The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-09-02
THE CLEARPOND STAGE.


about and run!
Brooklyn Eagle.
THE CLEARPOND STAGE.
1t had been storming hard all day,
The seventeen miles Of billy roadway
from Selborn to Clearpond were two
feet deep in the snow, which was still
falling, and the evening stage was late.
1t was due in Clearpond at eight o'clock,
but the pointer stood at nine in the VII
lage .sStore and Post-ofice," and yet
the stage had not come.
The Store was full, as usual, of men
waiting for the mail. There was "the
Judge" who had never held other court
than that which was now assembled
around him, but whose keen wit and
solid Judgment were well worthy of a
higher bench; his Boswell, in the per-
son of " Uncle Cephas," the village cob
bier, from each corner of whose mouth
issued perpetually tawny ooze sug-
gestive of tobacco; "the Deacon" a
notorious drinker and swearer, but of
severe and dignified aspect; "Gran'pa
Billin's,," whose kind smile and ven
cradle white beard gave "tone " to tho
assembly; and "Banty," the Postmas,
ter, whose real name of Simpkins had
been long discarded from common use
for the nickname which his small size
and strutting manner had earned for
him. Beside these there were dozen
young fellows and some old ones, of
more or less consequence, the whole
forming a company such as every New
England Post-office knew well at that
time. This was the place to get st the
news,'' as much as the 'ssewin' -meetin'.
"They do say" remarked the Judge,
rolling 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 Postmater, 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 impress
sively.
"Humph!" said the Judge, after a
moments pause. "He'll be a-buntin'
his head a-gin' stun-wan. The Guv'-
ment's economizin'. Seth won't git no
riz this year."
"Think notp" piped in old Uncle &C.
phas, making a clean path for his words
at the expense of his hand. "He ruth
er expects it. Told me so yesterday"
Acknowledgement, l tell
you'll" repeated the Judge, pounding on
the counter to emphasize each word
and the weight of opinion seemed to be
on his side.
Just then the door opened, and 9
pretty young girl, with bright dark eyes
and Trim figure, peered in shyly through
the cloud of tobacco-smoke. Grandpa
Billin's was near the door and beckonec
to her reassuringly.
sCome in, Hettie," he said. Stage
hain't come"
"You don't suppose anything ha'
happened to Father, do youP' said pref
ty Henrietta Plunkett, coming just in
side the door.
claw, moi" replied Grandpa Billin' g
while from the crowd further in q younl
man made his way, whose rising color
as he pressed forward, seemed to great
" amuse his companions, one OF whom
said, with sly wink; "Pelt Cressy'l
tell her the news, Gran'pa. Save ye
breath"
Hettie was about to shut the doc
quickly; but the young man was to
close behind her and was soon by he
side. -.
.What are you a-doin' out in thi
storm. Hettie?" he asked, in tone 6
tender reproach.
AZ got real scared about father,
said Hettie Plunkett. +" l stood it
long as l could, and then l started ou
'Tisn't far, you know, Pelt. You needn
90 home with me. amt afraid"
"Law!'' said Pelt Greasy, facetiousl!
"a he made her take his stout arm
MHow independent some folks are!
And they walked on to Seth Plunkett
little cottage.
Mr.. Pelton Cressy and his sweetheal
would have told you that it was but
few moments before the stage came in
lint the men at the store knew that
was a long hour, and were glad enoug
to hear the familiar sound of the stag
bells coming. One pair OF quick ca
heard them "down ter the bend o. Il
r;ver:" and soon, with the light from
Dozen uplifte d curtains in the neighbo
hood streaming out on the snow-po1
dered horses, and with grand fiouri'
of whip and rein, the stage drew up
the Post-office door. Then Seth Flu
kett sprang from the high drivers sea
dragging after him the blg Leather
mailbags, which always s ssa r,aa r,olS
mail and burst into the bright light al
steaming air of the long, low room.
He wore a great bear-skin oyercos
which was white with snow, and his 4
can and the tuft of whiskers on his Oh
were still winter. Everybody clear
the way before the powerful fellow,
he strobe to the counter and hung 6
mailbag over.