The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-05-16
IN HASTE.
An Important Letter, Three Bro
ken Eggs and a Telegram.


and half cents dozen, that Mr..
Higgins. the proprietor of the little
country store at Elkton. sat at his high
desk one dreary afternoon, with his
head studiously bent over his book,
making out an account of sales.
please SIR" suddenly interrupted q
thin, small voice proceeding from the
space in front of the desk, twill you
give me a stamp for these three eggs,
and you needn't mind the change.
Mr.. Higgins slowly lifted his eyes
from the big book, to look for the small
speaker below them.
II was mite of girl, not more than
six years old, who held letter in one
hand and with the other tightly grasped
her apron gathered together for the
safe keeping of three eggs lying within.
Mr.. Higgins senses had been SO alb
sorbed in the difficulties of his long sum
in addition, that it was several moments
before he could recall them and bring
them down to level with the little
head lifting itself eagerly up to him;
but reaching out his hand mechanically,
he took the letter, and supposing he
would Immediately take the eggs also,
the little girl incautiously opened her
apron, when, alas, with pip! pip! pip!
as though they were kissing each other a
hasty good-by, out rolled the eggs,
and with smash! smash! smash!
lay on the floor, medley of gold and
silver, and ivory shells!
For one moment the poor little mes
senger stood silent with dismay. and
then lifting her distressed face to that of
Mr.. Higgins. she burst into wall so
pitiful that the heart of the store-keeper
vast ouched with compassion.
''Why, what on earth did you open
your apron for, little gal?" said he, by
way of soothing her.
ITO jet you-get - the eggs"
sobbed the child. Il thought you were
going to take them
"And SO Iwas," he answered, ..but
you ought not to have let go your grip
till had hold of them. Well, well,
they won't hatch now, that's certain"
he continued, with touch of philoso-
ply in his tone, % but there's no
more use crying over smashed eggs
than over split milk; you ought to be
glad there are so few of them; and
what were you asking me to do with
them?"
ITO give me stamp. please, sir.
But oh, what will mother do now! Her
letter can't go and she said it was to
start at once and go in haste!'
The sobs grew louder as the little girl
seemed to realize more and more the
extent of the disaster.
ITO go in haste. repeated Mr.. Hug
gins, with smile of superior knowl-
edge. Eyes, see, she has written on
it in haste, in haste Well, that might
have done some good. perhaps, fifty
years ago, when letters were carried
about the country on horseback; Idoubt
II it will hurry up the steam cars very
much. But for mercy sake, little gal,
do stop crying!" he calculated sudden
ly as the deepening sobs smote his
heart anew and brought him back to
the business on hand. Didn't l tell
you there's no use crying over smashed
eggs! So, look up now and tell me what
Is the great haste about this particular
letter."
20. don't know 'zackly. SIR" an
swered the child, tearfully, .'but know
it is something very particular indeed,
and will break mothers heart most to
know 1t hasn't gone. You see, she had
been over to Miss Riley's and she come
back with the tears all running down
her cheeks, and she hunted round till
she found this paper and q pencil. and
wrote the letter with her hand all in
tremble. But after it was all done up,
she just remembered that she hadn't q
stamp. and l ran as fast as could to
Miss Riley's, but she hadn't one, nor
any money either, and mother Just sank
down and cried as if her heart would
break, and then, sir-wasn't it lucky
l knew a stamp cost three cents, and
just thought Of my old hen. Buff, who
was laying eggs that / wanted so to
hatch, and there was just three in the
nest, but couldn't see mother cry so.
and / ran out and brought them In to
her, and she was so caldwell. 1 wish
you could have seen her-and she said:
Thank God for the eggs, Jess, and run
as fast as you can, for this letter must
60 in haste. in haste, that's just what
she said-but oh, the eggs are all broken
now. and what will mother do!''
The long story came to an abrupt end
with fresh wall of grief.
We'll. don't take it SO to heart,
child. said Mr.. Higgins with his gruff
kindliness. There's no great harm
done; the letter can't go till tomorrow
any how, for the mail has been gone
these three hours"
Tomorrow repeated the little girl
In dismay. 20, sir, mother won't sleep
. wink tonight if she knows that; she
said . day might make it too late, and
that If you would read it. you would
know it must 90 in haste.
but that's Ill nonsense, child"
ssid Mr., higgins, beginning to lose