Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1882-09-27


handed him the customary batch.
Out of townT asked.
"'Out of dis town, guess he re-
piled, with a grin. The Sheriff's Off
GERS are in the house
when l was delivering the letters
the next day, a hack drove up to the
door, and 1 fingered moment cut of
curiosity. The lady came down leaning
on her husbands arm, looking SO miser-
able and altered / hardly recognized
her. She must have noticed the OK
preston on my face, for she nodded TO
me and smiled; but such ghost of
smile. A few days afterward the things
in the house were sold by auction, and
new people came to live there; and
soon, amid the many thoughts of life,
forgot all about the young lady.
1T was in the summer of 1877, when
/ got put on a route III Germantown. |
was not very well, and thought the
country walking would do me good so
/ changed routes with comrade who
worked, as / said in Germantown.
Sorting ont my letters, rs l served one
of the pretty leafy avenues, | came
across one addressed to the old familiar
name, Mrs. ---, and in the husbands
handwriting. The postmark was Col
orado; so he was away; that was cvi-
dent. She was sitting on the porch of
a pretty little cottage, with child in
her arms. Ii was easy to see she was
no longer rich. The dresses of herself
and child. and the smallness and dirti-
ness of the Irish servant maid, who was
cleaning parlor window, denoted the
fact az a glance; but she did not look
unhappy, and she knew me at once.
Why, postman,' she exclaimed is it
possible it can be you9'
Yes, ma'am,' I says. it is; thank
ing You kindly for remembering me,
and here is one of his letters for YOU
"She took it from me with the old
eagerness, and as she turned to go into
the house | noticed her pressing it to
her lips. He didn't write very often to
her-every two or three weeks, not
more, while sometimes much longer in
tervals elapsed. 1t used to make me
quite miserable when l noticed her
pleading face as | passed morning after
morning without anything for her.
You are quite sure you have not
got one, postman? p she would ask.
Quite sure, ma'am. The Western
mail is late to-day-not delivered until
Tomorrow was my faltering excuse.
Christmas day arrived, and l had
not delivered letter from the husband
since the middle of October. She no
longer came to the door now. The lit
| tie servant girl told me her mistress
was nearly always i'll. At last / brought
letter from Colorado-on the last day
of the year; and then l delivered one
regularly once or twice week until
February. The lady began to come TO
the door again, looking something like
her former bright self.
THE 14th of February Valentines
/ day-came around, and had a Colora'
do letter for the lady; but it was not in
the husbands handwriting. She came
to the door.
{" Here is valentine, ma'am,' says
cheorily. Il hope it will make you as
happy as the one delivered to you in
Spruce street about five years ago
Thank you, postman, she replied
'and / have got a hot cup of coffee fol
you
"She took the letter, eyed it curious
", and opened it with trembling fingers
l was watching her while slipping my
coilee--a glance at the contents and she
fell back lifeless. The little Irish girl
came up Immediately and we carried
the lady into the parlor and laid her on
the sofa. Then | took up my. mailbag
for of c5urse / could not wait, and con
tinued my delivery. A few doors ava,
lived a doctor, and / told his servant
there was sick lady who required
medical attendance had no letter:
for the cottage the next morning, bu
the little servant rushed out to tell me
the lady was dying, and the letter from
Colorado was from = Police Justice
saving the husband had run away will
n woman to Australia, taking with him
large sum of money he had stoler
from his employers. The letter alsc
said il was supposed, where he wa
working, that the woman who was hi
companion was married to him, until
search among the defaulter's papers
disclosed the existence of wife il
Philadelphia. Before the week hat
closed there was bow of Grape on th'
cottage door, and the doctors certificate
said, died of broken heart Hav,
you got match about you, sir? m,
pipe has gone out" and the postmai
trudged off homeward with his mate
the letter-sorter. er.-Philadelphia Press
SAYS Frenchman: "The Frencl
,,.,,,o,, hova op., nndisputable adyantap,