The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-08-22

"a ~ leaning over the
u counter, c n m
flating big leather mail bag that lay
before him, with such an abstracted
manner and expression that he failed
to hear the inquiry, and Andy was
obliged to repeat it.
Then the postmaster looked up with
start and swept his eye over the
pigeon holed case at his side.
''No, Andy, the paper amt here
yet" he said. 81 reckon I'm sort OF
absent minded to-day, for 1 didn't
hear you come in"
Nothing the matter, 1 hope?" asked
Andy.
"Well, yes, to tell the truth, there
is" replied Mr.. Brydon, striking his
hand heavily on the mail pouch. 'I'm
in bad fix to-day, or rather Jake
Carter is, fur it's his responsibility,
not mine. You see, he was took sick,
all of sudden, this dinner time, and
here lies the mail for Marsh Run. 1t
ought to have started a good two hours
ago, but I can't find soul that's will
ing to take it. IL seems as though
there was nobody about to-day. I
promised Jake I'd find some one if
could. Poor fellow! pity him; he's
awfully worried about it, an no Won
der; for if he makes mess OF it, the
Government will take the contract
away from him purity quick wanted
him to do it, added the postmaster,
jerking his thumb toward figure sit
ting on soap box in the rear end of
the store, "but he says he's got to go
to Yocumtown on business"
Al this the figure rose, revealing the
tall, ungainly limbs and familiar
features OF Liant Kennedy.
"That's straight" he said. 'I've
got to so ter Yocumtown afore even
ing, or I'd willingly oblige you, Mr..
Brydon, an Jake Carter, too, for I
amt got no grudge agin him, not me. +"
'I'm sure don't know what to do"
muttered the postmaster, hopelessly.
''Thcre amt even horse and buggy
in the neighborhood, or might man
age to get away myself.
Andy turned aside and exchanged
few whispered words with his com
panion.
''Mr. Brydon," said he, suddenly,
"suppose you let me and Joe take the
mail pouch down to Marsh Run. Jake
Carter has always been a good friend
to MS boys, and it's no more than right
that we should do him favor when
we get the chance"
IL reckon you'll do" he said, as he
came from behind the counter and put
on his hat '1'll just run over min
ute and relieve Jack Carter's mind.
Itll do him heap of good. Ill come
right back, and then you can start at
once-that is, if you're ready"
"If we ant, we soon will be-" said
Andy. "Joe, run over home and tell
your folks you're gong, and ask your
little brother to tell my folks. There
ant any use in tramping mile out
home and back. I'll stay here and
tend store" lr
"Al right" assented Joe. 'I'll get
Ted to go over to your house. 1t
won't be more than five minutes till
I'm back"
He passed out of the door behind
the postmaster, and they had hardly
gone when Liant Kennedy took his
leave also, nodding slightly to Andy
''Going to Yocumtown, are you,''
muttered the latter to himself, as
Kennedy shufied down the road.
"You'd better go tell that to the ma
rines, for don't believe it. You've
been in bad humor ever since Jake
Carter got the contract for carry
in the mails, by putting in a less bid,
and you'd like to see him lose it, too.
Got no grudge against Jake Carter.
have you? Oh, ] know you, Liant
Kennedy. Ha hal" Hllt
Andy threw back his head and in.
dulged in hearty laugh. He was
still smiling when the postmaster came
back in company with Joe Bostwick,
but he did not think it necessary to
mention the cause of his mirth, noI
did the others observe it.
'It made Jake Carter heap better
when ! told him." said the postmas
ter. "'Heaven bless them boys ht
said to me-" .,-,...r.,.'..
otis all right, andy" exclaimed
Joe. ''Teddy'll go over to your hous,
as soon az he had his supper.
brought Tiger along for company.
Tiger was mottled brown and whit,
hound, with ferocious expression
and short stump of q tail--the res
of it had been bitten of by playful
bulldog, when Tiger was quite an in
FAM, He had tremendous reputa
tion for prowess among. the villag