The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-10-18
POSTAGE NOT STATED.
By Lille Devereux Blake.


was tall, overgrown, awkward and
16, with a 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. l 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, Fan invitation to a children S
party at Mrs Edwards. -
''Children's party" repeated, prob,
ably, with shade of scorn in my
voice, as indicating that l was no long
er to be placed in that juvenile category.
mot children exactly" corrected
grandma, with smile at my masculine
dignity. Young people, should have
said. Mrs Edwards daughter Florence
is IA, and Tom Byrne and all the boys
young men, 1 should say" with &
twinkle of amusement, Twill be there. u
l had sundry misgivings that l should
not enjoy the party at all, being as YET
very much afraid of girls, though be.
and fascinating beings. However,
accepted the invitation, as l found thai
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 no means ar
range themselves in any graceful OF
becoming manner, and extremely bash
full, but full of admiration for lovely
black eyed girl about year younger
than myself, whom | knew to be Ton
Byrne's sister.
She sat some distance from me, but
she had given me sweet smile when
first came in, and now from time te
time would cast glances at me which
increased at once my bliss and my con
fusion.
Various games were suggested and
played, but they were of quiet charac
ter, such as Twenty Questions, PRO
VERBS" etc., so that 1 had no oppor.
tunity of approaching any nearer to
Mabel, who showed herself very bril-
liant in her questions and answers dur
ahf, viz PioSAOSS VA ShCSO AhtOlACCbua
amusements.
Then somebody suggested that we
should play Postoffice.
'.Postoffice! what is that? how d.
you play it?" 1 whispered to Ton
Byrne, my next neighbor.
Don't you know how to play Post
Officer" he asked with scorn of m.
ignorance. '.Oh, well, l suppose you
city fellows don't know anything"
II never heard of this" l assentet
meekly.
well, I'll tell you how it is; cir
asks for a letter for some boy, and thel
YOU have to ask her how much postage
and if she says one cent, you must kis
her once
"Ohw said !.
YES" replied Tom, sand you kis
her twice for two cents, and three time
for three cents It's quite fun if it is
pretty GIRL" he added judiciously.
Il suppose so," l replied vaguely.
''But L forgot to tell you," he added
''if she says postage not stated the
you kiss her as often rs you like. Hush
they are going to begin"
TO be sure, one of the oldest boy
was appointed Postmaster. and one gil
after another went out into the entry
each presently knocking at the doc
asking for q letter, whereon the bo
called for sheepishly followed her int
the hall, and to Judge from the sound
of screaming and scuffling which genel
ally followed, paid his postage unde
considerable difficulties.
watched the game in state of b.
wildered alarm. What if girl shoul
call on me! But no one did and I WI
half disappointed, half relieved that
was, exempt. when at last it was Mabt
| Byrne's turn to 60 out.
She left the room with a lovely blus
on her beautiful face. The door W;
solemnly closed upon her, and then a
ter brief pause there was faint knocI
The Postmaster opened the door a fe
inches.
'.What do you want?" he asked.
'.There is letter here" she replies
"For whom?"
''For Mr.. James Hill"
'.How much payP"
Postage not stated" was the fail
reply.
They all laughed loudly and look'
at me, fol- that was my name. III
blood rushed in crimson floods to II
face. ] got GU my feet somehow, Al
with my heart torn between a wild
sire to go into that hail and a wish
sink utterly away from human kind,
stumbled out of the room.
The door was closed behind me and
found myself almost in darkness. as t
hall was but dimly lighted. paused
moment and then heard the faint SOU
of quick breathing; another heart W
beating as violently as my own. +
once in my life l knew what to do wi
my arms. l caught hold of her.
scarcely know how. The darkness ga
me courage and held her in clo
clasp, and pressed my lips to her chez
in three or four rapid, half-frighten
kisses, before she could free herself frc
my embrace.
There, there! Mr.. HILL" she IS
with faint merry laugh, don't be
bashful again. Pm sure you are be
enough now!''
.'Have paid my postage9" l sta
a mered.
4 ''Indeed yes; enough and to spa
Come let US go back to the parlor."
She led me in, n willing prisoner, a
: the rest of the evening l was her bo
slave; her partner in all games, !
companion in the dance (wherein l
;, celled the country boys. and gloried
my accomplishment, and, at la
crowning delight OF the evening,
escort home.