The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1886-09-23

was tall, overgrown, and sixteen, with
prevailing consciousness that my hands
and feet were very large, and the added
mystery, in the case of the former mem
bers, that they were always red, and
never knew what to do with them in
company. Twas making visit at grand
mothers delightful, old-fashioned coun-
try home, when one morning the dear
old lady called me to her.
Here is something for you, Jim," she
said; an invitation to children's party
at Mrs. Edwards"
"Children's party!' l repeated, proba-
bly, with-a shade of scorn in my voice, az
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, I should
have said. Mrs. Edwards daughter
Florence is fourteen, and Tom Byrne
aud all the boys-young men, should
say" with twinkle of amusement, "will
be there"
had s%oy yndey ey pnsg p%sggxngs ii ha, ;aeVa ys
very much afraid of girls, though begin
ming to admire them as mysterious and
fascinating beings. However, accepted
the invitation, as found that ali 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 a large parlor,
very unhappy because of my arms and
hands, which would by no means arrange
themselves in any graceful or becoming
manner, and extremely bashful, but full
of admiration for lovely black-eyed girl,
about year younger than myself, whom
l knew to be Tom Byrne's sister.
She sat some distance from me, but
she had given me a 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 a quiet charac-
ter, such as "Twenty Questions"
"Proverbs," etc, so that had no oppor-
tunity of approaching Mabel, who show
ed herself very brilliant in her questions
and answers during the progress of these
intellectual amusements.
"Then somebody suggested that we
should play post Office
"Post office! What is that? How do
you play it ?" l whispered to Tom Byrne,
my next neighbor.
"Don't you know how to play post
Office p he asked, with scorn at my ig-
norance "Oh, well, suppose you city
fellows don't know anything"
Il never heard of this" l 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
if she says one cent you have to kiss her
once"
"Oh !" said l.
eyes," said Tom, and you kiss her
twice for two cents, and three times for
three cents. It's quite fun if it's a pref
ty GIRL" he added judiciously.
I" suppose So" | replied vaguely.
"But forgot to tell you," he added,
eff she says postage not stated then
you kiss her as often as you like. Hush
they are going to Begin
To be sure one of the oldest boys was
appointed postmaster, and one girl after
another went out into the entry, each
presently knocking at the door, asking
for letter, whereon the boy called for
sheepishly followed her into the hall, and
to Judge from the sounds of screaming
and scuffiing which generally followed,
paid his postage under considerable diff
ficulties
watched the game in state of be-
wildered alarm. What if girl should
call for me ! But no one did, and was
disappointed, half relieved, that was ex-
empt. when at last it was Mabel Byrne's
turn to 60 out
She left the room with lovely blush
on her beautiful face. The door was sol
emnly closed upon her, and then, after a
brief pause, there was a faint knock.
| The postmaster opened the door a few
inches.
"What do you want ?" he asked.
"There is a letter here" he replied.
"For whom?"
"For Mr.. James Hill"
"How much to pay?"
"Postage not stated" was the faint
reply.
They all laughed loudly and looked at
me, for that was my name. The blood
rushed in crimson floods to my face. l
got on my feet somehow, and with my
heart .orn between wild desire to 60
into that hall and wish to sink utterly
away from human kind / stumbled out OF
the room.
The door was closed behind me and |
found myself almost in total darkness, as
the hall was but dimly lighted. paused
moment and then l heard the faint
sound of quick breathing; another heart
was beating violently as my own. For
once in my life knew what to do with
my arms. caught hold of her, l scarce
ly know how. The darkness gave me
the courage and held her in close clasp
and pressed my lips to her cheek IN three
or four rapid, halffrightened kisses, be-
fore she could free herself from my en-
brace.
"There, there Mr. Hill," she said, with
faint merry laugh, "don't be so bashful
again. I'm sure you are bold enough
noww
"Have paid my postage ?" I stam-
mered.
"Indeed, yes; enough and to spare.
Come, let US 90 to the parlor."
She led me in willing prisoner, and
the rest of the evening I was her bound
slave her partner in all games, her com.
panion in the dance (wherein | excelled
the country boys and glorifed in my ac-
complishment), and, at last, crowning de-
light OF the evening, her escort home.
This was all. The next day | returned