Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1893-02-23
A REGISTERED LETTER.
(FRoM TIE FRENCH y

"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 ont his old
CLOAK all white with snow, while the post
mistress sorted the letters.
There that is done" she said.
"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.
lie was a little, wiry, tough-looking
map. His face, Drowned by sun and
wind, was as wrinkled as an old apple.
His nose was thought too red, his eyes
sparklcd, his mouth was smiling; it was
good face that called forth friendly
! words and cordial handgrasps. His mus
tache had military ferocity, and on his
blue blouse with its red collar a worn
scrap of yellow and green ribbon told all
his past-drawn IN the draft, seven
years of service, re-enlisted. petty officer,
wounded at Alma, wounded at 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, q circuit of seven leagues in all
weathers. With his 800 francs he took
care OF a wife and four children; the
eldest was six.
But Marcaille had acquired the bad
habit of little taste" as he called it.
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 little redder; it
even happened once that he had lost a
letter, not very important one fortu-
nately, but it might have taught him a
lesson.
"Here they are, Marcaille," said Mad
anne Lefevre, 1.-TWO letters for Cizc, one
tor Pillemoine, one for lie Vaudioux-
nothing for Chatelncuf.
That's good" said Marcaile. That
nothing for Chatelnauf" spared him a
league and half OF rough walking.
"For Siane." went on Madame Le-
fevre; "pay attention! A registered let
ter"
'Tt is not the first"
"No. but" and Madame held up O
great envelope, bristling with stamps und
notices.. beside which spread out, like
blots of blood, five enormous red seals.
That's worth caring for, )" said Mar
caille, laughing. "Whose is it Z"
"For monsieur, the Mayor"
"Well, it will go through his hands,
never fear"
mot any more than through yours" "
said madame.
"No, but more of it will stick to his. u
With this philosophic reflection, Mar
caille dropped IT, letter into his leather
bag, which he buckled carefully. He
put on his cloak and opened the door.
"And above ALL" cried madame after
him, " don't begin Christmas eve toe
soon !"
Don't be afraid! T" and Marcaille wa:
In moment out of sight.
Inc cOlu pincucu sndrpiy, thc pieIc'
ing wind blew up little whirlpools Of
fine, dry snow. Marcaille logged along
briskly, muttering:
mot much Christmas A mouthfu
for six and glass of water Bnt, afteI
all, there are those who have nothing"
Hullo, Marcaile !" cried suddenly {
rough voice.
Marcaille turned.
"A glass of wine?" said the voice.
Hum grumbled Marcaille to him
self, attention, registered letter." Then
aloud, 'T'm late now; no, thank your
The window of the pineapple" pub
lie house, which had opened, closet
again, and Marcaille, proud of the victor.
over himself, went whistling out OF tn
village.
This was indeed courage. To refuse
n glass of wine in such weather, wher
he had still three good leagues up thu
mountain before him. But how ligh
he felt when he proudly resumed hi
journey. He felt light, but his bal
seemed heavier than ever. Neve
had 1t weighed so upon his shoulders.
| seT~hia rascallv ba0 - he 0rumbled