Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-06-26
THE ROMANCE OF A LETTER,
CHAPTER l.

when young man, who had been sittin
with hat drawn over his brows, apparent,
thinking deeply, started up hastily thrus
his hand into his inner coat pocket, and
with an exclamation, drew out daint,
letter, addressed in feminine hand
Just as expected r. he grumbled. 90
course forgot it Why didn't think o
1t before we left Newark. l might hav,
mailed it there. Now there's nothing to d.
but to tell Clara that forgot it, And, o
course, it is important or she would neve
have hurried it off with that blot on til,
corner"
Wayerly.' called out the brakeman.
The young man arose, and, with the let
ter in hand, left the car, At this momen
a carriage containing q lady and gentle
man, drove up TO the station.
There's Willis" exclaimed the youne
man. He must be going to the city; III
get him to mail it. Hello, Willis Going
into town."
All Bennett, how are your Yes, my
wife thinks she must hear Salvini tonight
Anything | can do for your"
Why, yes; if it would not trouble you.
This letter was handed me this morning,
and, as usual forgot to mail it. 1t is quite
important, and if you'd just drop it in box
tor me I'd be greatly obliged"
Certainly. No trouble at ALL"
Mr.. Willis took the letter, put in his
inner breast coat pocket, and hurried away
to his train, which had just arrived. Charlie
Bennett passed down the board walk to his
home, feeling that the possible results of
his forgetfulness would never occur.
A week later a small company was as
sembled in Mr. Willis parlor A young
married lady who had that day found in her
husbands pocketa letter that she had given
him several days before to mail, made the
statement that she believed that every man
in the room had in his pocket missives that
he had been intrusted with and had wholly
forgotten. Mr.. Willis denied the charge
and offered to prove that, as far as he was
concerned, at least, it was an unjust accu-
sation.
One by one, he emptied his pockets of
letters, which were all addressed to him
self, except the last delicate letter, with
tiny blot on one corner This bore the ad-
dress of Henry Milford, 123 West -
street. New York"
A look of establishment crept over his
face, followed by one of dismay, as he re-
called the day that Charlie Bennett had in
trusted him with an important letter to
mail. This must be the one, though he
had not noticed the address. Followed by
peals of laughter he fastened from the
room with an indefinite desire to do some
thing, he scarcely knew what, to rectify his
error. What should he do? Should he
harness up at this late hour and drive two
miles to Newark, just to mail this letter, or
should he walk over to the station on the
chance of finding some one going to town
Just at this moment he saw, in the moon
light, man hurrying along the walk to-
ward the station, and, recognizing q neigh
Dor, he said:
"oh, Grey. is that you? Are you going
10 town.
Eyes, am going to Boston, and l am
hurrying to catch the night train Any
thing. / can do for your
why, yes; if you will just mail a letter
for me / will be obliged. You can drop it
in box as you go along. 1t will not delay
YOU"
ooh, it will be no trouble at ALL
So, once more the letter was placed in
breast pocket and started for New York. 1t
was destined, however, to take a much
longer journey. Mr.Groy found himself
pressed for time, and, in his haste, entirely
forgot the letter Returning home one
morning, ten days later, he caught sight of
Willis taking the train for New York; The
sight Of him recalled the forgotten letter.
Stepoing to the office window he addressed
the agent who stood inside;
"a say, Smith, want you to do me q
favor. Will you give this letter to some
one who is going on the next train. 1t is
very important letter, and must be mailed
at once"
@Tll attend to it. Harris always goes in
on the next train. He'll take it,
"Tell him not to forgetit.
"Oh, he won't forget. He's always do
ing errands for somebody"
Much relieved, Mr. Grey continued home
ward, and Mr.. Smith put the letter up over
his desk where he would be sure to see it
when Mr.. Harris came. But for some rea-
son. Harris did not come. Smith, catching
sight of the letter the next morning, con-
cluded that, as he was going to town IN the
afternoon, he would not intrust it to any
one else for fear it might be forgotten. as
Grey had said it was important. The letter
was. therefore, consigned to Mr.. Smiths
booklet, lust before he went to dinner.
AS he arose from the table his wife re-
marked:
You are not going to town with that
coat on ! Leave il here, and | will sew on
those buttons while you are gone
Obedient 10 the wishes of his wife Smith
mt ON his Sunday coat, forgetting to trans
fer his papers from the old one. While
Mrs. Smith was working upon it the papers
fell TO the floor. She picked them up and
carefully laid them in a drawer. where
they remained until Smith asked for them,
several tiavs later Looking them over he
discovered the letter to Henry Milford.
Now. that is too bad! must give
this to the first person that goes to town to-
day"
reared was Charlie Bennett. 10 him Smith
went with the letter.
Bennett, | wish you'd mail this for me
ga been in NV pocket a week now.
Bennett took the letter, and, glancing
earelessly at it, recognized it as the very let
ter given him by Clara three weeks before
Where did you get this ?" he asked
rather abruptly.
7 meant to give II to Harris, but didn't see
him. Then / thought I'd mai, it myself,
and forgot it. Do you know anything about
itp I hope there's no harm done"
"Oh, | guess it's all right. only asked
because know the man to whom it IS adj
dressed. III see that 1t IS mailed
IFS a shame!' said Bennett to himself
"fbat | did not mail this when it was first
given to me. This is why Clara has been
looking so down-hearted for the last three
weeks. Poor girl Well, it viii soon be
all right now
The attempt to mail the letter was thi:
time successful, but it was not SO soon al
right, as the brother had prophesied.
THE day before Clara Bennett had giver
her letter to her brother, she had received
one signed, faithfully yours, Henry Mil
ford.n and which, after an avowal of love
had closed with these words: "If you re
ceiye this with favor give me permits
sion to come to you; and if in your hear
there is no response to my words, silence i!
the only answer desire.
CIara's answer was brief. 1t consisted o
hnt one word" Come
Henry Milford waited very patiently TO
week after sending his important letter
Rut as day after day passed and no answe
came he considered his suit as lost, and
in despair, concluded to accept an invita-
tion from an uncle to visit him on his rancl
in California
Robert Allison, an intimate friend, and |
Young lawyer, had tried in vain to dissuad
him from this step; for he knew no reason
vby Henry should become moody and de
spondent all at once, and throw up hi