Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-03-20
THE SQUIRE'S PERQUISITE.

at ought to be here by this time, Z"
said the postmaster of Darby, as he
shuffied in from taking a squirting view
through his fist down the turnpike.
Well, can't wait If anyone comes,
send it up" Jake Perkins picked up
his nlOlasses jug and went out
The Darby mail was late; and when,
q few minutes later, some one an
nounced the approach 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 diapidated old buggy called the
stage"
you must have a powerful heavy
mail, you're 90 Ioi G getting here," he
began.
Always have a heavy mail when
Billy's abroad, said Uncle Billy Tate,
winking as he entered with his usual
deliberation and threw the mail pouch
with circular motion over the counter
and around behind the small cluster of
boxes known as the Darby postoffice.
THAT may ali be so, said tile squire,
&but the people of this town don't feel
obliged to wait all day on Government
official, on no soldier 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.
the news'lI keep, said one.
AN the squire'll never let his per-
kisites spoil layin', remark d another,
with wink.
These frequenters of the combination
village store and postoffice knew that
the squire at least anted the news: and
it was no secret that the new spapers and
postal cards that came in the mail for
the families living ON the outlying hills
gave him an opportunity for sup, lying
his wants-an opportunity not enjoyed
by the less favored residents.
In reality the squire had rel )iced over
the fact when he took the office, look
ing upon it as one of the perquisites Of
the position, and "perquisites he always
had an eye upon.
He had always reasoned that any one
had a right to make a good thing when
he could. If he had better chance
than most people for news, why, If there
was any thing to be made out of it, who
had a better right to use it5
He distributed the matter among the
boxes with great deliberation, and en-
tered the sitting room adjoining tile
store as soon as the crowd had departed.
He slipped postal card into his wife's
hand.
"Perkinses coming, S'liny.
In 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
al pointment @What Of it?" she ques-
toned, as she slid back to the office and
reached up to place the postal card
among the P'a
~Pll put that card up, Sliny. Just
you leave it down there. So you think
that isn't news, aud don't concern usl
Well, l reckon it does. You wait till /
get this mackerel kit down cellar.
Presently he came up from the cellar.
Isn't it IL miles to Perkins's he asked,
"And isn't Raj free az water with his
money! The man that takes 'em up
there's going to get paid for it, and I'm
going to be me that man.
-Youl Why, Dan'l, where's your
tother horse and your wagon2"
-Pve thought that out Fry's mare
for half dollar, and Jobs Big wagon
another. and I'll clear a full five on it. {"
But Jake'll go after 'en, sure, il he
gets wind of it. !"
Just sol But he's got to get wind of
it. To-day's Monday, and Tn thinking
he won't get that card before Thursday.
Seer"
La, yes; see. but don't you 90 to
doing anything against the law, DanI- I"
Well, 'tisn't against the law. The
card was whisked among some papers
as a customer entered.
Thursday morning found the squire at
{ early train, but there was no one
there answering to the Perkinses' rela.
tivea
Perhaps the folks you are looking for
win come on the night express" !" said
the conductor, of whom he inquired,
That's due at six.
AT six o'clock it'll be dark, I" he mused.
aand they'll pay almost any price to get
there. Ill wait; but what ails that
horses foot?D
Inspection proved that the borrowed
animal had cast 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. and no
Perkinses upon I'll
Well, it's queer. mighty queerl"
unused the squire. a. he drove slowly
homeward. They said Thursday. and
here It's Thursday night whoa-pl"
He had run full into a wagon which
was being driven along the dark road.
Bv the light Of match he di covered q
lady wrenched wheel.
~Ynr. xao.,ao Tm,xsGaw