The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-09-20
THE POSTMAN'S STORY.
Philadelphia Press.

on Spruce street The locality was good
deal more fashionable then than now. aud
some very high toned folks lived there. We
won't mention no names, nor give no num-
bers but the particular young lady I'm going
to tell you about lived just above Tenth street
| had pretty big load, and was not in tho
best of tempers with my work, hut when
beautiful young lady opened the door herself
in her eagcrness to get the large envelope,
which was addressed to her, and smiled her
thanks at me, felt different man. Nor did
feel the worse after the hot cup of coffee,
which servant girl had ready for mo, as in
structed by the young lady, for it was bitter
raw morning, and the bullet wound in tho
right shoulder which got at the second battle
of Bull Run, was twitching pretty bad Now
postman can't help noticing his letters bit
Everybody hasn't got letter-boxcs TO drop ON
in--of course l am referring to routes OF
private houses-and you are often kept wait
ing q half minute or 80 at the door. The
things have read on postal cards are eau
ton, can tell you. A postman learns good
deal accidentally about other peoples affairs
but to come back to the young lady.
a took an interest in her fronrthat 18th day
OF February, and generally glanced at her en-
velopes She got IL good many but nearly all
we're in ladies' handwriting; letters from girl
friends, and invitations to balls and receptions,
and such like, guess The exceptions were
letters in bold, masculine handwriting, all
written by the same man; there was no doubt
about that At frat | brought them once
week, and then, after little while, every day,
and sometimes twice day. She often took
them III herself and | always felt happy for
rest of the day. Her bright smile sort of
went through me. Once or twice received
q letter from her to post to him, was sure,
not that she told me so, but could tell it was
by the way she blushcd when she handed
them to me / looked at the address and
name 1t was broker on Third street On
the June following the Valentines day the
family went away, and did not return from
out OF town until October, but l did not sec
the young lady, nor did have any letters for
her. Hasn't she returned YETI asked the
colored waiter. 'Oh, no, she won't be here
till Christmas She is now on the "contin-
ong" with her husband. They were married
at Newport in August oh, says l. And |
thought no more of the matter; events had
taken their natural course by ending in mar
rage, as all properly regulated love letters
ought 10 40.
aShe came back with her husband at Christ
mas. and began housekeeping in the same
square az her family, 80 delivered her letters.
She saw me on New Years day. and did not
forget me, either What she gave me was
sufficient to bny my wife warm cloak for
the winter with enough left over for pair of
shoes for the baby, The newly married
couple had heapot letters of all sorts, kinds
and descriptions. Invitations III any number
for both OF them, and plenty of female cores
pOndence for her. He seemed to get letters
from all parts of the world; between them
they had more than the rest of the square put
together. There seemed to be some change
by April. The envelopes of the letters had the
names of store keepers on them, and doubtless
contained bills The following month similar
letters came very thckly indeed, and so did
letters with the names of lawyers on the up
per RICH hand corner Of the envelopes. He
seemed to be always at home, for he often
came to the door himself and took the letters
from me, as if anxious for the servants not
to see them A good looking man he was,
with proud manner and dissipated face.
awe are going away tomorrow said the
colored servant one morning, as l handed him
the customary batch.
Out of town. ! asked.
s'Out of dis town, guess he replied, with
grin The sheriifs officers are in the
house
aWhen was delivering the letters tho next
day, hack drove up TO the door, and lln-
gered moment out of curiosity The lady
came down leaning on her husDands arm,
looking so miserable and altered hardly recog-
nizcI her She must have noticed the exptcss-
ion on my face, for she nodded to rlc and
smiled; but such ghost of smile, \ few
DAYS afterward the things i'll 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
in thn pf |
put on route in Germantown. / was not
very well. and thought the country walking
would do me good, so | changed routes, with
a comrade who worked, as said, in German
town. Sorting ont my letters, as served
one of the pretty leIfy avenues, l came
across one addressed to the old familiar name,
Mrs -, and in the husbands handwriting.
The postmark was Colorado so he WAS away;
hat was evident She was setting on the
porch of pretty little cottage, with n child in
her arms. 1t was easy to see she was no
longer rich. The dresses of herself and child,
and the smallness and dirtness of the Irish
servant maid, who was cleaning a parlor
window, denoted the fact at u glance; but she
did not look unhappy, and she knew me at
once
@'Why, postmau,' she exclaimed, IS it
possible it can be you?'
Yes, ma'am, says, 1T is; thanking you
kindly for remembering me, and here is one
of his letters for you.
SShe took it from me with the old eagcrness,
and as she turned to so into the house no
ticed her pressing it TO her lips. lie didn't
write very often to her-evory two or three
weeks, not more, while sometimes much longer
intervals elapsed. 1t used to make me quite
miserable when | noticed her pleading face as
| passed morning after morning without any
thing for her
"You are quite sure you have not got one,
postman?' she would ask.
"'Quite sure. ma'am. Tho western mail is
late tO-day-not delivered till tomorrow, was
my faltering excuse.
~Christmas day arrived, and | had not de-
livered letter from the husband since the
middle of October. She no longer came to the
door now. The little servant girl told me her
mistress was nearly always ILL At last |
brought a letter from Colorado-on tho last
day of the year; and then delivered one reg
ularly once or twice week, until February.
The lady began to come to the door again,
looking something like her former bright self.
"The 18th of DEMONSTRATING day
came around, and had a Colorado letter for
the lady; but it was not III the husbands
handwriting. She came TO the door
Here is valentine, ma'am,' says !, cheer
lily. Il hope it will make you as happy as tho
one delivered TO You in Spruce street about
five years ago
"'rhank You, postman,' she replied, and
/ have got hot cup of coffee for You.
"She took the letter, eyed it curiously and
opened it with trembling fingers | was
Watching her while slipping my coffee--a
glance at the contents, and she fell back life
less. Tho little Irish girl came up immedi-
ately, and between us we carried the lady
into the parlor, and laid her on the sofa.
Then | took up my mail bag, for Of
course l could not wait, and continued my de-
livery A few houses away lived a doctor, and
l told his servant there was a sick lady who re-
qured medical aid | had no letters for the
cottage the next morning, but the little servant
rushed out to tell me the lady was dying, and
fine letter from Colorado was from q police