The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-04-17
miscellaneous.
THE SQUIRE'S PEROUISITES.

at ought to be here by this time" said the
postmaster of Darcy, as he shuffied in from
taking squirting view through his fist down
the turnpike"
"Well. can't wait. Ifany one 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 announced the ap-
proach Of the mail, the postmaster felt called
upon to vindicate his own position by censure
of the mail carrier, who clambered slowly out
of the dilapidated old buggy called the
'stage"
"You must have a powerful heavy mail
you're so long getting here" he began.
always have heavy mail when Bily's
aboard" said Uncle Billy Tate, winking as
he entered with his usual deliberation and
threw the mail pouch with a circular motion
over the counter and around behind the
small cluster of boxes known as the Darby
postoffice.
"That may be all So" said the squire, shut
the people of this town don't feel obliged to
wait all day on Government official, on no
solder ground than his being fat and his horse
lean. This office is run for the people, not
for people, and they want their news on
time"
1.-THE news'll keep" said one.
"An'the SQUIRREL never let his perkisites
spoil layin," remarked another, with a
wink.
These frequenlers of the combination viii
lage store and postoff1ce knew that the squire
at least wanted the news; and it was no Sc
cret that the newspapers and postal cards
that came in the mail for the families living
on the outlying hills gave him an opportun-
ity for supplying his wants-an opportunity
not enjoyed by the less favored residents.
In reality the squire had rejoced over the
fact when he took the Office, looking upon it
as one of the perquisites of the position, and
prerequisites" he always had an eye upon.
He had always reasoned that any one had
a right to make good thing when he could.
If he had better chance than most people
for news. why, if there was anything to be
made out of it, who had better right to use
il?
He distributed the matter among the boxes
with great elaboration, and entered the sit
ting room adjoining the store as soon as the
crowd had departed. He slipped postal
card into his wife's hand.
"Perkinses coming, Shiny"
In very short time his wife thrust her
head into the store.
why, 1t doesn't concern us; there's no
news on it," she said with evident disappoint-
ment. "What of it ?" she questioned, as she
slid back to the Office and reached up to place
the postal card among the P's.
"I'll put that card up, Shiny. Just you
leave it down there. So you think that isn't
news, and don't concern usP We'll, reckon
it does. You wait till 1 get this mackerel
kit down cellar"
Presently he came up from the cellar
"Isn't it eleven miles to Perkins'sp" he ask
ed.
"And isn't Raj free as water with his mon
ey? The man that takes 'em up there's GO
ing to get paid for it, and I'm going to be
that man."
"You! Why, DanI, where's your rother
horse and your wagoni"
"I've thought that out. Fry's mare for
half dollar, and Jobs big wagon another, and
III clear a full five on it."
"But Jake'll 60 after 'em, sure, if he gets
wind of it,"
"Just so! Butts he's got to get wind of it.
To-dsy's Monday, and Pm thinking he won't
get that card before Thursday. See ?"
"La, yes; see, but don't you go to doing
anything against the law, Dan'l."
"Well, tisn't against the law" The card
was whisked among some papers as a custo-
mer entered.
Thursday morning found the squire at the
early train, but there was no one there an
swering to the Perkinses' relatives.
perhaps the folks you are looking for will
come on the night express" said the conduc-
tor, of whom he inquired. THAT'S due at
six"
"At six o'clock it'll be dark" he unused,
"and they'll pay almost any price to get there.
I'll wait but what ails the horses foot?"
Inspection proved that the borrowed ami
NAL had cast a shoe, which had to be set.
Then he had to have crackers and cheese for
the day of waiting but night and the express
came at last, aud no Perkinses upon it
"Well, it's queer, mighty queer y unused
the squire, as he drove slowly homeward
They said Thursday, and here It's Thursday
night-Whoa-pw
He had run full into wagon which was
being driven along the dark road. By the
light of a match he discovered a badly
wrenched wheel.
"You come, Dan1?"
1t was late when his wife peered out into
the gloom as he stumbled in out of the dark
Yes, l have, and that's more than other
folks haver r he answered gruffiy.
didn't Rats folks conner"
"No, they didn't, and don't see what folks
want TO be writing to make folks traipse
round after them for like this, all for nothing
Anybody been for the mail?"
mo, DuG man 8 Deen mere 10 Duy the old
gray, and he said that he guessed, seeing
that neither you nor the horse was here, he'd
back down."
"Jimminettyl If l didn't forget I'd sci
the day. There's the last chance gone to get
rid of Bob. tell you, Shiny, those Perkin.
ses ought to pay me for this I'll be out nigh
three dollars before l get through with tina,
wheel business" he groaned. "And all be.
cause they didn't come up to their word"
Next day, after the squire had distributed
the mail, Jacob Perkins entered the store.
"Hello, squire! What's the matter with
Uncle Sam this week?'
Uncle Sam?" the squire asked somewhat
agitated. Did Perkins know anything about
that postal?
eyes, he's powerfully behind time. l
don't know but Uncle Billy'd had the apo
plexy orhis horse'd got choked by an extra
oat, and Government he'd stopped accordin'ly.
l ought to have had postal from me-
phew Raj last Monday"
"Perhapsit got delayed. Lots ofnew men
in the service, and Darby's out in the coun-
try Mouho thotro 70