The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-05-16

patience. There's no such thing these
DAYS; letters now all go one way and
in one time, and that's deal quicker
than they once did. But you run home
now, and if you like you needn't tell
your mother anything about the wait
ing, nor the eggs either I'll put a
stamp on for you and send it as soon as
l can"
The little eyes beamed like stars
through the falling tears. 20, sir, if
YOU would" she cried, 'and when my
hen lays three moro eggs l will be sure
to bring them to you"
She turned quickly to the door, but
pausing there, as if with an unconquer-
able impulse, she looked back, saying
'.And if you please, sir, do make it go
fast, for that's what she said-in haste"
That child has got more heart than
head" thought Mr.. Higgins to himself
as he silently watched her depart with
out making further efforts to explain
mail regulations. He knew the little
customer quite well as the child of
Widow Carson, who had come to the
neighborhood just after the first of those
terrible floods that had sent so many
homeless ones back from the banks of
the treacherous Ohio. 1t was said that
her husband had persisted in the waves
after placing his wife and child in
safety, and here she had lived ever
since in little log cabin not far from
the store, where with her small patch
of corn and potatoes she supported, as
best she could, herself and Jess and the
little yellow dog. But only few days
previous to this, Mr.. Higgins had felt
compelled to refuse her any further
credit, till the bill, slowly frightening on
his big book, was paid up, and it was
doubtless because of this that she had
not sent to him at once to ask the adj
vance of stamp for this all-important
letter.
Meditatively he looked at the en-.
velope, with the address scrawled in SO
tremulous and Impractical hand that
he doubted much whether it would ever
reach its destination, and the words of
Jessie returned to his mind-"She said
if you would read it. you would know
it must go in haste.
1t seemed a sufficient permission to
the kind thought in his heart, and open
ing the awkwardly sealed covering, Mr..
Higgins with difficulty made out the
words written evidently by hand
tremulous with emotion:
Il have Just heard you were seen in
Rockport yesterday. looking for Jess
and me; it seems too good and wonder
full to be true, but / write at once to
say that we are here, and God grant
my letter may reach you in time. l will
write in haste. on it. and / will pray
day and night that He will make it go
quickly, for Jess and are in such need
that unless you come to us soon, / do
not know what will become of us. We
have mourned for you so long as dead
that / can scarcely write now for the
beating of my heart at the thought of
seeing you again"
Though Mr.. Higgins. was often
called rough, cold man, yet there was
certainly strange moisture in his eyes
as he closed the letter. In moment
he had taken in the whole situation.
Jessie's father, then, was not dead as
supposed, but had been separated from
his wife and child on that terrible night,
and had lost sight of them. The sorrow
ing woman had just heard that he had
been seen seeking those who mourned
him; but it was evident that he was not
long to remain at Rockport. What if
this chance of reunion should be lost,
These words, II will pray day and
night that God will make my letter go
quickly" and the wan, anxious face of
little Jess rose together before Mr..
Higgins mind, and with sudden
movement he rose abruptly, saying half
aloud: '.And my name is not Higgins if
it don't 60 quick, quicker even than she
thought!''
Striding from the store and locking
the door behind him, Mr.. Higgins was
seen little latter riding rapidly to the
nearest railroad station.
81 want this telegram sent at once,
he said, handing slip of paper to the
clerk, on which was written.
ITO John Carson, Boatman's Tavern, Rock
sJess and are here; come at once. and in.
quire at the Elkton store for the house.
"MARY CARSON"
Rockport was only hundred miles
away. and Mr.. Huggins cast many an
expectant glance next day along the
road leading from the station. And
sure enough, about half an hour after
the three o'clock train had whistled, a
sun-burnt stranger with eager, anxious
face, came down that road and hurriedly
entered the store.
''Can anyone tell me where Mary
Carson lives?" he asked, nervously. Of
Mr.. Higgins.
Eyes, my friend, and will lead yon
a part of the way myself" answered the
proprietor, promptly, and without losing
a moment the two were soon in sight of
the little log cabin.
That's the house, said Mr.. Higgins,
''you can easily find the rest of the way
alone" and with these words he turned
back, leaving the stranger to hasten
onward.
He heard the little dog give its quick,
yelping bark, and a backward glance
showed him Jessie already at the gate,
and the mother standing with clasped
hands motion laac in tho 1oor xrox. hit