcoholic drinks and few
groceries.
"Ho! Monsieur, the postman, stop
here for an Instant while you are CIV
| ing me the information l need, the
violence of the storm will abate."
This invitation was addressed to him
by a man who, with q pipe in his
mouth, was standing upon the threshold
of the clearinghouse.
The rain was pouring down at that
moment; 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 go so far as to forbid the ac-
ceptarce of momentary shelter when
il offers itself under such circumstances.
He, therefore, went into the house
and sat down beside the fire which
cracEled on the hearth. The man who
had invited him to enter threw upon it
some dry branches, which were soon in
flames; heavy vapor arose from Mar
tins soaked garments.
The stranger interrogated the post
mun as to the hours of the departure
of the mails, and asked him host of
questions about himself, his service and
every thing concerning it.
"You krow me then?" said the post
man.
"Parbloul Everybody loves and
esteems y you here; Pere Martins value
is we'll known. 1 hope you will not re-
fuse to drink with me. Hol Madam
Roster, two glasses of your best
brandy"
A woman waited on them and re-
turned to her occupation.
"What dogs trade you follow, Pore
Martin !" said the man. "Will it take
you much longer to finish your round
You doubtless have yet to go to the
Landa Grise, to Plessis. I know some
ore who is impatiently waiting for you
there. | am obliged to pass in the
vicinity. Ii you wish it 1 will relieve
you of your letters"
"Thank You; will deliver them my.
self"
THAT'S yourself out and out. After
all you are right. 1t is your duty to
deliver them"
While talking with loquacity which
did not encourage the postman he took
up the sack the latter had placed beside
him, seemed to feel its weight and
turned it over and over.
"Let my sack alone, please" said
Martin, coldly. "You have disar-
ranged all my letters. shall no longer
know what to do"
The other humbly excused himself
for his awkwardness.
"The evil is reparable," added he,
"Seat yourself at this table, and you
will have 10 trouble to arrange the let
ters according to the route you should
take"
The postman emptied his sack before
him, and began to arrange his letters
His questioner affected to keep dis
creetly at distance, but found an op
portunity to cast furtive 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 hi.
dog by the skin of the neck. The ami
mails fury contrasted with its habitua
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 sacl
when the man, as if to see what wa
the state of the weather, opened tn,
door.
At the same instant the wind swep
impetuously into the room, which i
filled with thick smoke, and lifting
, the letters spread out upon the tabl
. scattered them in every direction.
The postman uttered an exclamation
of anger.
7 "Bah it is nothing" said the persol
who had caused the accident. "W
two will speedily gather them up"
! And without needing the refusal Q
| Martin, who wished to avoid his hel
J and do the work alone, he began t
search for the letters.
1 When they had collected all the
, could find the postman carefully e2
amined them then he seemed worried
, as if he had not the full number.
"Are any missing" asked his con
} panion.
, at appears to me that there wa
/ another letter."
"Bah! either you are deceived {
} you forgot it at the postotfice."
> "That is quite possible"
He said to himself that it must be 81
T However he resumed his hunt an
4 searched beneath the furniture. q
, found nothing and concluded that h
: memory had not served him faithful,
3 for he watched his companions NOV
s ments and it did not seem admissible
Q him that he had stolen letter. Neve
!, theless he fastened to depart, regre
o ting that he had entered the drinking
n house. The man who had chatted wit
9 him inspired in him a veritable repu
e sion, and it was his rule, because of IL
!. habits of discretion which the postoffi,
O imposes upon all its agents, to keep
+ distance all who do not appear to hi
Y worthy of confidence.
d The storm had somewhat abated
g fury, the rain soon ceased to fall al
bright sunshine lighted up the count
q when the postman reached the neare
D village.
l. A woman was at the door of her hou
n ouo;tino his nassape She WAS st