Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1888-03-16

and addressed to the Countess Amelia
being under the seat could not bribe
the mail carrier, as | had onIs twenty
frances in my pocket. | intended to
make final appeal to the po-tmaster
at Var. and if successful, return at
once to Paris. The more | thought
of this plan the more | became con-
vinced it would not work. Var was
only a few miles from the villa Of the
countess. You know what gossiEs tn St
country people. In few days at most
the countess would hear that strange
gentleman from PARIS, without any
baggage EXCEPT gold headed cane.
had arrived at Var and had obtained
from the postmaster IA letter addressed
to her. From the description she would
know who it was. That would never
do. | learned that half an hour
after the mail arrived at Var, letter
carrier set out on foot with the mail
for the villa of TIE countess and the
immediate vicinity | determined to
get my letter from the carrier by hook
or crook.
That was a nice way to get to the
penltentiary.
| knew that we'll enough, but rath-
er than have Amelia read the letter to
Louisa | was willing TO take any risks.
On our arrival at Var the bag con-
taini2g my letter was turned over to
the postmaster. | went to the local
tavern and got square meal | saw
the letter carrier start out On the road
to Amelia's villa | joined him, and
We soon became quite familiar. He
was a dull, stupled peasant. | had a
small flask with ME, and, after taking
Il small drink myself,h he took healthy
pull at it. | encouraged him in his
debauchery, and in passing through
Il village | set 'em up again. After
two more pulls at the flask he was
beautifully drunk, land staggered help
rssly./ Coming to gully, | tripped
him up. He fell like log. y mo-
ment more and, under the pretext Of
helping him up, | had opened the bag
aud secured that long sought letter
and showed it into my pocket. | heard
"a noise, and looking up | saw q dog
cart. There was a lady driving, | felt
myself turning pale all ovet, for the
lady was none other than the Countess
Amelia herself. She recognized me,
but at first she WAS too as,onlshed to
speak. thought to myself: old boy,
If you have got any presence Of mind,
now is your time to show it,
Great God :" screamed Amelia,
"what has happened: How do you
come &c DC il this condition jacques !:
Amelia, do You believe in omens
Night b fore last while | Was writing
10 you. | heard you call my name three
times
AS | said this tears ran down my
cheeks, for | had caught fearful cold
and pulling out my handkerchief to
wipe my eyes, out dropped that accurs.
ed letter. grabbed it and again shov-
ed it into my pocket.
You heard me call your name JAG
ques ?. asked Amelia, her eyes as large
As saucers, with amasement.
Yes, Amelia, and | left on the next
train, just dressed as was, to come to
you. thought it was one Of those
mysterious warnings that notify peo-
pei Of the death ol loved ones, and,
Amelia. oh, how | love you!" aud
here | dropped down in the mnd on
my knees. The rest of the story is
short continued Jacques. Ameia's
eyes filled with tears at this prof OF
my devotion, and, although looked
like tramp, she asked me to get in
the dog cart with her. | did go, and
before We got to the villa she had con.
sented to become my wife. That, my
friends is the story of our marriage
| have since told my wife all about it
and she laughed until | thought she
would have hysterlc>: really thought
| should have b. send for . doctor"