The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-10-19
POSTAGE NOT STATED.

was tall, overgrown. awkward and
sixteen, with pervading consciousness
that my hands and feet were very large,
and the added misery, in the case of the
former members, that they were always
red. and / never knew what to do with
them when in company. was max
ing a visiting at grandmother delight
ful, 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 a Nchildren's
party at Mrs. Edwards"
''Children's party" repeated. prob
ably, with shade of scorn in my voice,
as indicating that l was no longer
to be placed in that Juvenile category.
mot children exactly" corrected
grandma, with a smile at my masculine
dignity. "Young people, should have
said. Mrs. Edwards daughter Flor
ence is fourteen, and Tom Byrne and
all the boys-young men, l should say"
with twinkle of amusement-"willb be
there"
had sundry misgivings that should
not enjoy the party at all, being as vet
very much afraid of girls, though be-
ginning to admire them as mysterious
and fascinating beings. However, l
accepted the invitation, as l found that
all the boys [ knew were going, and
the party was to be quite stswelr'' af-
fair for the village.
When the evening came it found me
with the rest, seated in a large parlor,
very unhappy because of my arms and
hands, which would by no means ar
range themselves in any graceful or
becoming manner. and extremely bash
full, but full OF admiration for a lovely
black-eyed girl about year younger
than myself, whom knew to be Tom
Byrne's ster.
She sat some distance from me, but
she had given me 4 sweet smile when
first came in, and now from time to
time cast chances st me which in
creased at once my bliss and my con-
fusion.
Various games were suggested and
played, but they were of quiet char
acter. such as :. Twenty Questions,
s. Proverbs" ETC., SO that had no op-
portunity OF approaching any nearer to
Mabel, who showed herself very brill
liant in her questions and answers dur.
ing the progress of these intellectual
amusements.
Then somebody suggested that we
should play post-office.
"Post-officei what is that? how do
you play it?' 1 whispered to Tom
b. rne, my next peighbor
Don't you know how to play post
Officer" he asked, with scorn of nv
ignorance. "Oh. well l suppose YOU
city fellowsdon't know anything"
- never heard of this" l assented,
meekly
We'll, I'll tell you how it is; a girl
asks for letter for some boy, and then
You have to ask her how much postage,
and if she says one cent, you must Kiss
her once"
"0hi'' said L.
Yes" replied Tom, "and you kiss
her twice for two cents, and three times
for three GENTS It's quite fun if it is q
pretty girl" he added. judiciously.
suppose So" replied, vaguely.
But forgot to tell you," he added,
" If she says postage not stated then
you kiss her as often as you like Hush!
they are going to begin"
To be sure, one of the oldest bows
was appointed postmaster, and one girl
after another went out into the entry.
each presently knocking at the door,
asking for letter, wherein the boy
called for sheepishly followed her into
the hall, and to judge from the sounds
OF screaming and scuffling which gen.
orally followed. paid his postage under
considerable difficulty.
watched the game in state of be
wildered alarm. What if a girl should
call on me! But no one did, and 1 was
half disappointed, half relieved, that
was exempt, when at last it was Mabel
Byrne's turn to go out.
She left the room with lovely blush
on her beautiful face. The door was
solemnly closed upon her, and then
after a brief pause there was faint
knock. The Postmaster opened the
door few inches.
"What do you want?" he asked