The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-12-11
Selert Story.
THE PoSTMAN'S STORY.

"As ] was saying, II was valentine
day, 1872. My route was from 7th tt
l2h street on Spruce. The locality wa
good deal more fashionable then tha
now, and some very high toned folk
lived there. We won't mention n,
names nor give no numbers, but the par
ticular young lady I'm going to tell 20,
about lived just above 10th street.
had a pretty big load and was not in til
he,t of temper with my wo k, but whel
beautiful young lady opened the doc
herself in her esgerness to get the larg
envelope which was ldressed to her, ,ant
smiling her thanks at me, felta differ
ent man. Nor did feel the worse afte
the hot cup of coffee, which the servan
had ready for me as instructed by th
young lady, for it was bitter cole
morning, and the bullet wound in th'
shoulder, which l got at the second bat
tie Of Bull Run, was twitcbing pretty
bad. Now, postman can't help motto
ing his letters bit. Every body hasn
got lelter-boxes to. drop 'em mo
course I am referring TO routes OF pr
vate hooses-and you are often KEEP
waiting half minute -or so at the door
The things l have read on postal caro-
are caution, can tell you. A postmar
learns a good deal accidentally about
other peoples sffairs--but 70 come bach
to the young lady
took an interest in her from thai
14,h day of February, and generally
glanced at her envelopes. Sue got 9
good many, but nearly all were in ladies'
writing; letters from girl friends
and invitations to balls and receptions,
and such like, l guess. The exceptions
were letters in bold, masculine hand.
writing, all written by The same man
there was no doubt Of that. At first ]
brought them once week, and then, af-
Ter awhile, every day, and sometimes
twice a day. She often tool them in
herself. and l ALWAYS felt happy for the
rest of the day. Her bright emile sort
of went through me Once or twice
received letter from her TO post to him,
was sure; not that she told ne so. bu,
could tell it was by the way she blush.
ed when she handed them to me. | look
ed at the addMss and the meme. 1t was
q broker on Third street. Or the June
following the Valentines day the ia nily
went away. and did not return from on,
of town until October, but I did not see
The young lady Eor did have any letters
for her. Hasn't she returned yetT !
asked the colored waiter. 'Oh. no; she
won't be here till Christmas. She is now
on the continent with her husband.
They were married at Newport in Au
gust 'Oa,' says I, and thought no
more of the matter; events bad taken
their nature! course by ending in marri-
age,ss all properly regulated love letters
ought to do.
'.She came back with her husband at
Christmas and began housekeeping in
the same square IS her family, so de.
livered her letters. She saw me on New
Years day and did not forget me, either.
What she gave me was s.sufficient to buy
nv wife warm cloak for The winter,
with enough left over for pair OF shoes
for the baby. The newly married couple
had heap OF letters of all sorts, kinds
and descriptions. Invitations in any
number for both of. them, and plenty OF
female correspondence for her. He SEEM
ed to get letters from all parts OF the
world; between them they had more
tnan therest Of the square put together.
There seemed to he some change bv
April. The envelopes had the names of
slore-keepers on them and doubtless
contained bills. The following month
similar letters came very tbickly indeed,
and so did letters with the names OF law
yers on the upper left-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
IL anxious for the servants not to see
them. A good looking man he was,with
a proud and dssipated face.
"We are going away tomorrow
said the colored servant one morning as
handed him the ordinary batch.
".Ont of town, asked.
".Out Of dis town, guess, he replied
with a grin. The sherlff's officers are
in TIE house,
"When | was delivering the letters
The next dav, hsck drove up to the
door, and | fingered moment out OF
curiosity. The lady came down leaning
on her husbands arm, looking so mis-.
erable aud altered ! hardly recognized
her. She must have noticed the express
sion on my face for 'she nodded to me
and smiled; but such ghost OF smile.
A few days atterward the things in the
house were sold ny auction, and new
people came to live there; aud soon,