The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-04-17
HIS PERQUISITE.
Why the Squire Doesn't Keep as
Well Posted as Formerly.

=llll JllC BOoIlhdobNl VI LCui w. do AlO
shuffled in from taking a squirting
'gicw through his fist down the turn
pike"
''Well, can't wait II anything
comes, send it up" Jake Perkins
picked up his molasses-jug and went
out.
The Darby mail was late: and when,
a few minutes later, some one an
nounced the approach of the mall the
postmaster felt called upon to vindicate
his own position by censurc of the mail
carrier, who climbed slowly out Of the
ciilapidatcd old buggy called the
stage"
You must have a powerful heavy
mail, you're so long getting here" he
began.
Always have a heavy mail when
Billy's aboard" said Uncle Billy Tate,
winking as he entered with his usual
elaboration and threw the mail pouch
with Il circular motion over the counter
and around behind the small cluster of
boxes known as the Darby post Office.
That may all be So" said the squire,
but the people of this town don't feel
obliged to wait all day on a govern
mcnt official, on no soldier ground than
his being fat and his horse lean This
Office is run for tie people, not for
people, and they want their news ON
time"
The ncUrs'n keep said one.
An the squire'l never let his per-
kisitcS spoil a-layin'," remarked an
other, with a wink.
These frcquenters of the combine
ton village store and post office knew
that the squire at least wanted the
news; and it was no secret that the
newspapers and postal cards that came
in the mail for the families living on
the outlying hills gave him an oppor-
tunity for supplying his wants-an OPP
portunity not enjoyed by the less
favored residents.
In reality the squire had reioiccd
over this fact when he took the Office,
looking upon it as one of the pcrquisitcs
of the position, and Prerequisites" he
always had an eye upon.
He had always reasoned that anyone
had right to make good thing when
ne could If he had a better chance
than most people for news, why, if
there was anything to be made out of
1T, who had better right to use it!
He distributed the matter among the
boxes with great elaboration and en-
tered the sitting-room adjoining the
store as soon Us the crowd had departed.
He slipped postal card into his wife's
hand.
''Perkinscs coming, Shiny"
In a very short time his wife thrust
her head into the store
why, it don't concern us; there's no
news on it," she said, with evident dis
appointment What OF it?" she ques-
toned, as she slid back to the office
and reached up to place the postal card
among the P's
In put that card up, S'liny. Just
you leave it down there. SO you think
that isn't news, and don't concern us,
We'll, | reckon it does. You wait till
ret this mackcrcl kit down cellar"
Presently he came up from the cellar.
Isn't it eleven miles to Pcrllins?" he
asked. And isn't Raj free as water
with his monay? The man that takes
Hem up there's going to get paid for it,
and I'm going to be that man"
You! Why, DanI, where's your
&'othcr horse and your wagon?"
I've thought that out. Fry's mare
for half-dollar, and Jobs big wagon
another, and III clear full five on it,"
But Jallell go after EN-, sure, if he
gets wind of it."
just SOL But he's got to get wind of
it. To-days Monday, and I'm thinking
he won't get that card before Thursday.
.Sec?"
La, yes, see, but don't you go to
doing anything against the law, Dan1."
We'll, 'tisnt against the law to for
get" The card was whiskcd among
some papers as 4 customer entered.
Thursday morning found the squire
at the early train, but there was no one
there answering to the Perkins rela-
lives.
Perhaps the folks you are looking
for will come on the night express"
.snid the conductor, of whom he in
<quired. That's due at six"
AT six o'clock it'll be dark" he
'znused, land they'll pay almost any
price to get there. I'll wait; hut what
.ails that horses foot?"
inspection proved that the borrowed
animal had cast shoe, which had 20 be
set Then he had to have crackers and
cheese for the day of waiting; but night
and the express came at last and no
Pcrkinses upon it.
well, it's queer. mighty queer"
unused the squire, as he drove slowly
homeward. They said Thursday, and
here It's Thursday night-Whoa-p!"
He had run full into wagon which
was being driven along the dark road.
BY the light of match he discovered
RI badly wrcnchcd wheel
you come. Dan'l?"
It was late when his wife peered out
into the gloom as he stumbled in out of
the dark.
Eyes, | have. and that's more than
Gother folks have!" he answered, grully.