The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-10-26
POSTAGE NOT STATED.
Ey Lille Devereux Blake.

was TAIL, OVerSrOWn, aWkWaTu anu
l6, with y pervading consciousness that
my hands and feet were very large. and
the added MISERY, in the ease of the
former members. that they were always
red, and never knew what to do with
them when in company. was max
ing visit to grandmother delightful,
Old-fashiOned country home. when one
morning the dear old lady called me to
her.
Here is something for you. Jim.
she said, IAN invitation to children )
party at Mrs. Edwards. "
"Ch!liren's party" repeated. prob
ably, with a shade of scorn in my
voice, as indicating that was no long
er to be placed in that Juvenile category.
mot children exactly corrected
dignity. Young PEOPLE. should have
SAID. Mrs Edwards daughter Florence
is ii, aud Tom Byrne and all the boys
young men. l should say" with u
twinkle of amusement. twill be there. y
had sundry misgivings that should
not enjoy the party at all. being as yet
very much afraid OF girls. though be-
gin;ng to admire them rs mysterious
and fascinating beings. However. /
accepted the invitation. as found that
all the boys knew were going, and
the party was to be quite swell
affair for the village.
When the evening came it found me
with the rest, seated in large parlor,
very unhappy because of my arms and
hands. which would, BY 40 means ar
range themselves IN any graceful or
becoming manner, AID extremely BASH
full. but full of admiration for y lovely
black eyed girl about y year younger
than myself. whom knew to be Tom
Byrne's sister.
She sat some distance from me, but
she had given me y sweet smile when |
first came in. and now from time 70
time would east g!ances ut me which
increased ri once my bliss and my con
IuS.On.
Various games were suggested and
PLAYED. but tnev we're of Il quiet charac-
Ter. such rs Twenty Questions. PRO.
verbs e.c.. So that had no oppor-
luni;y Of approaching any nearer to
Mabel. who showed herself very bril-.
liant in her questions and answers dur
ing the progress OF these intellectual
amu-rEcniS
Then somebody suggested that we
sh" nv PastOflice.
..Postoflice! what is that? how do
you play ii?' whispered to Tom
Bvrne. my next neighhor.
Don't You know how to play Post
oflice?' he asked with scOrn of my
ignorance. Oh, well. suppose you
AZ III
Il never heard of this" | assented
meeklv.
well, I'll tell you how it is; a girl
asks for a letter for some boy. and then
Won have to ask her how much postage,
and if she says one cent. you must kiss
her once
"Oh!' said I.
YES" replied Tom. "and you kiss
her twice for two cents. and three times
for three cents. It's quite fun if it is a
pretty girl" he added judiciously.
"lsnppose so," replied vaguely.
But / forgot to tell YOU" he added,
''if she says postage not stated then
You kiss her rs often rs you like. Hush!
they are going 10 begin.
TO be sure, one of the oldest boys
was appointed Postmaster, and one girl
after another went out into the entry,
each presently knocking at The door
asking for y letter. wherein the boy
called for sheepishly followed her into
the hall, and TO Judge from the sounds
Of screaming and scufll.ng which gener-
ally followed. paid his postage under
considerable difficulties.
watched the game in a stale of be-
wildered alarm. What if u girl should
cali on me! But no one did and ! was
half disappo: nted. half relieved that |
was exempt. when III last IL was Mabel
Byrne's turn to 20 out.
She left the room with lovely blush
on her beautiful face. The door was
soleinnlv closed upon her, and then af-
ter u brief pause there was faint knock.
The Postmaster opened the door u few
inches.
What do you wantP" he asked.
"There is = letter here" she replied.
'FOr whOm?"
"For MIR. james Hill"
elbow much pav?"
Postage not stated" wss the faint
reply.
They oil laughed loudly and looked
at me, for that was my name. The
blood rushed in crimson Hoods to my
face. got on my feet somehow, and
with my heart torn between wild de-
sire to go into that hall and u wish to
sink utterly away from human kind. l
stumb ed out of the room.
The door was closed behind me and l
found myself almost in darkness. as the
hall was but dimly lighted. | paused
moment and then heard the faint sound
of quick breathing; another heart was
beating as violently rs my own. For
once in my life l knew what to do with
my arms. ! caught hold OF her. j
scarcely know how. The darkness gave
me courage and held her in close
clasp, and pressed my lips to her cheek
in three or four rapid, halt-frighiened
kisses. before she could free herself from
my embrace.
"TIere. there! Mr.. HILL" she said
with faint merry laugh. don't be so
bashful again. I'm sure you are bold
enough now!'
"lIave l paid my POSTAGE | stam-
lnered.
"lndeed yes; enough and to spare.
Come let us 60 back TO the parlor."
She led me in, willing prisoner. and
the rest OF the evening ! was her bond
slave; her partner in all games. her
companion in the dance (wnerein l eX-
celled ,ae country boys, and gl0ried IN
my accomplishment, and. ct last.