The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-18


nessi" he groaned. And all because
they didn't come up to their word"
Next day, after the squire had dis
tributed the mail, Jacob Perkins en-
tered the store.
Hello, squirrel What's the matter
with uncle Sam this week2"
"Uncle Samp" the squire asked, some
what agitated. Did Perkins know any
thing about that postalp
Eyes, he's powerfully behind time.
l didn't know but Uncle Billy d had
the apoplexy or his horse d got choked
by an extra oat, and government he'd
stopped accordin'ly. 1 ought to have
had n postal from nephew Raj last
Monday"
perhaps it got delayed. Lots of new
men in the service, and Darby's out in
the country. Maybe that's it."
He handed out the card with an effort
at unconcerned indifference.
"I should say 'twas-and the day
after ther fair. If I'd got it when I
ought he wouldn't we had to got a
livery and express wagon to bring 'em
all up and their trunks"
"Heyl Raj Gomez" the squire ex'
claimed
"Bag and baggage, Tuesday, JUST as
he wrote he would"
TUESDAY! You sure it was Tues.
dayP"
The squires surprise had got the
better of his discretion.
"See for yourself. It's plain as day.
light"
"Why, isn't that an in there?" The
squire pointed to the word as he viewed
it through his glasses.
mo, sir! You amt so used to Rats
writing as we are"
Perkins laughed, knowing the
squire's curiosity. GAS / was saying,
if I'd have known it in time I'd have
got you to go after em-I was working
so like beaver, and theOroads are bad
You might as well have had that ten
dollars Raj threw away on the livery
fellers-an' better, too. 1 told him SO.
"S'linyl'
"Why what's the matter, Dan'l?'
his wife asked lin rising accents ot
alarm as he put his head in at the door
a few moments after Perkins de
parture a woe-begone expression on
his face. "One of your attacks com
ing Qn?"
"Sliny, the Perkinses have come
the whole family"
"Land sakesl" She bounced up in
dignantly. "When?"
Tuesday" he answered, slowly ant
solemnly. "Just what that postal said
too. Here we both of us had that thing
here since Monday, and read it Thurs
day every time. And if I'd been at
tending to my own business I'd "a
made ten dollars. AS It's I'm out o.
pocket instead of in"
"1t's mortal shame!" she exclaimed
sympathetically. Folks ought to stor
writing cards if they can't write 'en
plain enough to be read straight.
"Well, L can tell you what's right
now" He sat down impressively or
the nearest nail keg. eff this govern
ment expects I'm going to spend my
time making out its postal cards to get
news, it's going to find itself much mis-
taken, that's ALL"
He went back to the post Office will
| MS new ueUermlndUlOn ana ueJeCbeC
air. His perquisite had lost its value
and such open communications in Uncle
Sans mail were thereafter passed by
unnoticed When his lessened stock Of
information became a matter of com
ment, as occurred very soon, he hat
but one explanation.
"News," he declared, isn't to be de
pended on"
But to S'liny he remarked: cts los
ing business attending to other folks
affairs without being asked"
So it is a question whether his dis
astrous speculation ever forced upor
him a conviction of the truth in Jake
Perkins opinion, delivered to Raj will
a knowing chuckle:
"The squire hain't got as much of ;
nose for news as he had fore he got hi!
Consequences reckon he's learned
that his 'perkisites' pay best wher
they're taken on the square. ."-Saral
Bierce Scarboro ugh, in Youths Com
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