The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-11-15
POSTAGE NOT STATED

-'fa f~kssusb& A1tsSs~n"s'"s stf-' "a
banda and feat ssrs very large. and q
eddsd misery in the esss of ths form'
mem beD that tbey ssrs slvsys rel. ~
l never knew shst 10 do 9th tLem whs
10 company. | sss making visit ,
snndmo.hsr's delightful. old.fAsLione
county home. when one morning the de'
old lady called me 10 her
Here is something for you. jim Oh
said. ian invitation 70 . childrens' part
st Mrs Edwards
"Children's party" repeated probi
bly, With shade Of soorn in my voice. !
indicating that vas. no longer to b
placed In that juvenile category.
Net children exactly. corrected Grand
ma, with smile st my masculine dignity
Young people, ] should have said. Mn
Edwards daughter Florence Ia IA. an
Tom Byrne aod all tha hays--ynnns men
! should say" With . twinkle on smuse
rnent, will he there"
had sundry misgivings that shoul,
not enjoy the party at all. being a. ye
very much afraid OF girls. though begin
Mug to sdmirs them ss mysterious AMI
fascinating beings. However. l accepte,
the invitation. ~ found that all the boy,
] knew were going. and the party was Il
be quite 'swell" affair for tho 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 no means arrange them
selves in any graceful or becoming man.
nor. and extremely bashiul, but full Of
admiration for lovely girl about . year
younger thsa myself. whom knew TO be
Tom Byrnc's sister.
She sat some distance from me. but she
had given me asweet smile when first
came in. aud now from time TO timo cast
glances at me, which increased at once my
bliss and my confusion.
Various games wers suggested and
played. but they were OF quiet character,
such s Twenty Questions, Proverbs, :"
etc.. SO that had no opportunity OF ap.
preaching any nearer to Matel, who
showed herself very brilliant in her ques.
tions and answers during the progress OF
these intellectual games.
Then somebody suggested that we
should play postofice.
''Postofiice? What is that? How do you
play it9' l whispered to Tom Byrne, my
next neighbor. FN
Don't you know how to play postof.
ice?" lie asked with scorn at my igno-
rance. "Oh, we'll, suppose you city
fellows don't know anything"
Il never heard Of this" assented
neekly. n
"Weii. I'll tell you how lis; 8 girl asks
Tor letter from some boy. and then you
have to ask her how much postage. and il
The says one cent you must kiss her once
"Oh!" said l.
"Yes." replied Tom. land you kiss her
twice for two cents, and three times for
three cents. It's quite fun II il il pref :
GIRL" he added judicislly.
II 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. Hushl
they arc going to begin.
To be sure one OF the oldest boys WAS
appointed Postmaster, and one girl after
another went cut into the entry. zach
presently knocking at the door antl asking
Tor letter, whsreon tho boy called on
followed her into the hsll, and
10 Judge from the sounds Of laughter and
aud scuffiing which generally
followed. paid his postage under cons ider-
able difficulties.
watched the game in state Of be viii
dered alarm. What ia girl should ell
On me! But no one did. and l was b, II
half relieved that WAS ea
smp.. when at last 1t was Mabel Byrne'S
turn TO go out.
She left the room with lovely blush on
her beautiful face. The door was solemn
y closed upon her aud then after brief
pause there was faint knock. The post
mater opened the door few inches.
What do you want?" he asked.
There is letter here" she repliet |.
For whomy"
For Mr.. James Hill"
How much to pay'"
Postage not stated. was the faint re-
'ly. @F N8TT N@tfI
They all laughed loudly and looked at
ne. TOR that WAS my name. The bio cd
ushsd in crimson floods to my face. II
,ot on TO my feet somehow, and with m y
leart torn between wild desire to go int 0
hAt hall and wish TO sink utterly ava
rom human kind. / stumbled out OF th )
oom.
The door was closed behind mo. and /
ound myself almost in darkness, rs tho
Dom was dimly lighted. ! paused : mo- /
nent and then heard the faint sou MI OF
Iuick breathing. another heart was beat.
ng - violently = my own. For once ia
~ life l knew what to do With my arms.
caught hold Of her. ! scarcely knew
'ov. The darkness gave me cour age and
held her ina : close clasp. aud pressed my
ips 10 hers 10 tbrce or four rapid. hall
frightened kisses before she could free
'srsslf from my embrace.
There, thsrsl Mr.. Hill. she said with !
faint. marry laugh. "Don't be 30 bash
ul again. Tn sure you're bold enough |
Iow.r
"Hsvs ! pm my postAssf' / STAN
aered.
Indeed. yes; enough aDd 10 spare.
,ornc. Jet ne go back " tho psrlor."