The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-09-10


bend In the road that she sank dow
exhausted upon q grassy knoll, ant
tanning herself with her Over-skirt
gasped for breath.
GOOD gracious ! Amt glad Johi
Dame can't see me now II an oll
woman nigh seventy didn't walk of
like young gal of sixteen, he'd bt
scared out of his wits %
After several minutes rest, she pur
sued her way at more leisurely pace
1t was cooler which made 1t easier Il
walk. The post-ofiice like many coun
try postrOffices occupied one corner o.
q store, and the postmaster passed Out
letters In his official capacity, and
weighed sugar as private Individual
Sometimes one capacity got in the way
of the other capacity as tonight
When Matildy Dame entered the door
several men were lounging on the
steps outside and more were distributed
about on the counter, barrels and
boxes inside. The postmaster himself
was in his private capacity, drawing
molasses In the far end of the store
He glanced over his shoulder as she
entered, however, and nodded. "Good
evening, Miss Dame"
"BilI, just step inside and hand her
a letter out o. box forty-three," he said
to one of the loungers.
Bill promptly obeyed "a letter for
we, Missis Dame"
I But where's the paper? Didn't
the paper come ?" she inquired, finger
ing the envelope anxiousiy.
! Didn't her paper come ?" asked
the man. "Any of you got Misses
Dame's paper ?" glancing about among
+ the loungers, many of whom were
| devouring the news from papers the
postmaster had carefully slipped out
OF their wrappers and kindly loaned
them.
mo, her paper didn't come" the
postmaster answered. coming to the
front Of the store aud setting his pail
of molasses upon the counter. There's
a lot of them didn't come this time"
"Johnll be so disappointed J" and
Matildy's voice quavered. What do
you s'pose has happened? It's always
here regular Friday night"
"P'raps the letter tells something
about it," the man addressed as Bill
suggested.
The postmaster shook his head at
him over Matildy's shoulder, but the
words were said.
Sure enough, maybe it does"
Matildy said eagerly, II amt no idea
who it can be FROM" and she uervously
tore off one corner of the envelope.
Here, Mr.. Simmons, you read it to
me-" handing it to the postmaster.
~ never brought my glasses"
cts addressed. to Mister Dame,"
the postmaster hesitated. Maybe he
won't like it,
John not like it-fudgo |" said
Matildy. "Just read it, please"
The postmaster, still hesitating,
finished tearing the envelope across.
He cleared his throat, glance nervously
about the room, and began;
"Mr. John Dame, Milburn Centre
Dear Sir -"
He paused, here, and glanced at Ma
tildy.
"Go on" she said impatiently. The
postmaster gulped something down in
his throat and continued his reading.
The task was evidently distasteful to
him.
I'VE have just purchased tho Brigh-
ton News Of its former owners, and are
going over our subscription list with
view to retaining only those sub
scribers whose papers are paid to the
present year. We find your paper
owing for twenty years back, and have
arrearage and one years subscription
in advance, we shall be pleased to put
your name again upon our list. We
intend to run our business on a strictly
cash basis, with pay in advance, in
all cases.
Yours truly,
The postmaster had read it slowly at
first, but as he went on with the read.
ing, he hurried the words after one
another, so they were scarcely dis
tinguishable But Matildy understood
what it all meant, even though she did
there white and immovable. Her thin
old face seemed suddenly frost-bitten,
as well-kept apple exposed to the
frost, with all it's little lines fixed and
accumulated. For moment she stood
silent, looking at the postmaster, who
strove to gaze off into infinity. Then
she said stiffly:
"Thank you, Mr.. Simmons. Good
night to you al, !" including the several
loungers, who were listening pity
ingly.
"Here's the letter." and the post.
master followed to the door handing it
to her.
Poor old soul' Completely exhaust
ed of mind and body che crept slowly
along muttering to herself broken SEN
tence1 as she went.
The only pleasure John had in life
and that is taken away from him
What'll tell him? When he sees 1
haven't got it with me, he'll know
something is the matter, and 'twould
kill him to tell him. He's watched
for that paper every week for twenty
years now. and he's read it over and
over, advertiseme and all, until the
| next one come. o John John !!
Whatll you ever do without it," and
the despairing woman wrung her
hands us she sped along the darkening
road. The way had seemed 80 long
| when coming, and now 1t was 80 short
lin few moments the little old
house would be in sight, the gate would
click, and the helpless, patient figure
on the porch would eagerly stretch
! out his white thin hands to her for
the paper, and she must disappoint
him. She stopped and waited, leaning
heavily against u pile OF wood that was
piled up along the road, she walked
slower and slower, she even turned
and retraced her steps, but the thought
that John would be worrying about
her, caused her to turn back again
She must go on and tell him some
thing. She braced herself for the
effort, and with every nerve strained
hurried on.
The moon was at its full, its mellow
light slanting across the green field,
| IN eithar aide making them tn riya