The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-02-28
IN HASTE.
An Important Letter, Three Bro
ken Eggs and a Telegram.

and half cents a 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
thin. small voice proceeding from the
space in front Of the desk, Twill you
give me 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
oorbed in the difficulties of his long sum
in addition, that it was several moments
before he could recall them and bring
shem 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 a pip! pip! pip!
as though they were kissing each other
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
eenger stood silent with dismay, and
then lifting her distressed face to that of
MIR. Higgins, she burst into wall so
pitiful that the heart of the store-keeper
vast ouched with compassion.
'sWhy, what on earth did you open
your apron for, little gal?n said he, by
way of soothing her.
ITO let you-get - the eggs
sobbed the child. Il thought you We're
going to take them.
"And so was, " 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
khemp"
ITO give me stamp, please, sir.
But oh, what will mother do now! Her
letter can't 20 and she said it was to
start at once and 60 in haster'
The sobs grew louder as the little girl
seemed to realize more and more the
extent of the disaster
s'To go in haste.' repeated Mr. Hug
Ult Ia nf
edge. Eyes, / see, she has written on
it in haste, in haste Well, that might
have done some coed, perhaps, fifty
years ago, when letters were carried
about the country on horseback; doubt
II it will hurry up the steam cars very
much. But for mercy sake, little gal,
do stop crying!" he calculated sudden
~ as the deepening sobs smote his
heart anew and brought him back to
the business on hand. Didn't 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
letterP''
20, don't know zackly, sill" an
swered the child, tearfully, ''but know
1t is something very particular indeed,
and will break mothers heart a. most to
know it 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 pencil, and
wrote the letter with her hand all in a
fremble. But after it was all done up,
she just remembered that she hadn't a
stamp. and l ran as fast as l 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
] knew a stamp cost three cents, and
just thought Of my old hen, Buff, who
was laying eggs that l wanted SO to
hatch, and there was just three in the
nest, but l couldn't see mother cry so
and l ran out and brought them in to
her, and she was so CALDWELL, l wish
you could have seen her-and she said:
4Thank God for the eggs, Jess. and run
as fast as you can, for this letter must
go in haste, in haste, that's just what
she said-but oh, the eggs are all broken
now. and what will mother dor
The long story came to an abrupt end
with Q fresh wall of grief.
We'll, don't take it so to heart,
child, said Mr. Higgins with his gruff
kindness. 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
a 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 all nonsense. child"
said Mr.. Higgins. beginning to lose
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 q
stamp on for you and send it as soon as
/ can"
The little eyes beamed like stars
through the falling tears. 20, sir, II
you wouldv' she cried, s.and when my
hen lays three more eggs 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
s.And il You please, sir, do make it "a
fast, for that's what she said LIN haste y
THAT child has got more heart than
heqd, : thought Mr.. Hufagins TO hilnaell
& - ~ 1}Iar8IS ~rnhnkn1 IND 66enare Suvftk.