Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-21
Postage not Stated,

hands and feet were very large, and the
added mystery, in the case of the for
mer members, that they were always
red, and never knew what to do with
them in company was making visit
at grandmother delightful, old-fash'
ioned country home, when one morning
the dear old lady called me to her.
"Here is something for you, Jim, she
said; IAN invitation to children'S
party at Mrs. Edwards
"Children's party" repeated, pro.
badly with shade Of scorn in my voice,
as indicating that was no longer to be
placed in that juvenile category.
Not children exactly" corrected
grandmother, with a smile at my mascu.
line dignity. Young people, should
have said. Mrs. Edwards daughter
Florence is fourteen, and Tom Byrne
and all the boys-young men, should
say" with a twinkle of amusement,
"will be there
| had sundry msgivings that should
not enjoy the party at all, being as yet
very much afraid of girls, though be
ginning to admire them as mysterious
and fascinating beings. However, | &C
cepted the invitation, as | 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 large parlor,
very unhappy because OF my arms and
hands. which would by no means ar
range themselves in any graceful or be-
coming manner, and extremely bashful,
but full of admiration for lovely black.
eyed girl, about year younger than
myself, whom knew to be Tom Byrne's
sister.
She sat some distance from me. but
she had given me q sweet smile when
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 charac.
ter, such as Twenty Questions, PRO
verbs etc, 80 that had no opportu
nifty of approaching any nearer to Mabel
who showed herself very brilliant in her
questions and answers during the pro.
gress Of these intellectual amusements
Then somebody suggested that we
should play "post Office"
POST Office! What is that? How
do you play it2' | whispered to Tom
Byrne, my next neighbor.
Don't you know how to play poet
office? ?" he asked, with a scorn at my
ignorance. "0h, we'll, suppose you
city fellows don't know ANYTHING
81 never heard Of this," I assented
meekly.
"Well, I'll tell you how it Is: A girl
asks for letter for some boy, and then
you have to ask how much postage, and
il she says one cent you have to kiss
her once"
"Oh |" said I.
"Yes," said Tom, "and you kiss her
twice for two cents, and three times for
three cents. It's quite fun il lisa
pretty GIRL" he added judiciously.
"T suppose So" | replied vaguely.
"But forgot to tell you," he added.
"if she says postage not stated, then
you kiss her as often IS you like. Hush !
they are going to begin"
To be sure one of the oldest boys was
appointed postmaster, and one gir! after
another went out into the entry, each
presently knocking at the door, asking
for letlre, whereon the boy called for
sheepishly followed her into the hall,
and to Judge from the sounds Of scream.
ing and scufflng which generally fol.
lowed, paid his postage under consider
able difficulties.
watched the game in state Of be.
Wildered alarm. What il girl should
call for me But no one did, and was
half disappointed, half relieved, that I
was exempt, when at last il 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 a faint
knock. The postmaster opened the
door few inches.
"What do ycu want2' he asked.
"There is letter here" she replied.
"For whom2''
''For Mr. James HILL"
SHOW much to pay r
postage not stated was the faint
reply.