Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-10-20

lnlS l0V1tdblOu Wftd duCTobS6Q TO 1ltQ
by man who, with a pipe in his
mouth, was standing upon the threshold
of the clearinghouse.
The rain was pouring down at that
moment; a fierce blast swept il into
Pere Martins face, prevented him from
walking and bent to the ground the
stalwart trees.
The postman was a little ahead oi
time, and the demands of the service
do not go so far as to forbid the ac-
ceptance of q momentary shelter when
it offers itself under such circumstances.
He, therefore, went into the house
and sat down beside the fire which
cracked on the hearth. The man who
had invited him to enter threw upon ii
some dry branches, which were soon in
flames; heavy vapor arose from Mar
tins soaked garments.
The stranger interrogated the post
man as to the hours of the departure
Of the mails, and asked him host OF
questions about himself, his service and
everything concerning it.
you know me then2" said the post
man.
"Parbleul Everybody loves and
esteems you here; Pere Martins value
is we'll known. hope you will not re-
fuse to drikk with me. Hol Madam
Roster, two glasses of your best
brandy"
A woman waited on them and re-
turned to her occupation.
q WbokNo I1rr,rs 4,.n \ -<,,r f<l l1ox- De-,
Martin I" said the man. "Will it take
you much longer to finish your round 7
You doubtless have yet to go to the
Landa Grise, to Plessis. I know some
one who is impatiently waiting for You
there. I am obliged to pass in the
vicinity. II you wish it I will relieve
you of your letters -
THANK you; I 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
tu1AC0 IL OfCA anu OfC4.
"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 no 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 a distance, but found an op-
portunity to cast q 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 his
dog by the skin of the neck. The ami
mails 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 if 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
filed with thick smoke, and lifting
the letters spread out upon the table
scattered them in every direction.
The possfnan uttered an exclamation
of anger.
"Bah it is nothing" said the person
who had caused the accident. eve
two will speedily gather them up"
And without needing the refusal OF
Martin, whe 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 ex-
amined them I; then he seemed worried,
as if he had not the full number.
"Are any missing2" asked his COM
Ianion.
cit appears to me that there was
another letter.
Bahl either you are deceived OF
you forgot it at the postofice."
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 watched his companions move
ments and it did not seem admissible to
him that he had stolen letter. Never
theless he fastened to depart, regret
ting that he had entered the drinking
house. The man who had chatted with
him inspired in him veritable repul
sion, and it was his rule, because of the
habits of discretion which the postoffice
imposes upon all its agents, to keep al
distance all who do not appear to hin
worthy of confidence.
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 OF the doorofher house
awaiting his passage. She was still
young and, without possessing remark
able beauty, had neat and sympa-
thetie countenance.
& Monsieur Martin" said she 10 the
dostman, " have you letter for me q
No, Madam Andre, I have not
That's strange; my husband should
have written to me to-day; you cannot
imagine how much his silence troubles
me-
She grew pale and seemed scarcely tc
have the strength to sustain herself.
The postman assisted her into the
house and handed her chair upor
which she let herself fall. Two charm
ing children fixed on her sad and anx,
ious looks.
You viii receive letter to morrow
Madam Andre, said Pere Martin; " the
delay OF day is easily explained: youl
husband was disapp pointed, some unfore