Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-03-04
A REGISTERED LETTER.
(FRoM THE FRENCH. }


"a wild night, Marcaille," said the
postmistress to the letter carrier who
had just come in.
"Wild, indeed, Madame Lefevre," re-
piled Marcaille, twill be bad going to
the midnight mass"
As he spoke, he shook out his old
CLOAK all white with snow, while the post
mistress sorted the letters.
There that is done" she said
s'But warm yourself before you start
ont"
Marcaille threw down his leather bag
black and shiny in spots, and came close
to the roaring stove.
He was little, wiry, tough-looking
man. His face, Drowned by sun and
wind was as wrinkled as an old apple.
His nose was a thought too red, his eyes
sparkled, his mouth was smiling; it was
a good face that called forth friendly
words and cordial handgrasps. His mus
tache had a military ferocity, and on his
blue blouse with its red collar worn
scrap Of yellow and green ribbon told all
bis past-drawn In the draft, seven
years of service, re-enlisted, petty officer,
wounded at Alma, woN&ded u Solferino,
honorably discharged. Then Marcaille
had been given the place of postman on
the Champaghole route-400 francs a
year, pension of 100 francs, making a
total of 500 francs.
And for ten years. for 500 francs, Mar
chile made twice day, morning and
evening, his round-Cize, Philemoine, lie
Vaudoux, Chatelneuf, Maisonneuve and
Siane, circuit of seven leagues in all
weathers. With his 500 francs he took
care OF q wife and four children the
eldest was six.
But Marcaile had acquired the bad
habit of little taste, as he called 1t.
In every village he had old acquaintan-
ces, almost friends. In every house he
found, in exchange for the letter he
brought, glass of wine, that seemed to
him to put strength into his heart and his
legs. His nose grew a little redder; il
even happened once that he had lost
letter, not very important one fortu
nately but it might have taught him
lesson
"Here they are, Marcaile," said Mad
anne Lefevre, 1.-TWO letters for Cize, ont
for Pillemoine, one for lie Vaudioux-
nothing for Chatelneuf."
That's good, said Marcaille. Tha
''nothing for Chatelnauf" spared him
league and half of rough walking
"For Siane.' went on Madame lie
fevre; pay attention. A registered let
ter
at is not the first
"No. but" and Madame held up
great envelope, bristling with stamps gn'
notices, beside which spread out, Xix
blots of blood, five enormous red seals.
That's worth caring for, F" said Mar
caille, laughing. Whose IS It
"For monsieur, the Mayor
"Well, it will 90 through his hands
never fear"
"Not any more than through yours,
said madame.
mo. but more Of Il will stick 10 his.
With this phiosophic reflection, Ma
eallle dropped the leltertuto his leaths
bag, which he huekled carefully. i
put on bis cloak aud opened The door
"And above ALL cried madame an
hlm " doat hegla Christmas eve g
aoan
" pout be- afraid" ani Narrallle vi
tn a mumeut 1ut af sight
lhr eald plnehel ibarply o. pies
EH4 WlnA Blow Wp liitlo WhiflnauA
uae iIY aanw MAfDAIla logged ala
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NaI HHHh lhsIslmss A maalhf
Nf tN clad "a f'aas "a aafnHf uHN 81
Ell fhne Ha lhssa ehl assa aNfaIas
uH. HlNNlH I.l tHllaaI
GaHaI
Nalaa HHI