Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-10-27
POSTAGE NOT STATED.

I was tall, overgrown, awkward and
sixteen, with q 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. Twas making n
visit at grandmother's delightful, old
fashioned country home, when one morn
ing the dear old lady called me to her.
"IIcre is something for you, Jim," she
said, San invitation to a children's party
ut Mrs. Edwards"
"Children's party ?" repeated, probably,
with shade of scorn in my voice, as in
dicatng that was no longer to be placed
in that Juvenile category.
"Not children exactly" corrected
grandma, with a smile at my masculine
dignity. "Young people, should have
said. Mrs. Edwards daughter Florence
is fourteen, and Tom Byrne and AL the
boys-young men, should say" with a
twinkle of amusement-"will be there"
had sundry misgivings that | should
not enjoy the party at all, being rs yet
very much afraid Of girls, though begin
ming to admire them as mysterious and
fascinating beings. However, L accepted
the invitation, rs l found that all the boys
| knew were going, and the party was to
be quite "swell" affair Tor 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 arrange
themselves in any graceful or becoming
manner, and extremely bashful, but full
of admiration for a lovely black-eyed girl
about year younger than myself, whom
l knew to be Tom Byrne's sister.
She sat some distance from me, but she
had given me II sweet smile when l first
came in, and now from time to time cast
glances at me which increased at once my
bliss and my confusion.
Various games were suggested and
played, but they were of quiet character,
such as "Twcnty Questions" "Prov-
erbs," etc., so that had no opportunity
of approaching any nearer to Mabel, who
showed herself very brilliant in her ques-
tions and answers during the progress Of
these intellectual amusements.
Then somebody suggested that we play
post-oflicc.
,I,aN T. Nt,ot0 Intt Il r-ntt
play 2" whispered to Tom Byrne, my
next neighbor.
"Don't you know how to play post
oilice?" he asked, with scorn of my ig-
norance. "Oh, well, suppose you city
fellows don't know anything"
81 never heard of this" assented,
meekly. .
"wcll, I'll tell you how it is; a girl
asks for letter for some 10y, and then
you have to ask her how much postage,
and if she says one cent, you must kiss
her once"
"Oh" said I.
eyes," replied Tom, "and you kiss her
IWlCc LOT lNO CclIIS, anu Ihlcc timSS ioi
three cents. It's quite fun if it is pretty
girl" he added, judiciOusly.
81 suppose So" replied, vaguely.
"But l 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 boys was
appointed postmaster, and one girl after
another went out into the entry, each
presently knocking at the door, asking for
a letter, whereupon the boy called for
shecpishly followed her into the hall, and
to Judge from the sounds Of screaming ald
scuffling which generally followed, paid
his postage under considerable difficulty.
1 watched the game in state of bewil-
dercd alarm. What if a girl should call
on me. But no one did, and was half
disappointed, half relieved, that was ex-
empt, when ut last it was Mabel Byrne's
turn to 60 out.
She left the room with lovely blush
on her beautiful face. The door was SOL
elmnly closed upon Eer, and then after
A. 81. ca, lnn..l- IT,.