The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-04-19
lT w. Az POsrMAyrEw ReLUM.

LOT the purpose OF lnveSug4tlng certain
reported crookedness. One afternoon he
reached . smail cabin, situated near a
lonely road. He stopped, intending to
get drink of water, and - he drew near
the. house was astonished At seeing Sign
board bearing the following inscription !:
Poost offs" An old fellow with q grix.
ely heard and hairy chest-displayed
as his shirt was uubattoned-came out
aud, merely nodding to the inspector, sat
down on stump. :.
How are you ?" said the Inspector,
"Torble"
Have you some fresh water handy p
Plenty nv it down there in the branch.
One Of ther boys shot my bucket all ter
pieces, an sense then halter go to the
branch wen wanter drink"
Just then q man mounted on q mule
rode up and asked Mr.. Plummer, got
any letters for met"
Yes, thar's, one here, Bill Patterson,
bat you kain't get it. Go On away from
here, or I'll make you wush You hadn't
come"
"Wush yer would give it ter me-"
Vas, and ther nigger wushed that
ther coon would come down outer ther
tree, but he didn't come"
Say, Mr.. Plummer-"
"Shut yer mouth an say nothin' an
morn that, you'd better rnosey away
from here"
The man rode off and the Inspector, ad-
dressing the postmaster, asked:
"Why didn't you give that man his
letter ?"
'Kase he worked agin me when run
for justice NV the peace"
Yes, but the Government dosen't care
anything for that"
"Reckon not, but I do."
people"
Vas, an sarve 'em, too-sarve some
Nv them like old Nick"
"My friend, am travelling post-of-
fee inspector an"
"All right, then. travel"
eff l report you to the postofice de-
partment, which shall be very apt to do,
you'll travel"
Reckon not. This establishment
b'longs ter me, and nobody's got right
ter tell me fer to get out"
How long have you been postmas-
ter?"
Bout year, reckon"
At this juncture an old fellow, eau
tiously picking his way among the
bushes, approached the postmaster, who
upon seeing him sprang to his feet and
exclaimed
Whut in thunder do you want here,
Abe Smith ?"
"Come after my paper"
Didn't l tell yer that yer KANT git
it?"
eyes, but l lowed that yer must change
yer mind"
Wall, l haint. When yer refused to
lend me yer slide an boss t'other week
l told yer that yer couldn't get nothin'
else outen this Office"
Pm er goin' ter get that paper"
"Not lessen yer a better man than /
be-"
"And that's erbout what think"
"Well, help yerse'f:"
With agility surprising for such old
men they grappled each other and began
desperate struggle. Abe Smith sue
ceeded in throwing the postmaster.
"Now," said Smith, as he begnn to
choke old Plummer, "goin' to let me have
that paper p
A gurgled eyes" came from the post
masters's throat. Smith released his hold
and suffered Plummer to get up.
WALL" said the postmaster, as he
stood brushing fragments Of leaves and
bark from his beard. l reckon I wuz
sorter mistaken in yer 1 didn't know
that yer wuz such q nice man. Come in,
Abe, an git yer paper, fur yer have earned
it like white man."
Amt thar letter for me, to? p
"Yas."
"Wall, 1 want it."
"Kain't get it, Abe. Yer ft fur thur
paper an not fur ther letter."
"Got to have it, Plummer."
"Not lessen you whip me ergain."
"B1'eve ken do it."
All right, Abe.'
They went at it again, and prsnced
around, striking at each other. Finally
Plummer struck Abe a heavy blow and
felled him; then, seating himself on the
PROSTATE man, he said:
Don't want the letter, do yer, Abe ?''
Reckon not, Plummer."
All right, come erhesd an git yer pa
When Abe had gone, the postmaster
turned to the inspector and said:
Want anything outeu me ?''
"No, l believe not"
"Ef yer had letter here and l didn't
want yer to have it yer wouldn't argy
ther pint, would yer ?''
"I don't think that l should"
"Don't want no truck with me p
"None." esa
Well, then, good-by. Got ter go in
an make up ther mail"