Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-12-22

Ill bItiI lduVo. IS
This was the address upon the letter. =
In spite of the wet. in spite of the blood.
in spite of the wrinkles, in spite Of the
stumpy old pencil; and the blue, cold npg-
FRS that had traced it, the superscription
was quite plain and clear:
ITO The Lord jesus CHRIST
BOSTON,"
The carrier looked at the clerk. The
clerk looked at the carrier.
II YUM, repeated the carrier.
"I'm-dum," said the clerk.
And indeed he seemed to be.
"Aust have been them young ones,
said the carrier.
Expects us to know which way to mai
1t, ] suppose,' said the clerk.
He tried to laugh; but over his face, too
there stole look like one little in fear
or awe.
Another man came up. two or three
gathered; they lounged ana looked on idly
They leaned over the carriers shoulder
Suddenly they broke into hoarse and heavy
laughter. Then as suddenly they grew
still. Each looked at the other strangely
and there was an awkward pause.
Poor little fools!" said one man, softly
~ amt so sure who's the fools. Bill. ,
said another. But the carrier continued
to say
"I-vum!"
"Got two-cent stamp on, ton," said
the servant Of the United States Mail, 81
last. Must do something with 1t. Boys
the chap thought He lived i'll Boston. 'pol
my word he did,"
One man laughed again, but only one.
Its clear city stamp won't carry thu
thing far enough said the clerk. II shall
hold It," he added, gravely, for insult
Gent postage" And he did.
The storm was over. Through the bro
ken window, the sun shone in fine line
between the heavy frost that overswer
The pane, it lay upon the floor In 4 olar'
of white, cold light, itself like sheet Of
ice. Popsy and Pease sat cnddied togeth
er in 1t.
Its warmer said Popsy, "'most."
Pm co-old!" said Pease. putting up bsl
lip again. She haAn't cried all night.
Tie landlady came and tucked them VI
with an old rug OF ers, that kept then
warm at timess for she had kind thoughts
now and then, like other cross people,
And Tim Jogglns wa, SO drunk that he
gave them johnny-cake for supper; and
SO they had got along. Besides, it was
morning. and at makes such differ
ence In this wrid.
Pm going out now" said Popsy. the
first thing. "on business
"Pease, let rue go too Popsy,' said
Sweet Pease. with perfect assurance
scramhling to her + ct.
~ on cry 81" said Popsy. He did moi
want 20 have to turn round again will
her this time.
"Oh no, said Sweet Peass, cheerfully.
II don't KY"
WHO does. then? asked Popsy; but be
twisted her up IN the old plaid tippet; and
let her go.
Somebody kies." said Pease. thought
fully, as they trotted along in the brilliant.
biting air But faint me. | don't Ky.
Lord Zhesus Kist kies, l guess. S,me.
body kled. Guess it's Lord Zhesus, Pop.
sy!''
Perfectly satisfied with this theological
explanation Of her personal faults, Sweet
Peass clung to Pvpss g hand, and drew in
her breath complacently, laughing softly
as they went, Ii anybody was to he blam-
ed, the Lnrd Jesus seemed to Psase AZ
convenient person as coul b. found.
AT all events, Pease could not think of
anyone else just then, except Mr.. Joggins
and he gave them their supper, which
was more than the Lord Jesus did. poor
Pease thought. She wouldn't have Tim
Juggins blamed.
Il expect an answer" said Popsy. as
they painted on in the cutting wind, "an
answer to my letter."
what letter. asked Pease, who had
forgotten all abnut it.
my letter to the Lord Jesus" said Pop
sy; "the one mailed yesterday"
'sCsn He wife pwint7' asked Pease.
"Oh yes" said Popsy. simply. I'm
sure he can. guess He's got SO far as
writing Pease. DON'T you be afraid. l
don't b'iIeve lie has to print notes 10 lit
tie boys. But don't know where to find
the letter, 'z.csly," added Popsy, with an
air of suppressed anxiety. But don't you
be afraid. He'll answer the letter, Pease -
maybe it'll be on the letter-box," said
Peasa, becoming int ,aei in the matter.
Maybe it'll come out that little hole. 1
should tink. Will it come this morning
Popsy?'
Sometime to-day. I guess replied
Pepsy, stoutly
So when they came in sight of the let
ter box there was somebody there, TWAS
the carrier. He did not look dim, as he
did yesterday in the storm, but shining
and clear, for the sun fell fu ! on him; as
If a figure had stepped from the back
ground to the foreground of picture.
The sun fell so full tn t Popsy and Pease
wer+ little blinded and confused a. they
looked,
us the letter-man,' said Popsy, 'sbut
there's somebody with him. There anoth-
er man.
And truly there was. A gentleman
stood beside the carrier. He shaded his
eyes VITA his hand, and seemed to BIZ
There" said the carrier, 81 told you
80. Thought they'd come back to this box
to see after it, the poor little fools! Ivum,
sir. Them are the verv young ones. There
they be. Look across there. A boy and
4 gal. The gal has sort of plaided tip
pet round her. See?'
Eyes. sse,'' said the gentleman softly,
still shading his eyes. which had grown
binding wet. as the little figures of the
rs 80